Leman makes unexpected stop

PALMER -- An unexpected break in his day and a quick phone call brought Lt. Gov. Loren Leman to Wednesday's Palmer Chamber of Commerce weekly luncheon. Leman, who brought his eldest daughter and a member of his staff to the luncheon, spoke to chamber members about Gov. Frank Murkowski's budget plans and answered questions posed by the audience.

"We want to make sure we're delivering a good education system and we have to ensure that people are safe," Leman said after someone ask him about the governor's top three priorities: Education, transportation and public safety. "The governor has been making tough choices … We believe we can produce the services necessary at a lesser cost."

Leman said even with the cuts being made, the administration's commitment to its top priorities has been unfaltering, and he said he believes many Valley and Alaska residents are aware of that.

"Even with these changes, look at the commitment to education, even when we are reducing spending everywhere else," he said.

Members of the chamber asked Leman numerous questions about the possibility of an income or sales tax imposed on the residents of the state in the near future. Leman reminded members that it was not the administration that was discussing the possibility of these taxes, and that Murkowski and himself would much rather find other ways to bring revenue to the state.

"It's really about … drawing on our natural resources," he said.

Leman also took a few moments to praise the Legislature's commitment to working with the administration.

"This year's Legislature has been perhaps the best that I've seen in terms of attitude between the administration and the Legislature."

Leman reminded all present that he always welcomed their input.