I read with amazement the sayings of Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, on the income tax proposal that was defeated in the Senate. Sen. Kelly states that a state income tax is:
(1) Not good for the economy — This is ridiculous, it would keep several hundred teachers employed as well as state troopers and hundreds of other state workers needed for roads and building maintenance, etc. Employed people are good for the economy.
(2) An income tax would not be good for Alaska — A balanced budget would be great for Alaska for the maintenance of our excellent credit rating and a host of other benefits. It would also give tax payers a sense of belonging within the state and of actively participating in its growth. It also is a fair way of distributing the cost of government over the population that use the services of the government. An income tax would improve the delivery of education, public safety, health care, responsible development and many other functions, all of which would be good for Alaska.
(3) An income tax would not be good for our future — All of the above items are good for the future of Alaska, a properly functioning government delivering essential services is good, actually it’s great and something we should be getting. Denying adequate funding for needed services is not good for the future of Alaska. Schools don’t function properly, crime increases and roads and infrastructure decline rapidly.
(4) And Sen. Kelly, your statement that an income tax is not needed is blatantly wrong, it is needed, now more than ever. Please change your attitude of arrogance and ignorance and work with the people and for the people.
