Flawed energy bill still step in right direction

June 24, 2005

Spectrum/Rep. Vic Kohring

With the Mat-Su Borough spending taxpayers' money faster than Valley homeowners can fork it over, people are revolting to halt property-tax increases dead in their tracks. The Mat-Su Borough tax cap is an initiative created by two Valley residents, Penny Nixon and Dennis Oakland, who are determined to bring an end to skyrocketing tax increases.

They won the right to circulate their initiative, requiring 1,788 signatures by May 18. According to Nixon, the goal is to garner 6,000 signatures, to send our local government a strong message well before the issue is placed on the ballot.

What's all the fuss over? The following statistics dramatize:

1. The Valley's population has grown about 30 percent over the last three years. Yet the borough's operating budget shot up a record 58 percent during the same period, while the costs of borough-provided services such as subdivision platting and planning have increased a phenomenal 300-1,000 percent.

2. The Mat-Su Borough School District's budget, controlled by the borough, increased roughly 40 percent over the last four years, outpacing the 33-percent growth in student enrollment during the same period. Costs per student now exceed $10,000 annually.

The facts speak for themselves. The borough is spending much faster than typical tax increases justify, and Nixon and Oakland are pointing this out loud and clear.

Further, Mr. Nixon informed me he anticipates winning the popular vote on this issue by more than 60 percent.

Escalating local taxation has become especially insidious to senior citizens and people on fixed incomes, because it has given them little time to adjust to the increases.

If a senior is living on a small stipend or pension and is hit by a major property-tax increase for three straight years, they can be devastated to the point of being forced to sell their home, stop buying medication or even take in illegal boarders to make ends meet. This is not benevolent public policy when seniors are turned into tax evaders out of a sense of dire necessity.

I have watched with dismay similar out-of-control spending here in Juneau for the last 11 years, so it's heartening to see people back home like Nixon and Oakland forming a group to take on those who advocate a more expensive government.

I feel as if my pleas and warnings over the past decade have taken physical form in this tax rebellion. I endorse their efforts and encourage them to work hard, up the ante, never give in and take the day! Mr. Nixon has clearly done his homework. He is confident high taxes have become such a serious matter that Valley residents will excitedly join him by signing the initiative with enough speed to quickly meet his goal.

He has 102 initiative books on the street, each with space for 100 signatures. I have already added mine. Mr. Nixon hasn't had to rely on professionally paid signature gatherers either, so popular is the issue.

He also believes the pressure from this initiative contributed to ending the egregious real estate transfer "fee," which in reality was another new tax.

I salute Penny Nixon and Dennis Oakland for their efforts, for fighting hard on behalf of borough taxpayers, and for fighting to win.

They prove the old adage wrong that "You can't fight city hall," by giving us a shining example of how it can be done successfully. Let's hope we can get some of that same spirit and enthusiasm to spill over into Juneau!

Rep. Vic Kohring serves District 14.