Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
04/01/2023 09:00 AM House WAYS & MEANS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview(s): Long Term Fiscal Plan | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
Overview(s): Long Term Fiscal Plan
[Contains discussion of HJR 2, HJR 7, HJR 8, HJR 9, HB 38, HB
49, HB 50, HB 72, HB 90, HB 109, HB 110, and HB 142.]
9:32:10 AM
CHAIR CARPENTER announced that the only order of business would
be an overview on the state's long term fiscal plan.
CHAIR CARPENTER noted that, using work from the Fiscal Plan
Working Group, legislation has been brought forward. He
outlined the four-point fiscal focus, which covers several bills
currently in front of the legislature. Under the category
labelled "settling the PFD," he noted HJR 7, HJR 8, HJR 9, HB
72, HB 90, and HB 110 are listed; under the category
"accountability and efficient spending," he noted HJR 2 and HB
38 are listed; under "economic growth" he noted HB 49, HB 50,
and HB 109 are listed; and under "revenue generation for
government" he noted HB 142 is listed. He explained each bill,
and how it relates to the section where it was placed. He
reminded the public that copies of any of the aforementioned
bills are accessible online.
9:37:36 AM
HERMAN MORGAN, representing self, expressed the opinion that the
government's overspending is destroying Alaska's economy, and if
the money were in private hands, the economy would thrive. He
argued that, if the state's education system is not providing
adequate education, why should the public employee retirement
system and teacher retirement system pay out benefits. He
opined on indoctrination in schools.
9:41:00 AM
MADELEINE GRANT, representing self, pointed out that the state
has a fiscal crisis because of declining revenues. She
expressed the concern that a broad-based sales tax would be
inequitable for those in villages and rural communities. She
urged members to reject a broad-based sales tax and instead
consider an income tax, as it would not only be equitable, but
those earning in various industries in Alaska like oil,
fisheries, and medicine, would pay towards it.
9:42:43 AM
ROZLYN GRADY-WILCHE, Vice President, Alaska Coalition of Black
Indigenous People of Color Educators, asked members to put on an
equity lens when considering a statewide sales tax. She
requested members oppose HB 142 and advance an income tax
instead.
9:44:17 AM
SARA DYKSTRA, representing self, shared that she is a mother and
has been an Alaska resident for ten years. She expressed the
desire to be in a state with a strong fiscal plan. She voiced
that she is supportive of being taxed. She expressed that a
sales tax would not be good and suggested the members pass a
progressive income tax.
9:46:03 AM
JOHN HESSERT, representing self, pointed out that people are
leaving Alaska, and he expressed agreement that a sales tax is
bad, adding that an income tax would be bad as well. He stated
that members should appreciate the taxes which are already in
place in the state.
9:48:08 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:48 a.m. to 10:21 a.m.
10:21:01 AM
MONICA RITTER, representing self, shared she has been a resident
of the state for 48 years. She said she is glad members are
looking at new revenues, but a sales tax would not be good;
instead, she advocated the passage of a statewide income tax.
10:23:04 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 10:23 a.m. to 10:26 a.m.
10:26:50 AM
CHAIR CARPENTER reminded the public of the ways to testify at
the meeting.
10:27:37 AM
PATRICK RACE, representing self, said the structural deficit in
Alaska is concerning and would like to see it resolved. He said
the state has not seen a tax on wealthy Alaskans in the form of
an income tax, which he said would be better than a sales tax.
He stated that an income tax with a reasonable floor, like 80th
percentile of wages, would be dynamic with inflation. He
commented that oil companies have revived generous tax laws and
argued that funding such laws needs to be reduced. He suggested
a plan that contains a 75/25 percent market value split (POMV),
which would gradually increase to 50/50.
10:30:40 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 10:30 a.m. to 10:59 a.m.
10:59:28 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Ways and Means meeting was adjourned at
11:00 a.m.
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