Anchorage Daily News - 07/11/2019

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an open le t ter from
al ask a business le aders:
As leaders representing diverse industries that provide thousands of jobs and
billions of dollars of investment across the state, we ask all of our elected
officials to think about Alaska’s economic future and its long-term quality
of life. We are concerned about the impasse over the operating budget and
size of the Permanent Fund dividend. Until we can solve these standoffs, our
state’s long-term fiscal and political stability is at risk.
we believe the following:
1. Legislators need to convene in a single location so that all 60 members
can vote Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes up or down. Every legislator
owes it to the public to go on the record on this important vote.
2. Lawmakers need to adopt and adhere to a new Permanent Fund dividend
formula that will not draw down unsustainable amounts from the fund’s
earnings reserve this year, next year or in any future year.
3. The governor’s more than $400 million in budget vetoes, when combined
with the $190 million already cut out of the budget by the Legislature this
year, go too far, too fast. Cuts of that size will eliminate critical public
services and result in the loss of thousands of jobs, likely pushing Alaska
into recession. The public wants a responsible, sustainable budget for
years to come.
4. The current stalemate is bad for business and for a healthy Alaska where
Alaskans want to live and work. The public needs decisions now, not
later. And we need decisions that look long term, overlooking short-term
politics. Nobody benefits from repeating this debate a year from now.
signed:
Alaska Bankers Association
Joe Beedle, chair, University of Alaska task force on restructuring
Barbara Cash, founder, SALT AK
Larry S. Cash, CEO, RIM Architects
Kyle Griffiths, chief financial officer, F. Robert Bell & Associates
Jim Jansen, chairman, Lynden Inc.
Lana Johnson, senior VP, MSI Communications
Karen King, president and CEO, Spawn Ideas
Gabriel Kompkoff, president and CEO, Chugach Alaska Corp.
Jeff Koonce, principal/founder and owner, KPB Architects
Mike Navarre, president, Zan Inc.
Kris Norosz, retired director of government affairs, Icicle Seafoods
Bill Popp, president and CEO, Anchorage Economic Development Corp.
Michael A. Prozeralik, managing principal and owner, KPB Architects
Ed Rasmuson, retired, National Bank of Alaska
John Rubini, chairman and CEO, JL Properties
Gail Schubert, president and CEO, Bering Straits Native Corp.
Jae Shin, principal and owner, KPB Architects
Preston Simmons, chief executive, Providence Health & Services Alaska
Julie Taylor, CEO, Alaska Regional Hospital
Copyright (c) 2019 Anchorage Daily News, Edition 07/11/2019
July 22, 2019 4:54 pm (GMT +8:00)

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