Let us make the PFD work for us

Spectrum, by Robert Ruiz

We have all read and heard of the woes of our Alaska economy. It is now time to do something constructive about it. One option we should all consider is using the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend to grow Alaska while increasing the value of the PFD at the same time.

The Legislature recently proposed tapping the PFD to help balance the state budget. They claim there is no other option. Sensible Alaskans recognize there are many options available, the Legislature just needs to learn where to look.

Perhaps the most important is an in-depth efficiency analysis of all areas of government processes. Expert firms and individuals who are wholly owned and operated in Alaska should provide this analysis. As a result of this analysis, the Legislature should fund only that part of our state government that has undergone efficiency analysis and has implemented the changes required for saving money. Provide incentives to identify savings by matching the amount saved. All departments and all workers could submit suggestions as beginning points, without fear of reproach, to a group of local professionals drafted to analyze for proficiency.

Further options include building the causeway by providing matching funds and receive a portion of the tolls to repay the investment made by the PFD. And to ensure our local economy benefits, make sure that Alaskan firms are the ones who will be the engineers, builders and maintainers of this causeway. It is vital for us to keep our investments here in Alaska and buck the status quo.

Another attractive opportunity is implementing the plan to build a natural gas pipeline along the same route as the oil pipeline with funds from the PFD. We can then buy the gas from the North Slope producers, and market the gas as an entity of the PFD, with the receipts going back to the PFD.

As an added boost to rural economic development, we should consider a rural fuel entity owned and operated by Alaskans and mandated to provide fuel at, say, 10 percent above break even. This entity can be initially funded by the PFD, with profits and later commissions to be paid back to the PFD, to serve the people who are being squeezed for all they are worth by outside companies.

Reform of our public assistance program is also important. Anyone who receives a dividend and is also on welfare while being capable of working a job, will not receive his or her dividend check. Instead, the check will go to welfare and/or the children of that welfare recipient. You will be eligible for one form of public support -- welfare or the PFD -- not both. With these reforms, we can end the practice of "double dipping."

Another way to improve the operation of state government is to build a new Legislature in the Matanuska Valley. The new construction could be financed with a bond funded by the PFD and payable over, perhaps, the next 20 years from a mill levy. The levy will repay the principal and interest and provide maintenance of the facility. This would be a very small mill levy on everyone's property tax. Again, it is important to use designers, engineers and contractors who are resident corporations wherever possible.

Projects proposed to the fund would initially come from a survey as part of an election ballot. All voters of all precincts would make their selection based on information and the projects wish list provided in the printed election information.

Alaska companies -- not branches of outside corporations, but resident corporations -- would provide all analysis, engineering, maintenance and other requirements unless the expertise or services are not offered within the state. In other words, keep the revenue local whenever possible.

Finally, to ensure visibility and voter trust, we should create a citizens' oversight commission with real power to ask the tough questions and report real information to the people frequently during the year. The commission should be selected from citizens with expertise in governance and operations and represent community councils or other wholly Alaskan groups. Pay a modest stipend and set term to coincide with the particular project.

Robert Ruiz is a Knik resident.