Juneau -- Rep. Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla/Peters Creek) unveiled a plan to eliminate the state's mammoth budget deficit, that could give focus to cutting programs and re-structuring government, rather than raising taxes or taking from the Permanent Fund as Governor Knowles has proposed.

Kohring's plan (see attached) was put forth to coincide with efforts by the Legislature's Majority to seek out ways the deficit, estimated at one billion dollars, can be eliminated. "My constituents have expressed concern that the Governor's plan is the only one on the table, and the vast majority certainly are displeased with his tax ideas," said Kohring. "My plan would protect the public's wallets, because it eliminates the deficit as it should be -- through spending reductions, as opposed to reaching into people's pockets.

Kohring added ... "It's unconscionable that the public should be expected to forfeit their hard earned-money to sustain big government. With over 20,000 government workers, 19 major department and agencies and over $6 billion being spent on government, there's plenty of ways cutbacks could be made that would go a long way to resolve our budget woes."

A second major aspect of Kohring's plan would be the sale of state-owned land to the private-sector. It would accomplish a two-fold purpose according to Kohring -- raising needed cash to help with the deficit, but more importantly, placing lands into the public's hands, to help build the foundation for a strong private-sector economy. Kohring is Chairman of the Department of Natural Resources House Budget Committee that plans to work with DNR Commissioner Shively in developing a land disposal plan.

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