For those who want us to cut the budget enough to completely close the gap this year, there are not the votes. There will be cuts though. The Senate Finance has reduced the governor’s budget to the tune of $130 million. The capital budget was skinnier than we’ve seen in years. We’ll see how it all comes out in the end after the conference committee works through the differences.
For those who want us to pass taxes, here’s the scoop. Most in the Mat-Su don’t share your mindset, nor do most statewide according to a poll done earlier this month by Dittman Research. As you’ve likely figured out by now, I am a very forthright person, and this is how I see the legislature as far as their appetite for taxes (and please be aware that taxes passed this year wouldn’t help with the budget we’re trying to pass for July 1 implementation – including funding for schools).
Three Categories on State Taxes
There are more or less three groups in the legislature when it comes to increasing taxes at the state level, none of which have the majority of votes:
1) Those who want to pass taxes now;
2) Those who will not support taxes until the PFD is gone;
3) Those who will not support taxes until we have a constitutional spending cap and a sunset commission to ensure agency efficiencies and to keep spending under check on an annual basis.
Do you fall into one of these three categories? I’m sure you all can guess where yours truly falls!
