Alaskans urge lawmakers to oppose tax hikes to grow govt. employee benefits
To pay for this massive growth in government spending, lawmakers are floating the idea of instituting a statewide tax, while further raiding the popular Permanent Fund
High cost of living makes an Alaska income tax doubly burdensome
By Jared Walczak (Tax Foundation) Alaska’s decision to forgo an individual income tax serves an important role in offsetting above-average federal income tax burdens in Alaska. At first blush, this sounds confusing. Alaskans face the same federal income tax
Gov. Dunleavy releases draft budget, blasts lawmakers for failure to stabilize state spending
Dunleavy acknowledged that this is not sustainable for the long-term and he blasted lawmakers for failing to produce a long-term fiscal plan to stabilize state finances without having to impose new taxes or annually divert Alaskan’s PFD
OPINION: Restoring old pension plan will bankrupt AK without keeping teachers or troopers on the job
We already owe nearly $7 billion in unfunded liabilities from the old pension system - roughly $46,000 per Alaskan. Reopening it would pile billions more on future generations and threaten the Permanent Fund as the inevitable funding
OPINION: Wyoming weighs nixing property taxes – Alaska should too
Wyoming has a population size similar to ours and charges a per capita property tax almost identical to Alaska’s, making it a close comparison to our state when discussing taxation. So, when their state legislature says they are considering eliminating all
OPINION: Alaska’s ‘real property’ taxes are unfair on multiple fronts
Some individuals have proposed changing how property taxes are collected. They have suggested a tax, where the home’s assessed value does not change over time, ensuring the homeowner
OPINION: Alaska education bureaucracy invokes ‘hungry children’ to justify double dipping
Few subjects can shut down a budget discussion faster than feeding kids. It’s the rhetorical trump card of education politics - invoke “hungry children,” and any criticism of fiscal waste is branded cruel. But compassion isn’t the same thing as
Eaglexit takes major step in push to politically detach from Anchorage
Eaglexit, the grassroots movement advocating for the separation of Assembly District 2 from the Municipality of Anchorage, and the incorporation as its own home rule borough, has reached a major
Rep. Begich joins fellow GOP lawmakers in voting to end shutdown
Alaska Rep. Nick Begich was among the 222 U.S. Congressmen who voted on Nov. 12 to end the country’s longest-ever government shutdown. A total of 209 lawmakers voted against reopening the government, most of them
ANALYSIS: Anchorage proposal to tax short-term rentals raises red flags
Anchorage is considering a new short-term rental tax next week. It may appear like an easy fix for housing, but it raises serious questions about fairness, effectiveness, and government
The Alaska Watchman aims to raise awareness of key issues affecting Alaskans. Coming from a broadly Judeo-Christian perspective, we are committed to the highest standards of journalism and ethical reporting.
Our reports look to inform and equip Alaskans to effectively engage the culture for the common good. Please keep your comments respectful.
NEWS TIPS
SUPPORT
© Copyright 2025 - Alaska Watchman • All Rights Reserved