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Alaska: Alaska House Finance Committee Will Spend the Week Examining Alaska’s Fiscal Dilemma –The members of the House Finance Committee in the Alaska House of Representatives announced today they will spend all week examining Alaska’s fiscal policy and how policy changes will impact the Alaska economy. The committee will hear from business, municipal, labor, and tribal representatives in addition to presentations from the Alaska Department of Revenue and the non-partisan Legislative Finance Division.

“Our Coalition has developed and passed a sustainable fiscal plan that responds to the ongoing recession and the structural issues with our revenue stream that have resulted in massive yearly deficits,” said House Finance Committee Co-chair Rep. Paul Seaton (R-Homer).

Seaton said, “This weeklong series of meetings will allow us to compare and contrast the competing fiscal plans that have passed the House and Senate. I am excited to hear from stakeholders from across the state this week to see if indeed our plan is the best choice. I believe it is because it’s complete, comprehensive, and fair.”

“We cannot afford to have a partial solution that will continue the unhealthy economic uncertainty that has deepened the recession,” said House Finance Committee Co-chair Rep. Neal Foster (D-Nome).

Foster said, “As we approach the deadline to make some monumental financial decisions, we need Alaskans to be informed and involved. Once the members of the House and Senate, the Governor, and all Alaskans can get on the same page and focus on solutions, we can ensure a stable financial future for the state we all call home.”

According to House Republicans, the several tax models they listened to today would cripple the state's economy by unfairly pinching the pockets of hardworking Alaskans. It's become apparent if House Democrats can't get all the money they want through an income tax they'll just add on other taxes, stated the House Republicans in a news release.

"It's disappointing on the 105th day of the session, we're still hearing about new ways to take from Alaskans to grow government," said Representative Lance Pruitt (R-Anchorage). "The numbers modeled today paint half a picture in order to justify an income tax. What about my neighbor who just lost his job or the Alaskan whose income just got cut in half?"

"The House Majority's dogmatic insistence on an array of new taxes, up to and including a progressive income tax is an experiment in social engineering through wealth redistribution. It isn't simply about new revenue," said Representative Tammie Wilson (R-North Pole).

During Monday's House Finance hearing, multiple tax models were reviewed, including income, sales, investment, and payroll taxes. Democrats and the Governor Bill Walker have also put forward bills to increase taxes on motor fuels and the oil and gas industry.

"Alaskans have told me they expect further spending reductions before even discussing any new revenue measures. I've focused my efforts on cutting spending, while House Democrats have focused their efforts on proposing a suite of new taxes to finance their spending increases," said Rep. Cathy Tilton (R-Chugiak/Mat-Su).

"House Democrats believe taxes will solve the state's budget deficit, yet they seem to forget Alaska's recession. During times of economic hardship, new taxes should be a last resort. Instead, our efforts should focus on increasing resource development that puts Alaskans back to work, and creating investment strategies that protect and grow our Permanent Fund principal so it can provide increased earnings and PFDs into the future," Rep. Steve Thompson (R-Fairbanks) commented.

The presentation from what the House Republicans call a left-leaning D.C. think tank, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, clearly illustrated the House Majority's commitment to a "tax and spend" philosophy. Throughout the session, House Democrats have shown no appetite to the "reasonable reductions" for which they say they're committed. - More...
Monday PM - May 01, 2017

Alaska: Senate Says Fiscal Plan Works with No New Taxes Required - The Alaska Senate Majority says a robust discussion Friday with nonpartisan legislative finance experts and members of the Senate Finance Committee has confirmed that the Senate Majority’s fiscal solution offers a glide path out of the looming deficit, without imposing new taxes on individuals and the oil industry as proposed by the House Democrat Majority and supported by Governor Bill Walker.

A sharp collapse in oil prices drove the state to deficits over the last five years. Despite significant cuts to the state budget, a $2.5 billion deficit is anticipated this year. Reserves are quickly running out, driving the need for a responsible solution.

The Alaska Senate Majority has proposed $185 million this year in budget reductions, a spending limit to keep future growth in check, and use of Permanent Fund earnings to help pay for government and a dividend. The remaining gap would be filled with responsible draws from the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR), which modeling shows can support the state’s reduced budget through the anticipated revenue shortfalls. The CBR is used, but not depleted, maintaining a healthy balance.

“The Senate has presented a plan to resolve our $2.5 billion deficit on a glide path that is safest for our economy and our state in this recession,” said Sen. Anna MacKinnon (R-Eagle River) co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Legislative Finance Director David Teal was unequivocal that the cornerstone of any fiscal solution must involve use of Permanent Fund earnings to help pay for government, which is part of the Senate Majority’s solution. Without a plan, the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) would be gone in Fiscal Year 2019, and the Permanent Fund earnings and dividends would quickly follow suit. - More...
Monday PM - May 01, 2017

Ketchikan: Kayhi Construction Class Builds New Lions' Booth - When the Ketchikan Lions' portable booth, used for events such as the annual salmon derby and Fourth of July, was in need of replacement, the Ketchikan High School Building Construction class stepped up. 

Pictured: Construction Students Josh Alquirre, Caleb Smith, Arik Huddleston, Kylee Kellog, Trish Kuhn and Crystal Hert.  Not pictured: Construction Students Seth Hudson and Chloe Faulkner.
Photo courtesy Ketchikan Lions Club

The approximately 25 year old booth was showing its age, was not weather tight or insulated and had no electrical service, which meant the computer, printer, lights and heater were fed by a jumble of extension cords and power strips.  It also had to be dragged on and off a trailer for every event. 

Previous classes had constructed some of the popular school bus stops for the Lions but this project was a bit more complicated.  Instructor Dave Zenge and his students designed and constructed the new booth onto an existing trailer frame which was provided by the Lions along with all of the materials.  The class took it from there and the result is a professional booth that is fully insulated, includes both overhead lights and electrical circuits with GFI outlets, a weather tight sliding window and a locking door. 

Ketchikan Lions President, Steve Corporon, said he was extremely impressed with the workmanship and is very appreciative of the class' efforts and stated "The booth was obviously built to last and should serve the community for years to come". - More...
Monday PM - May 01, 2017

Over the years, Gundersen has learned the ins and outs of cooking in a 4 x 7 boat galley and the result are creative, simple and delicious recipes. “The promise I try and keep with my recipes are simple, no fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients,” said LaDonna Gundersen. “I take pride in the fact, that anyone can make them, whether you’re a five-star chef or a first timer. All are a delicious addition to a cook’s repertoire of recipes.”

In the book, you’ll find classic and simple suppers including Halibut and Chips, Bacon-Wrapped Halibut, and Roasted Halibut Cheeks in Lemon Butter Sauce. On the grill dishes like Barbecued Halibut with Sundried Tomato-Basil Pesto, Grilled Haliburgers, and Grilled Halibut with Fresh Strawberry Salsa. Hearty main courses that you’ll want to serve at dinner parties like Halibut and Brie in a Puff Pastry, Halibut Enchiladas, and Halibut with Coconut-Curry and Bok Choy. And, a handful of tempting sweets like Apple Crumb Bars, French Coconut Pie, and Heavenly Key Lime Pie.

In addition, there is information about wild-caught Alaskan halibut including its life at sea, responsible management, and versatility in the kitchen, from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute as well as the health benefits of eating halibut and the history of Alaska Natives fishing for halibut using halibut hooks. - More...
Monday PM - May 01, 2017

COLUMNS - COMMENTARY

DAVE KIFFER: Just When You Thought It Was Safe to go Back in the Woods! - A while back I was Dough-splaining something to a newcomer to Our Fair Salmon City.

Yeah, you're wondering what I mean by Dough-splaining. Trust me, you've all done it.

It's when a Cheechako asks a question about Ketchikan, or Alaska in general, and you go into a lengthy, only slightly condescending, explanation that lasts until the newcomer's eye balls roll back into their head and they lose the will to live collapsing  in a pathetic heap on the sidewalk.

You have engaged in Sourdough-splaining.

You. Have. All. Done. It.

Because to the newcomer the question seems simple, but as nothing is simple in "The Last Frontier" and everything requires a lengthy dis-plain-ation.

But, as usual, I digress.

The Cheechakette was curious about the concept that there are things in our world that can be dangerous.

Sure, she was from a big city and was used to things like convenience store stabbings, drive by shootings and buses running over people at bus stops.

But she was having a real hard time wrapping her head around the idea that someone could step out from the friendly confines of the First City and run into trouble with Nature.

You know the type. 

Raised on "Nature" as portrayed by Walt Disney and the Sierra Club. Nature as a wondrous, beautiful thing that you can just wander into and out of as safely as the frozen food aisle at Safeway. - More...
Monday PM - May 01, 2017