Lincoln Forum reveals voters' hopes for 2004

What do Valley Republicans want to see from their legislators during the next session?

Although that was the question that began debate at a Lincoln Forum gathering at Evangelo's in Wasilla Thursday, the lunch meeting ended up being a chance for local legislators to explain the difficulties of making broad cuts with an already svelte budget in place.

A few suggestions did come forward from the crowd of about 30 who attended the forum. One was to require people who qualify to obtain a handicapped parking permit or license plate to pay the same amount as those who purchase other license plates. Another suggestion was to retain 20 percent of each permanent fund dividend check to fund education, thereby cutting back on one of the largest portions of the budget. Focusing state money toward revenue-generating projects, such as putting a rail spur to Port MacKenzie, may not cut spending, but it was one way to increase revenue in the future.

Others suggested eliminating coverage for those who abuse Denali KidCare, decreasing the amount of revenue sharing the state offers on school bonds and reviewing the regulations -- and reasoning behind them -- for some industries in the state, namely day care.

Developing coal-bed methane, one attendee said, was another good way to generate additional state revenue. The state, he said, should stop listening to the few vocal people who spread lies about development dangers, and allow CBM companies to get to work.

His comments were seconded by others at the forum.

"Alaska has the best environmental report of all 50 states with oil and gas developers," Noel Woods said. "The problem up here with resource development are these people -- wolf control, cutting trees, it doesn't matter what we do to bring good money into this state."

Rep. Bill Stoltze suggested that the public outcry against CBM development may have some merit behind it.

"It's not just Friends of Mat-Su -- this is real peoples' problem; a lot of people who don't normally get involved in government are getting involved," Stoltze said. "I think as conservatives, we have to respect the whole spectrum."

Another attendee, Norm Kroening, said in his experience as a mortgage banker, coal-bed methane drilling could place property owners in a position where they could lose their mortgage.

"If I know the land below your house is a target for drilling, I'm going to foreclose on your house," Kroening said. "Underwriters want free and clear mortgages."

Kroening explained that, if the drilling were to depreciate the value of the property, it could bring the loan into jeopardy, whether or not home buyers are making scheduled mortgage payments.

Kroening, who said he was an independent voter not registered with any party, called the three Republican legislators present at the meeting to task for single-minded representation.

"I've got to tell you, you've lost it here -- the confidence of the people is gone," Kroening said. "We're not going to solve this problem of credibility unless you turn around and buy back those leases. There's a lot of close elections in this Valley -- don't count on getting back in again, because right now, you've aggravated so many people, it's no slam-dunk."

Kroening suggested putting a sales tax in place -- a small sales tax, he said, that wouldn't apply to rural areas where the economy won't withstand it.

"You can't do it all in one step," Kroening said. "If you start with a small sales tax and continue cutting where applicable … eliminate food, drugs, whatever else, don't put it on people who can't pay for it."

Kroening added that the state should "stop fooling around with consultants," and build a natural gas pipeline in order to increase revenue in the state.

Aaron Downing said he, in principle, agreed with Kroening's remarks -- that Republicans should look to independent voters -- the largest voting block in the state -- for guidance about how to win future elections. And, although he didn't mention specific methods, said it was time the Legislature faced the music and settled the state's fiscal problems.

"There has to be, at some point in time, some new sources of revenue," Downing said, adding that no one really wants to see taxes levied. "But some hard choices have to be made now. I've heard several conversations that they're probably not going to bite that bullet 'till we are broke."

"It's not easy," said Rep. Carl Gatto, as he explained that successful legislation was often a matter of who's chairing the committees it must pass through, not whether the legislation itself is good for the state. "It's a very difficult process to get your way -- even if you're convinced your way is the right way. You do the best you can with what you have, and you try to make the best of it."

While no commitments were made by the three legislators present as to what would or would not be a part of the upcoming budget, Rep. Beverly Masek, R-Willow, said she felt the discussion was fruitful.

"It's important for us to sit down and have this discussion," Masek said, "because people are now finding out how complicated it is for us to develop our budget."