Republicans Continue Commitment to Alaska

Opinion Editorial: appeared in the Chugaik Eagle River Alaska Star January 29, 1998

by Senator Loren Leman

During the first days of the 1998 session, the Republican-led majorities in the House and Senate identified priorities for legislative action this year. This is our "Commitment that’s Working for Alaska." It commits the Legislature to pursuing excellence in education, protecting the health and safety of Alaska’s children, and working to close our fiscal gap by 2001 and live within our means.

We remain committed to preserving and enhancing Alaska’s economic health by managing our state budget downward. Our goal for this year, the third year of our 5-year fiscal plan, is to reduce State General Fund spending by $50 million. Governor Knowles, on the other hand, has proposed yet another increase in spending—this time by $34 million.

During the three years he has been governor, he has proposed budgets that would have increased spending by $200 million total—instead, we have reduced spending by $130 million. This clearly is the correct approach for guarding our financial resources and keeping taxes and fees lower.

It is no wonder that the Legislature was cool to Knowles’ State of the State speech—in which he chided the Legislature for specific budget reductions, yet claimed credit for $150 million in total reductions while he was governor. We are accomplishing our budget goals, as well as our objectives of education improvements, resource development and crime despite this governor, not because of him.

Our approach is based on a simple premise that Alaskans understand—live within your means and spend no more than you earn. We have listened to requests for a smaller, smarter government—and our long-range financial plan accomplishes that. It reduces spending gradually to eliminate the fiscal gap.

Living within our means is not only about reducing spending—it is also about prioritizing. In the last three years we have committed more resources to education, public safety and child protection while still reducing our fiscal gap. Educated, safe and healthy children are our top priority.

To his credit, Governor Knowles has agreed that the Legislature’s priorities are the right ones to be discussing. Good jobs, quality education, safe families and budget discipline are vital. However, his approach and our approach are considerably different. I want to do all we can to empower the individual and strengthen the family—while his Administration promotes more government programs and less individual responsibility.

I applaud the many fine State and other public employees who work diligently. Teachers, troopers, social workers and road equipment operators are often taken for granted. However, we must make delivery of services more efficient and more user-friendly. That is why we will be approaching the budget more from a standpoint of performance. While the Knowles Administration says, "give us the money," we are saying "show us the results."

The drop in oil prices over the past few months is a reminder that we in Alaska are often subject to international forces not under our complete control. It is another wakeup call that the Legislature is on the right track with our financial plan. We have tremendous potential and resources, but we cannot ignore declining oil production and prices. I care about Alaska’s future. That is why I support our plan to live within our means.

Senator Loren Leman represents District G, which includes parts of west and north Anchorage and also Elmendorf Air Force Base. Senator Leman serves as Chairman of the Labor and Commerce Committee and Vice Chairman of the Health, Education, and Social Services Committee.