SB 182 By Dan Ortiz March 22, 2014
I read with interest and concern the recent article in the Ketchikan Daily News, concerning the potential passage of S.B. 182. and the subsequent demonstration by the IBU, (Inlandboatmen’s Union), the Masters, Mates and Pilots Union. The IBEW joined the protest. As a longtime resident of southern Southeast Alaska and as candidate for the AK State House District 36, I stand with the workers and their families on this issue. With respect to Senator Dyson from Eagle River, I take exception to his comments in support of passage of this bill. Specifically, I disagree with his point that there is no reason for the Cost of Living Differential because “there currently is not a cost of living difference between Seattle and Anchorage,” That argument assumes that the bulk of Alaska Marine Highway ferry workers live in Anchorage, which they don’t. Rather they live in towns and rural areas in Alaska where the cost of living is significantly higher than Anchorage. The COLA difference between S.E. towns and other rural AK communities and Anchorage currently ranges between 4 and 18% according to the Alaska Department of Labor statistics, (June 2013) More significantly than that is the point made by longtime Ketchikan resident, Mr. Peter Lapinski, “We all work in Alaska, we buy local goods, pay rent, buy houses, food and clothes, and everything else,” meaning the money earned by Alaskan living ferry workers stays in and circulates through the Alaskan economy. I assume this was the main logic used to create the COLA in the first place. In summary, I see S.B.182 as just another example of the long- term trend of the majority south central Legislative Delegation’s intent to chip away at the very existence of Southeast Alaska’s transportation system. Has that delegation pushed forward to “hold the line” in transportation monies going towards south central Alaska infrastructure spending in recent years? Regards, Dan Ortiz Received March 21, 2014 - Published March 22, 2014 Related Viewpoint:
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