Gov. Murkowski Considers Tap of Alaska Oil Money

[Khephra]

Gov. Murkowski Considers Tap of Alaska Oil Money
Wed January 14, 2004 03:18 AM ET

JUNEAU, Alaska (Reuters) - Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski said Tuesday night the time has come to consider tapping the state's cherished $27 billion oil savings account to pay for government services.

"I think the time has come to begin this process and to begin it now," Murkowski said in his State of the State address to a joint session of the legislature.

The Alaska Permanent Fund, created in 1977 out of the state's new oil wealth, has never been used to pay for government operations.

Since 1982, it has paid an annual dividend to residents. The record annual payment of $1,963.86 to each resident occurred in 2000; last year's dividend was $1,107.56.

more.................

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=4123386

[Kolesar]

1. Write contracts to people who will give the GOP money

What could be simpler than that?

[worldgonekrazy]

10. Nah. Murkowski's an old time conservative

Not one of these corporate whore neocons. Thats not to say that there isn't any corruption in his administration, or that he is a good governor, but don't lump him in with Bush Co.

[oneighty]

2. The Alaska Permanent Fund

Was a Commie, Pinko, Socialistic idea anyway and should be done away with before the rest of the states catch on to the idea.

This is a program I wish had spread to the other forty nine states.

Citizens getting a percentage of the profits reaped from their very own natural resources, what a wonderful idea!

180

[callous taoboy]

3. In Anchorage

the rate of crack cocaine trafficking would shoot way up after the checks were cut.

[oneighty]

4. What is your point?

180

[Tempest]

6. Cite?

I lived in Anchorage, and according to the reports I read at the time, there were small increases in drug related crimes during the time the checks were mailed out.

[BenFranklinUSA]

5. This is a "welfare cut"

Can Alaskans afford to lose any of their entitlements?

[goobergunch]

7. If he does this, his daughter is in big trouble for Senate re-election

:evilgrin:

[Tempest]

9. His daughter is already the walking dead

She is universally hated in Alaska. I have many friends, and family, in Alaska and none of them have anything good to say about her. And most are conservative.

Tony Knowles will wipe her out.

[confusius]

8. Murkowski is a retard, not to insult retards

Alaska really has no other means of geting money for government except for the permant fund, after the oil is gone. The population base is too small. I know, I lived there for 20 years. I also thought Murkowski was a dim bulb. I have been proved right. He wants to use the money to pay for a budget so he doesn't have to make any hard choices. THAT WOULD REQUIRE THINKING!. So how are they going to pay for services after the fund is gone? He doesn't care he'll be long gone and dead by then. GAAAHHH the stpidity of this man and anyone who follows him or was sired by him astounds me!

[worldgonekrazy]

11. What would you say if his solution was to gut gov't services?

Look, I hate to defend Murkowski, but you are painting a black and white picture here when the reality is much more grey. Alaska's budget deficit for the past fiscal year was more then 1/3 of the overall budget itself! The state government has to do something to come up with the cash, and the choices are either to raid the fund (a short term solution, yes) or to slash the hell out of gov't programs (which is also undesirable). The entire state is, so to speak, between a rock and a hard spot.

[oneighty]

12. Taxes

could be raised. Oh! That would be socialism.

Sigh

180

[confusius]

13. He shouldn't have to

He should raise taxes to pay for some and reduce some. Reality is, if Alaska doesn't start taxing, its going to be a big load on the people left when the oil money runs out.

And lets also face it, Alaska's going to have to start making due with less. The heady days of oil money are over. Save the fund now and pay some taxes will reduce the burden later, but I forget, this is America, there is no later and I'm gonna get all I can now. Screw future generations!!!

[Toots]

14. There are other alternatives

One thing a very wise man once taught me was there is always an alternative no matter what. It may not be a good alternative but there is always an alternative. In this case he could establish an income tax or sales tax or other form of revenue enhancement.