Rep. Justin Parish found a friendly crowd Tuesday evening as the Alaska Legislature prepares for a final vote on whether to implement an Alaska income tax.<\/p>\n
At the Mendenhall Valley Public Library, Parish attracted about 50 Juneau residents for a townhall discussion and update on the state’s fiscal situation. Judging by the comments from those in attendance, about two-thirds favored the Alaska House Majority’s four-part plan for erasing the state deficit. That plan includes an income tax.<\/p>\n
“I was glad that people spoke about the taxes, that people spoke up for it,” said MaryAnn Dierckman.<\/p>\n
Standing in the evening sunshine after the meeting, she said there’s a popular perception that no one favors the income tax, but that wasn’t the case on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Parish, who has voted in favor of the income tax, was joined by Revenue Commissioner Randall Hoffbeck for a discussion of the approaches the Legislature is considering to balance the state’s $2.7 billion annual deficit.<\/p>\n
Hoffbeck told attendees that he believes government is “right-sized” and can’t be reduced further without a great deal of effort.<\/p>\n
He pointed to the stated goal of the Alaska Senate Majority, which wanted to reduce government spending by 5 percent in Fiscal Year 2018, which starts July 1.<\/p>\n
“They didn’t even get close,” Hoffbeck said. “That’s because there aren’t any really easy cuts to make.”<\/p>\n
While most in attendance were willing to go along with the arguments made by Parish and Hoffbeck, there were those who pushed back.<\/p>\n
Garry Parker said he sees the quality of life for senior citizens “really being attacked.”<\/p>\n
“I’ve run the numbers all out, and the smartest thing I could do would be to leave Alaska,” he said, if the income tax bill becomes law.<\/p>\n
He said after the meeting that he’d prefer the Legislature simply use the Permanent Fund to cover the deficit until oil prices recover.<\/p>\n
“I’d just like to see them take all the money out of the Permanent Fund and get through this storm,” he said.<\/p>\n
Tom Boutin, a Juneau resident and frequent testifier in the Capitol, pressed Parish as to what he would do if the income tax fails to pass the Legislature but a Permanent Fund spending bill does.<\/p>\n
Parish sidestepped the question but said, “I don’t think we can settle for half a plan” when it comes to the deficit.<\/p>\n
Parish and others urged those in attendance to contact lawmakers and urge them to support an income tax.<\/p>\n
“We have to stop talking and start walking,” said attendee Cynthia Clark.<\/p>\n
• Contact reporter James Brooks at james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com or call 419-7732.<\/b><\/p>\n
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