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Feb 19 Opportunity to Learn about “Vision Zero” and Election Observers

Natalie Spaulding
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5
Feb 19 Opportunity to Learn about “Vision Zero” and Election Observers

February 19 at 7pm, the Anchorage Chapter of AMAC Action will host an event featuring a preview of “Vision Zero” by Justin Milette and information about becoming an election observer, presented by Sami Graham.

Vision Zero is “a safety initiative that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries — particularly involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized road users — through a combination of engineering, enforcement, education, and policy changes. The underlying principle is that all traffic deaths are preventable with better street design, policy actions, and targeted safety efforts.”

Election observers are individuals who act on behalf of a candidate or organization to observe elections and help ensure fairness and integrity. Observers “witness the election process and, as appropriate, ask procedural questions of the Municipal Clerk, and challenge the eligibility of individual voters or the manner in which votes are counted. Additionally, observers may lodge complaints and offer suggestions regarding election administration and management to the Municipal Clerk.”

An observer must submit a registration form, sign a confidentiality agreement, receive training, and maintain a certificate of training. Observers must be designated by a candidate on the ballot in the election, or by an organization or organized group that sponsors or opposes an initiative, referendum, or recall measure on the ballot in the election. A candidate may be an observer.

Readers can learn more about election observers via the Municipality of Anchorage’s Observer’s Handbook and/or by attending the event on Feb 19.

Event location: 2511 Sentry Dr. in Anchorage.

Time and date: 7pm, Feb 19.

Strong Bipartisan Vote Confirms Peterson as Federal Judge for District of Alaska

Natalie Spaulding
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4
Strong Bipartisan Vote Confirms Peterson as Federal Judge for District of Alaska

On February 4, Aaron Christian Peterson was confirmed by the Senate as Alaska’s new federal judge.

Peterson hails from Eagle River, AK and has served his country and state in the Air Force, as Assistant Attorney General in Alaska’s Department of Law Office of Special Prosecutions, and then as Senior Assistant Attorney General in DOL’s Natural Resources Section.

Peterson’s career is marked by a significant focus on defending Alaska’s right to manage its own natural resources and prosecuting fish and wildlife crimes.

Peterson Confirmed as New Alaska Federal JudgeDownload

Alaska Legislative Task Force Recommends Legalization of Psychedelics for Medicinal Use

Natalie Spaulding
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Alaska Legislative Task Force Recommends Legalization of Psychedelics for Medicinal Use

Yesterday, February 4, the Alaska Legislative Task Force for the Regulation of Psychedelic Medicines released its final report, recommending, “if and when psychedelic medicine therapies are FDA approved, the state should take action to allow for their use in Alaska, rather than prohibiting use.”

The Task Force’s report responds to nationwide, ongoing clinical research on the therapeutic use of psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is currently funding research on psychedelic treatment for PTSD and depression among veterans.

Findings of Potential Therapeutic Uses

The report contains 6 findings and 25 recommendations. Findings conclude, “The available evidence suggests there are potential therapeutic uses. While clinical studies are ongoing and the evidence base is evolving, there is particular focus on use of these therapies for veterans, survivors of assault and interpersonal violence, and others with treatment-resistant post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

The report’s findings also emphasize the need for professional oversight rather than self-administration of the drugs, a team approach to medical care, and clear consent practices.

Recommendations for Legalization and Accessibility

Recommendations pertain to legislative and administrative actions to make psychedelic medicine legal and accessible in the State of Alaska. In addition to legalizing the use of psychedelics by licensed medical professionals, the Task Force also recommends that the State “develop a pathway for a non-licensed psychedelic facilitator role.” The report claims, “Benefits of this pathway include increased access to psychedelic care that is a cultural fit to the preferences and needs of the patient as well potentially increasing access to psychedelic care by decreasing costs.”

Warnings and Red Flags

Each Task Force member was provided an opportunity to publish a statement in the report. Three members submitted statements: Dr. Paula Colescott, M.D., FASAM, designated member of Alaska State Medical Association submitted a dissenting opinion; Sara Kozup-Evon, designated member of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Alliance submitted a dissenting opinion specifically for Finding 4 and Recommendations 2, 7 and 16; and NAMI Alaska submitted an organizational statement.

Dr. Colescott stated: “As an Internal Medicine physician, specializing in Addiction Medicine, I have serious concerns regarding recommendations that have been proffered by this Task Force, which are primarily related to safety concerns.” She pointed to findings published by the Colorado Department of Criminal Justice following the legalization of marijuana. The findings highlight safety concerns, especially concerning children:

  1. 30% of marijuana users have some form of marijuana use disorder.
  2. Use before the age of 18 increases the likelihood of marijuana use disorder by seven-fold.
  3. Legalization is associated with a 25% increase in marijuana use disorder among 12–17-year-olds.
  4. Marijuana users were nearly 25% more likely than non-users to go to the ER or be hospitalized (Vozoras et al., 2022).
  5. Nationally, there were 2,473 in-home marijuana exposures involving children younger than 12 in 2020, up from 598 in 2018.
  6. In 2020, 24.3% of drivers involved in traffic fatalities tested positive for marijuana, up from 14.8% in 2013.
  7. One in four road deaths in Colorado involve marijuana.
  8. People did die from the edibles from psychotic breaks, and self harm.
  9. The IQ of kids tracked from early teens into their 30’s were found to decrease based on the frequency of marijuana use.
  10. Kids who used in school had a greater incidence of dropping out of high school, unwanted pregnancies, trouble with the law, and higher incidence of transitioning to using other substances like opiates.

Dr. Colescott also identified significant concerns with the conducted clinical trials.

Furthermore, she strongly opposed the Task Force’s recommendation to “develop a pathway for a non-licensed psychedelic facilitator role.” She states: “The recommendation of replacing a licensed, trauma informed therapist with years of training, with non-licensed facilitators, without degrees in counseling or mental health, who would be trained and receive a certification by an entity which does not presently exist, in the Alaska bush communities is not only reckless, but NOT best practice.”

NAMI Alaska stated their support for “effective, evidence-based treatments,” but warned of the need for more research before legalizing psychedelic medicines: “At present, psychedelic substances such as psilocybin and MDMA remain classified as Schedule I drugs under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This means they are considered to have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. However, several substances are now undergoing FDA-authorized clinical trials, and some—like MDMA for PTSD—are in late-stage (phase III) studies, potentially paving the way for future FDA approval. Until such approval is granted, these treatments remain under investigation.

NAMI Alaska emphasizes: “As more states move to decriminalize or legalize marijuana and other psychedelic substances, it is critical that state-level decision-making be grounded in credible, peer-reviewed evidence and comprehensive public health planning. NAMI Alaska stresses the importance of continued research before widespread adoption of these therapies.”

Full Report

Report185Download

Alaska Family Council Urges People to Plan Ahead for Biggest Pro-Life Gathering in Alaska History

Natalie Spaulding
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5
Alaska Family Council Urges People to Plan Ahead for Biggest Pro-Life Gathering in Alaska History

There is no greater humanitarian crisis in history than the mass killing of innocent babies in the womb. For those of us who agree that every person has an inalienable right to life that cannot be nullified regardless of stage of development, level of dependency, mental or physical condition, or situational hardship; the upcoming Alaska March for Life is a great opportunity for us to stand in defiance of a culture that prioritizes adult pleasure and convenience above the protection of innocent new life.

The Alaska March for Life will be held in Anchorage on April 25, 2026. President of the Alaska Family Council Jim Minnery states, “Our intent is to make this the biggest prolife gathering in Alaska history by starting NOW to encourage people to get engaged. Our primary strategy for this years’ Walk will be to get teams together from churches and schools to create camaraderie, excitement and, most importantly, amplify the reality that women and children deserve better than abortion.”

Must Read Alaska joins in encouraging all Alaskans with pro-life values to come and march with us on April 25. Please register here to receive email updates and information about the event.

Dunleavy Discusses Fiscal Plan at Commonwealth North Event

Natalie Spaulding
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8
Dunleavy Discusses Fiscal Plan at Commonwealth North Event

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on 2/5/2026 to clarify that the State’s spending growth was at approximately 6% each year before Dunleavy took office. Dunleavy has kept budget growth at 1% during his tenure.

Yesterday, February 3, Commonwealth North invited Governor Dunleavy to speak to members and guests at former Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell’s house. Governors Bill Egan and Walter Hickel founded Commonwealth North in 1979 with the mission to “educate Alaskans on significant public policy issues and assist in identifying effective solutions.” Seats left over after members registered were available to the public for $50. Dunleavy shared key insights about his fiscal plan with attendees.

The Spending Problem

According to Dunleavy, Alaska has never had a fiscal plan in its history. Currently, Alaska analyzes oil and gas prices to set the budget, and the Legislature tells the Governor how much they expect will be available for the budget depending on oil and gas. Dunleavy stated that this strategy leads to high volatility with oil and gas prices rising and falling unpredictably. The Legislature often raises the budget when oil and gas go up but often fails to lower the budget when oil and gas falls. This had led to spending growth of approximately 6% each year before Dunleavy took office. Dunleavy has been able to keep the budget growth at 1% during his tenure.

Alaska’s Unique Economy

Dunleavy highlighted two unique facts about Alaska’s economy that play critical roles in his approach to the fiscal plan. First, he said that Alaska “excepts as normal what is not normal in the rest of the states, or even in the world.” According to Dunleavy, this unique Alaska “normal” is the absence of a sales tax. Other states and countries that rely on resource-based revenue have a sales tax to act as a stabilizer. The absence of this stabilizer and Alaska’s high economic volatility turns off potential investors.

The second unique fact is that Alaska experiences an “economic bubble” in the summer due to tourist season. No other state experiences a seasonal tourism impact to the extent that Alaska does. Dunleavy proposed a seasonal sales tax that would capture tourist activity as revenue for the state.

Protecting the PFD

Although acknowledging the State’s need to change its spending habits, Dunleavy affirmed the Permanent Fund Dividend as belonging to the people and as an important expense that should not be diminished for the Legislature’s convenience. According to Dunleavy, the PFD should serve as brakes for the Legislature. Dunleavy argued that requiring a full PFD puts “brakes” and “guardrails” on the Legislature because taking from the PFD eliminates the voice of the people, but considering a new tax involves discussion and includes the people’s voice.

Furthering his argument for a full PFD, Dunleavy stated that diminishing the PFD pushes some families into poverty. Those families then seek out State welfare, which costs the State money. He indicated that this may cause an unintended expense that may outweigh the expense of issuing the full PFD.

When asked why seek a sales tax rather than cut the PFD or levy an income tax, Dunleavy responded by referencing the recent study from the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). The study analyzed several fiscal options for Alaska and found that a sales tax would cause the least impact to Alaskans compared to other options such as an income tax or a diminished PFD.

Summary of Dunleavy’s Fiscal Plan

Dunleavy provided attendees with a handout containing a summary of his fiscal plan. The plan proposes 10 rules “that give structure to the budgeting and revenue process.”

  1. Limit spending growth to 1%. The current spending growth rate of approximately 6% each year is out of control. The Legislature must limit its spending growth.
  2. Establish a revenue cap. Currently, when revenue increases, government spending increases. Dunleavy proposes the Legislature set a revenue cap, meaning a maximum amount of revenue that can be included in the budget. Any additional revenue would then be invested.
  3. Additional revenue not used in the budget will be split 50/50 between the Permanent Fund and the Constitutional Budget Reserve.
  4. Preserve the Permanent Fund by combining the Earnings Reserve Account with the Permanent Fund Corpus, set a maximum 5% Percent of Market Value draw, and maintain a 50/50 split between government spending and the PFD. The plan estimates a $3,600 annual dividend for Alaskans over the next 10 years.
  5. Establish a government sunset and reauthorization process. This process would require the State to regularly “review the efficacy of state agencies and determine if those agencies should be terminated, continued, or reorganized to better serve the public.”
  6. Institute a seasonal sales tax of 4% from April to September and then 2% from October to March. The sales tax is to expire in January 2034. Estimated revenue is $730 million.
  7. Eliminate the corporate income tax. Although this change would result in an estimated $602 million loss of revenue, it would encourage more investment in Alaska. According to Dunleavy, investors are highly disincentivized to invest in Alaska because of its remote location away from the market, absence of interstate connection, and harsh climate. The corporate income tax only disincentivizes investors more.
  8. Market Based Sourcing. Estimated revenue is $25-65 million.
  9. Increase the minimum production tax floor for oil and gas from 4% to 6% until January 2032 when it will revert back to 4%. Estimated revenue is $130 million.
  10. Institute a $0.15 per barrel fee for Alyeska Pipeline. Estimated revenue is $25 million yearly.

Dunleavy admitted the plan as is will likely not pass the Legislature. He said that although he would like to see everything pass, he would be happy if at least some of the plan passed the Legislature this session. As always, the State’s fiscals are a key focus in the Legislative session. Must Read Alaska will continue to provide readers updates regarding the budget.

Senate Updates: Rural Health, Winter Roads, Permanent Fund, and Sales Tax

Natalie Spaulding
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10
Senate Updates: Rural Health, Winter Roads, Permanent Fund, and Sales Tax

The Senate Majority held a press conference today at 12:50pm. The conference featured comments by the Senators regarding the Rural Health Transformation Program, winter road maintenance, funding for the Department of Transportation, the Permanent Fund draw, and Governor Dunleavy’s proposed statewide sales tax.

Rural Health Transformation Program

Senator Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage) spoke on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), highlighting the program’s context as part of H.R.1, which led to some Alaskans losing Medicaid and SNAP benefits. “The consolation prize was this thing called the Rural Health Transformation Fund.” Despite framing the RHTP in the context of H.R.1’s Medicaid and SNAP impacts, the program has little to do with either. Sen. Dunbar stated that the program funds cannot be used to backfill Medicaid. Sen. Dunbar identified renovation projects and equipment as examples of how the funds can be used.

According to Sen. Dunbar, the bill enacting RHTP identifies all of Alaska as “rural,” allowing both bush communities and urban locations such as Anchorage to benefit from the funds. He stated that the Legislature has been working closely with the Department of Health, trying to understand the funding access rules. “Rules about accessing the money and continuing to access the money are quite opaque,” he stated. Sen. Dunbar also expressed concern that the funding is controlled by the Commissioner of Health and lacks what he perceives as necessary legislative oversight. Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) echoed this concern.

Winter Road Conditions

Senator Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikisiki) spoke regarding the Department of Transportation’s efforts to maintain the roads during this year’s difficult winter. According to Bjorkman, freeze-thaw cycles plus a high rate of vacant DOT positions contribute to the difficult road conditions. “DOT is out there working as hard as they can to mitigate hazards,” he stated. However, he admitted that roads often go uncleared due to an inadequate workforce, claiming DOT “is running at 60% capacity.”

According to Senator Bert Stedman (R-Sitka), the Senate Finance Committee will be looking to fast track the supplemental budget bill that will give needed funds to DOT. “The Senate Finance Committee won’t let any moths grow under it… It can’t get done fast enough,” he stated.

Permanent Fund Draw

Sen. Stedman also addressed the Permanent Fund draw. He stated: “We are talking about a 5% draw. I personally think that is a bit high. I would personally like to see it at 4.5% or 4.25%.” He also expressed strong opposition to a full Permanent Fund Dividend as well as opposition to the dividend being in the Constitution. “The dividend should not be in the Constitution,” he stated forthrightly.

Senator Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage) also commented on the Permanent Fund draw, saying the proposed amendment says, “up to 5%,” meaning the Legislature will get to decide each year what the actual number will be with a cap set at 5%.

Proposed Sales Tax

Wrapping up the press conference, Senators Stevens, Wielechowski, and Giessel commented on the Governor’s proposed statewide sales tax (SB 227). The Senators expressed a positive response to SB 227, especially the part of the bill that levies a tax specifically targeting oil and gas corporations. “What impacts Alaskans most is lowering the Permanent Fund Dividend,” stated Wielechowski. “What impacts Alaskans the least is corporate taxes… We should seek revenue from our natural resources.” Giessel echoed Wielechowski, stating, “Corporate taxes are the least impactful on the average Alaskan family.”

Anchorage Assembly Shares 2026 Legislative Priorities

Natalie Spaulding
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8
Anchorage Assembly Shares 2026 Legislative Priorities

The Anchorage Assembly’s 2026 Legislative Program identifies several budget requests plus advocacy for particular statutory changes and administrative actions, including support of HB 78, which seeks to establish a new defined benefits program for public employees.

Budget Requests

The Assembly’s top budget request is $200 million of state funding for the continuation of the Don Young Port of Alaska Modernization Project (PAMP). The Port of Alaska handles 75% of Alaska’s inbound cargo, drives $14 billion in economic activity annually, and supplies 90% of Alaskans with basic necessities. The project, created in 2014 to create four new terminals, seeks to improve operational safety and efficiency, enable modern shipping operations, and improve resiliency to seismic activity.

The rest of the budget requests are grouped into three main goals: safe, secure, and affordable.

Aiming to make Anchorage a safer place, the Assembly requests $1.5 million for the APD Real-Time Crime Center, which would connect up to 750 camera feeds to a centralized network. They also request $1 million in blight reduction funding, stating that the Municipality has targeted over 200 derelict structures for remediation or demolition. Additionally, they ask for a full contribution to the Community Assistance Fund to be used to enhance public safety via Police and Fire Departments and $200,000 to equip the Anchorage Fire Department with two unmanned aerial systems for emergency response.

According to the Assembly, $250,000 for a Chugach Park Access Study will help make Anchorage a more secure place.

To make Anchorage more affordable, the Assembly requests $2 million for predevelopment work toward Anchorage’s Waste to Energy program. They also ask for an undetermined amount of funding to support a residential weatherization program for mobile homes.

Statutory and Administrative Actions

In addition to funding request, the Assembly identified several statutory and administrative actions as priorities in 2026. Advocacy for statutory changes include inflation adjusting for the E911 surcharge on wired and wireless lines, passing the new defined benefits plan (HB 78), increasing rates paid by the General Relief for Assisted Living to help homeless individuals with disabilities, allowing utilities to include more kinds of infrastructure upgrades in the Plant Replacement and Improvement Surcharge Mechanism (PRISM), and developing new mechanisms to use AIDEA to build affordable housing.

Administrative actions include prioritizing winter road maintenance coordination and fully staffing the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Central Region.

The Assembly also identified several District specific requests. Readers can access the full 2026 Legislative Program below:

2025-1202 FINAL APPROVED 2026 Leg ProgramDownload

Let’s Flip the Assembly and Reclaim Anchorage

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
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Let’s Flip the Assembly and Reclaim Anchorage

By Theresa Bird

Candidate filing period for Assembly, School Board and Service Area Board of Supervisors closed on January 30th.  Anchorage, if you want lower taxes and conservative social policies, we have a phenomenal opportunity to flip our Assembly on April 7th from a supermajority of radical Leftists to a conservative majority, and we shouldn’t let it go to waste.

The tax-and-spend policies enacted by “the Marxist Nine” – and good policies blocked by these same members – have driven the problems of crime, homelessness, and affordability into hyperdrive the last five years.  Residents are now afraid to hike and bike on our trails and use our public parks and library due to unchecked crime and vagrancy. Millions of dollars’ worth of materials purchased for Mayor Bronson’s navigation center are sitting at the Port housing sand.  But if you have the right connections, millions more tax dollars are being poured into the highly lucrative homeless industrial complex, with no lasting, positive impact on the chronically homeless.

How about a thriving, accessible Downtown?  Nope. Business owners and churches Downtown are forced to shell out tens of thousands paying for private security to keep their buildings intact and safe while crime goes unchecked (with the Berkowitz-era police station in the midst of it all).  That doesn’t include the police reports and insurance deductibles pastors and congregations shell out for the break-ins.  Yet property taxes continue to rise, new taxes are floated and voted without any debate (our Mayor is just full of surprises!), and mortgage and interest rates remain untenably high.

I once called Anchorage a dying city.  I hope not.  But if it is, the liberal Assembly is hastening its demise a la Jack Kevorkian.  Then again, Mayor LaFrance’s Big, Beautiful Assessment (except for Rich Folks Like Her) is probably the real intention of the Leftists: destroy the Middle Class and drive them out of Anchorage.  Those statistics are verified by the census numbers in the burgeoning Mat-Su Valley, and you can ask any builder whether they get better business, here or in the Valley.  Hint: it’s not Muldoon or Downtown.

While things look bleak at the moment, that could all change in a little over two months.  Assembly Members Jared Goecker, Scott Myers, and Keith McCormick are currently the only 3 reliable conservative members on a 12-member body.  Myers is not running for re-election, but his Eagle River seat is reliably conservative.  On the other hand, five seats held by Leftists are up for grabs in two months. If Anchorage voters fill these six seats with the strongest conservatives running, then the Assembly is suddenly a conservative majority of 8-4, and the city stands a decent shot at stemming the tide of regress.

Is Anchorage worth fighting for?  You bet.  And if you wish to remain in Anchorage raising your family, running your business, or living in relative peace and security, you’d better help get out the vote and flip the Assembly on April 7th .  Here are my recommendations, and please share them with every registered voter you know and encourage them to vote:

If you live in District 1, North Anchorage: Vote conservative Justin Milette to replace term-limited Chris Constant. Website: miletteforalaska.com. (Nick Danger, Sydney Scout, and Max Powers are also running.)

If you live in District 2, Chugiak, Eagle River, JBER: Vote conservative Donald Handeland to replace conservative Scott Myers, who is not running again. Website: votehandeland.com. Handeland is endorsed by Goecker, Myers, and Jamie Allard, among others. (Kyle Walker is also running.)

If you live in District 3, West Anchorage: Vote conservative Brian Flynn to replace incumbent Anna Brawley. Website: flynnforanchorage.com. Flynn is endorsed by Goecker, Myers, Sami Graham, Mia Costello, among others.

If you live in District 4, Midtown: Vote conservative Dave Donley to replace term-limited Felix Rivera. Website: donleyforalaska.com. Donley is endorsed by Fred Dyson, Leigh Sloan, among others. (Janice Park and Kim Winston are also running.)

If you live in District 5, East Anchorage: Vote conservative Cody Anderson to replace incumbent George Martinez. Website: andersonforanchorage.com.

If you live in District 6, South Anchorage, Girdwood, Turnagain Arm: Vote conservative Bruce Vergason to replace incumbent Zac Johnson. Website: bruceforanchorage.com. (John Stiegele and Janelle Anausuk Sharp are also running.)

Anchorage desperately needs a sea change in order to flourish again. We have two months to make these candidates household names so nobody texts you asking, “who should I vote for?” when our ballots arrive in March. Please print this list, take a screen shot, and share it widely with your friends and neighbors. Know your district and your candidates.

Let’s seize the moment: get out the vote, flip the Assembly, and start to reclaim Anchorage.

Theresa Bird is a wife and homeschooling mother of nine. She earned her BA in Philosophy at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, NH. She lives in Anchorage.

Opinion: You Can’t Tax Your Way Out of Broken Trust 

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Opinion: You Can’t Tax Your Way Out of Broken Trust 

By Edward Martin, Jr.

Alaska is once again being told that the solution to our fiscal problems is a new tax. 

This time it comes wrapped in careful language: “stability,” “shared responsibility,” “rules-based budgeting,” and a promise that this plan will finally fix what years of uncertainty have broken. A seasonal statewide sales tax. A constitutional amendment. A 50/50 split. Sunset clauses. Spending caps. 

On paper, it sounds responsible. 

But paper plans do not govern Alaska— law does. And before we debate new revenue, we must confront the uncomfortable fact that Alaska’s current fiscal instability was not caused by a lack of taxation. It was caused by a failure to obey existing law. 

For seven years, the statutory Permanent Fund Dividend formula was ignored. Earnings were diverted by discretion rather than rule. The Alaska Permanent Fund was treated not as a trust with defined beneficiaries, but as a flexible revenue source for government operations. The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, governed by appointed trustees, operated without full transparency and without the safeguards Alaskans were promised when the Fund was created. 

That history matters because sequence matters in a constitutional republic. 

Before Alaska imposes a single new tax, the State must confront a simple truth it has spent years avoiding: you cannot tax your way out of broken trust. The Permanent Fund was not mismanaged by accident; it was redefined by executive convenience, administered by appointed trustees insulated from accountability, and stripped of statutory safeguards without public consent. To now ask Alaskans — families, seniors, workers, and rural communities — to shoulder a statewide sales tax before restoring lawful governance of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is not fiscal responsibility; it is upside-down government. In any private trust, a fiduciary who ignores governing law does not get more authority or new revenue. They get audited, bonded, corrected, or removed. Yet here, the State proposes the opposite: pay us first, trust us later. That is not shared responsibility. That is asking citizens to finance a system that refused to obey the rules that bound it in the first place. 

Supporters of a sales tax argue that “everyone will pay,” including tourists and non-residents. That may be true, but it misses the point. Visitors did not forgo mineral rights at statehood. Visitors did not accept the Permanent Fund as a substitute asset held in trust for the people. Alaskans did. And when that trust is compromised, the remedy is not new taxation; it is restoration of lawful governance. 

A constitutional amendment to lock in a new dividend structure does not restore the rule of law. It replaces it. Worse, it risks ratifying past misconduct by retroactively blessing years of statutory noncompliance. Amendments should correct constitutional defects, not sanitize political convenience. 

Sales taxes are also regressive by nature. They fall hardest on working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and rural communities with higher costs of living. Asking those Alaskans to pay more before the State proves it can obey the laws it already has flips accountability on its head. 

In a system of self-government, the State earns the right to tax by obeying the law first. Citizens do not owe financial obedience to a government that refuses legal obedience in return. 

That is why this moment demands clarity, not slogans. 

Every candidate for governor, regardless of party, should be asked this single, unavoidable question, publicly and on the record: 

Will you commit to enforcing Alaska’s existing Permanent Fund statutes and restoring full fiduciary compliance at the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation — including bonding, bylaw enforcement, and trustee accountability — before proposing any new taxes or constitutional amendments that alter the dividend or earnings structure? Yes or no. 

No hedging. 
No task forces. 
No future promises. 

Because if a candidate cannot say yes to enforcing the law first, then every tax proposal, every “fiscal plan,” and every constitutional amendment that follows is not reform. It is ratification of past misconduct. 

Alaska does not suffer from a lack of ideas. It suffers from a lack of enforcement. The path forward is not complicated: restore the law, repair the trust, enforce fiduciary duty— then talk about revenue. Anything else asks Alaskans to pay for a government that has not yet proven it deserves their consent. 

Ed Martin, Jr. is a retired 50+ year IUOE, General Contractor and long-time Alaskan with a strong belief in the National and State Constitutions and the inherent rights of citizens. He devotes his retirement to investigating Constitutional violation(s) in hopes of protecting the eternal rights of liberty. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17. 

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