Gov. Bill Walker has imposed one of the most regressive “taxes” in the history of Alaska by taking 50 percent of the Permanent Fund Dividend. Alaskans of all ages, not just the working class, were negatively affected. This “tax” effectively removed approximately $700 million per year from Alaska’s economy in favor of preserving the growth of a bloated state government.<\/p>\n
Walker has refused to drop his intent to impose more taxes, including an income tax on working Alaskans and additional taxes on resource development, yet maintains that he has “saved” Alaska from fiscal calamity. The record shows otherwise.<\/p>\n
Senate Bill 91 is on Walker’s shoulders; he signed it into law. In every category, crime has increased significantly. The following figures are from the state’s 2017 Crime Report. Comparisons are between 2013 and 2017. Violent crime is up 34 percent; property crime is up 22 percent; robbery is up 52 percent; assault, 36 percent; murder, 79 percent, rape, 16 percent; vehicle theft, 150 percent; burglary, 42 percent; and arson, 18 percent.<\/p>\n
Losses from robbery for 2017 was $850,125; burglary, $10,488,919; from larceny, $15,309,131; and from vehicle theft, $34,102,492. The total estimated loss to victims of property crime in 2017 is $60,750,667.<\/p>\n
Walker’s PFD “tax” has hit those in the lower income range hardest. For the lowest 20 percent income level, loss of $1,400 from the PFD represents a loss of 35 percent; lower-middle 20 percent, 18.1 percent; middle 20 percent, 10.2 percent; upper middle 20 percent, 6.1 percent; and the top 20 percent, 2.5 percet. The governor’s cut to the PFD hit lower and middle income families the hardest.<\/p>\n