Cut wasteful spending before asking for public’s money

To the editor,

In response to Gov. Walker’s Spectrum piece from April 24 (“Mat-Su, Alaska need a reliable financial future,” page A6), the governor said “an annual sustainable draw from the permanent fund earnings; and additional revenues.... Changes to our tax structure ensures that everyone...”

Everyone will not be affected by an income tax, only those who produce. Notice that you hit the productive twice by reducing their Permanent Fund Dividend and by taxing.

Before you begin taxing you need to cut the budget and eliminate your wasteful spending. You spent $50,000 for Washington, D.C. consultants to help prepare you for a visit by President Barack Obama. Additionally, you spent $1,925 from Clark James Mishler Photography for photographing the Anchorage arrivals of Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry when the Obama Administration also has an official photographer. Only after cutting such wasteful spending should you consider asking for additional revenues.

Donald Shafer

Wasilla