Record low oil prices and a staggering $1 billion fiscal gap are reasons he claims to justify his proposed new burden on Alaskans. I welcome his newfound awareness of our fiscal challenges, but not his solutions. My Republican colleagues and I have for several years worked diligently to make prudent, incremental reductions in state spending - and we have been opposed every step of the way by Governor Knowles. Instead he has routinely proposed new programs and increased spending, ignoring legislative requests that he submit responsible budgets. After four years asleep at the wheel, he now has been jolted awake and expects Alaskans to respond to this "crisis" by opening our wallets to pay for more spending.

I will not support new taxes until spending has been further reduced. Most Alaskans expect a leaner government that provides essential services with greater efficiency. During the past three years we have moved closer to that reality by implementing our five-year fiscal plan, but we are not there yet. Until then, it is premature to demand Alaskans to pay more taxes.

You should be skeptical of politicians who claim before an election that they support reducing government and then following that election propose dipping into our pockets for new tax money as a first option.

Taxes on productivity will have a chilling effect on our state's economic vitality at the very time we need to be diversifying our economy to further reduce dependence on oil revenues. Of the options open to us, imposing new taxes is the least desirable.

If you wish to discuss this article or other issues, please call me in Juneau at 907-465-2095. You can also reach me by mail at State Capitol, Juneau, AK 99801 or by e-mail at Senator_Loren_Leman@legis.state.ak.us.