The Democratic controlled Alaska Legislature is currently weighing two proposals that will cost the state billions of dollars by drastically expanding defined benefit pensions for state employees, while flooding the education system with record-breaking funds.
To pay for this massive growth in government spending, lawmakers are seriously floating the idea of instituting a statewide tax, while further raiding the popular Permanent Fund Dividend.
Last week, the Alaska chapter of Americans For Prosperity (AFP-Alaska) hosted a group of activists in Juneau for fly-in meetings with legislators, urging them to oppose new taxes, particularly those that could result from the high costs associated with House Bill 78’s proposed defined benefit pensions, which could cost the state billions.
While in Juneau, the group shared concerns about reinstating defined benefit pension plans for state workers and the financial consequences HB 78 could bring. An AFP-Alaska-commissioned poll recently found that 62% of respondents were not confident of the state’s ability to properly manage the unfunded fiscal liabilities that a new pension plan would bring.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
The 13 people on AFP-Alaska’s trip represent the communities of Anchorage, Haines, Eagle River, Big Lake, Kenai, and North Pole. Throughout their time in Juneau, they attended more than 20 meetings with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
“It’s clear that Alaskans don’t want more taxes, posing a problem for lawmakers’ multi-billion-dollar price tag defined benefit legislation,” noted AFP-Alaska State Director Bethany Marcum. “We hope legislators will listen to Alaskans and focus on passing legislation that will empower Alaskans and not tie our state to decades of unfunded liabilities.”
AFP-Alaska will host another Juneau fly-in next month to focus on education, including opposition to the proposal in House Bill 69, which would increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA) – per-pupil funding – from $5,960 to $8,510 over three years. That’s a $1,800 jump (or 43% increase), with the added cost to the state being nearly $1.5 billion over that time span.
Americans for Prosperity – Alaska is a non-partisan grassroots policy group that seeks to advance long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems. In Alaska, the group opposes new taxes and defined benefits pensions, while supporting a state spending cap, increasing health care options and advancing educational choice for students.
TAKING ACTION
— House Bill 78, which would cost the state billions in defined benefit payouts, is currently in the House Finance Committee. Click here to contact the individual committee members, or send an email to House.Finance@akleg.gov to share concerns with all committee members.
5 Comments
President Trump issued an EO disallowing practicing any form of the WOKE agenda in any state institutes under the promise of cancelling any Federal funding for the duration while it is practiced. Can Alaska afford the lose of Federal funding?
For Peace and Prosperity in Alaska, eliminate the Permanent Fund Dividend.
Interesting,… once again.. Explain how your ideology would provide peace, and prosperity… The PFD is derived from the state’s constitutional legislation, and it is derived from the fact that,… all of the state,…and it’s resources,… belongs to the citizens of Alaska… who, by a huge majority support it… I would, once again, suggest that you address the wishes of the Alaskans, and.. continue to seek help for mental issues… BTW.. the native Alaskans also, disagree with your “peace, and prosperity” ideology….. Be sure that you didn’t secretly, apply for your PFD.
how does getting rid of the pfd get peace and prosperity??
Over the past few months have been reading and watching where different groups have been suing the Trump administration over funding and jobs and other things. I’m wondering if we citizens of Alaska can sue our state legislators over HB’s 69 and 78 to stop this out-of-pocket spending. The State Finance Committee and legislator should only pass spending bills that the state can afford not ones that future generations would have to worry about. They should also have to stop looking at the PFD for their solutions and leave the money there for the people. It’s apparent that the public school system is failing and throwing money at it isn’t the answer. When business’s fail they go out of business or reorganize, the same should go for the school system. We should be looking for the problem and fix it, not keep funding as it is. I’m sorry but state employees already receive a pension, we should not have to pay for increased benefits and many other retired people employers don’t increase their benefits why should the state.