Howling at the fiscal Moon By A.M. Johnson January 04, 2014
The issue: The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School board has convinced the Gateway Borough to file a law suit against the State to obtain funding that according to the suit, is guaranteed under the Alaska Constitution. That local tax base is being used to fund what in effect is a unfunded mandate by the State. This knowing there exist inequalities due to UN-organized boroughs and other mitigating circumstance. All well and good. So, then comes this bit of educational news. Within this article is the following excerpt. "The task force said that education funding should be given priority over other government programs, but still said "Alaskans shall be made aware that current education spending is not sustainable."It made few suggestions on where cuts could be made. Two prospects: Expanding boarding schools to save money on expensive-to-educate rural students; Shifting some costs to local governments." On the face of it, a lawsuit under current State budget projections may not be one of the wiser moves coming out of Ketchikan. It would seem that every dollar that is invested in a lawsuit under the fiscal cloud exposed from this House Educational committee's recommendations will be for naught . For sure a positive stance towards finding a mutual solution is the desired outcome. If one believes that their home will not ever have a fire, then the positive of that is to disband the fire department, same for community protection. A wise community fortunately does not bank on positives without preparing for contingencies. Perhaps this legislative appointed committee is unwittingly warning communities to begin looking at contingencies rather than potential last minute emotional breakdowns as the reality of economics begins to be reflected in fiscal discussions. Perhaps the unwittingly message from the appointed committee holds some forbiddance to the future of more than just Ketchikan's educational system. Thoughts of State grants for infrastructure as expressed in the January 2 2014 front page Ketchikan Daily News may come up short. It could well mean the community arts and social grants annually budgeted will be reviewed with greater intensity as the dire anticipations begin to draw water in the pool of fiscal pain. How this initial public pronouncement affects the primary ballet approved issue of Senate Bill 21 recall effort will now become a huge discussion item as the legislature deals with the projected fiscal shortfall. This writer holds no position currently on the issue of Senate Bill 21 yet believes the recall issue will drive the discussion not only on education, but the whole of who receives what and how much. In closing it will soon appear this lawsuit by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough will soon be sidelined for what it is, a lone wolf baying at the moon. At what expense? Happy New Year A.M.Johnson About: "Past Ketchikan Borough Assemblyman, Recalled Ketchikan School Board member Proudly stood the recall for the right reason." Received January 03, 2014 - Published January 04, 2014 Related News:
Viewpoints - Opinion Letters:
Representations of fact and opinions in letters are solely those of the author. Your full name, city and state are required for letter publication.
|
