(1-minute read) THREE ‘TRUST THE PEOPLE’ BILLS UP FOR LEGISLATIVE DEBATE
This morning, Gov. Mike Dunleavy filed three constitutional amendment bills in the Alaska Senate. No companion legislation went to the House, which is in shutdown mode.
The proposed amendments would prevent the government of Alaska from enacting or increasing taxes on Alaskans without a vote of the people, or change the statutory calculation of the Permanent Fund dividend without a vote of the people.
The third amendment would create a spending and savings rule to keep government from growing out of control.
“These amendments are the basis for a permanent fiscal plan,” he said. He told reporters in a briefing that he ran on the promise to fix the fiscal situation, and he’s doing what he promised. It’s time to bite the bullet, he said, and make Alaska a stable place to invest so that it can enjoy the prosperity of other states that have stable fiscal systems, such as Colorado and Washington states, both with red-hot economies.
MustReadAlaska.com will delve into the details of these proposed amendments in the days ahead.
Dunleavy’s video announcement to Alaskans:
The Governor’s Office also provided these points:
Protect the PFD: Requires voter approval for any changes to the existing dividend program.
1) Guarantee the PFD: PFD’s would not be subject to appropriations, they will be automatically transferred for payment to Alaskans.
2) Protect the PFD: PFD’s cannot be reduced by the Legislature or Governor’s veto.
3) The People’s PFD: Any changes to the statutory PFD formula will require a vote of the people. It’s Alaskans PFD and they should be entrusted with its future.
No New Taxes Without Input from Alaskans: This amendment will ensure that Alaskans are included when deciding the size and scope of their government.
1) Any new tax or tax rate increase passed by the Legislature will require a vote of the people.
2) Any new tax or tax rate increase passed by voter initiative will require approval by the Legislature.
Spending Cap: This amendment will provide an important mechanism for the people of Alaska to curb the growth of future government spending. It creates a straightforward, understandable, and most importantly – effective – limit on government growth.
- Replaces the existing, ineffective constitutional spending limit with one that works.
- The new limit will be calculated using a 3-year average of state spending, and only allowing for minimal increases.
Protect the PFD: Click here for bill text and transmittal letter.
Tax Limit: Click here for bill text and transmittal letter.
Spending Cap: Click here for bill text and transmittal letter.
