Governor Sean Parnell’s State of the State Address
was truly impressive. He laid out a vision for Alaska that was at once pragmatic and idealistic; optimistic yet achievable.

Here are some of the high points:

*Federal Takeover

Parnell first asked Uncle Sam to back off.
“The federal government’s actions often seem at war with Alaskan interests,”

Parnell said. The Governor talked about federal misuse of the Endangered Species Act, Critical Habitat Designation, and marine spatial planning.

“They are job killers,” Parnell warned. “And beyond the feds authority.”

True story.

The 10nth Amendment states that, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states.”

James Madison (The Father of the Constitution) stated that the “powers delegated to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which remain to the state governments, are numerous and indefinite.” (Federalist 45)

Parnell has it right. Washington has got it backwards.

*Incentives:

There are some legislators who want the Governor to immediately dismantle the 25% oil tax (ACES). They argue that the tax rate is causing less exploration.

In his speech, Parnell seemed to reject that argument. Parnell stated he had “requested economic models detailing how our oil tax regime, known as ACES, is working.”

And, after looking at the evidence, Parnell decided to offer oil tax credits.
Parnell stated that oil tax credits are better than a repeal of ACES, “because companies must invest here in Alaska, create Alaskan jobs, and drill more wells before qualifying for these new tax benefits.”

Although, I lean towards a return to the 22.5% tax, I appreciate the Governor’s pro-incentive stance. It certainly deserves serious consideration.

*Incentives II:

Parnell’s also proposed an “income tax credit for tourism companies that contribute to an Alaska tourism marketing program.”
Having worked aboard a Holland America train for four summers, I can well appreciate the need for tourist dollars. (Thank you, dear tourists, for paying my way through college)

*Speaking of Education…

When I taught at Wasilla High, the other teachers and I often spent lunch discussing ways to better inspire the students.

It’s not easy.

Many of our failing students came from failing homes… And, many of these homes were on the lower end of the socio-economic scale.

That is why I was deeply impressed with the Governor’s Performance Scholarship (GPS) proposal: The GPS gives both rich and poor an equal chance at a free college education.

And it keeps our kids in Alaskan colleges -- which is yet another investment into our state’s future.

Now, for those who are unaware, Alaskan students are eligible for the GPS is they take “four years… of math, science, and English and three years of social studies.”

~If a student maintains a ‘C+’ average they will earn 50 percent of their college tuition
~‘B’ average students will earn them 75 percent college tuition
~ ‘A’ average students will earn 100 percent tuition for an in-state university or job-training program.

The Performance Scholarship is an idea for today; and it is an idea that both parties should latch onto.

There is nothing more valuable than investing in our future.

*Safe Homes Communities and Schools

I have really appreciated the Governor’s outspoken campaign against sexual and domestic violence.

In his speech, the Governor said:

“We cannot be indifferent or uncommitted when our children are nearly six times more likely to be sexually assaulted in Alaska than anywhere else in the nation. We cannot stand aside when our reported rape rates are 2.5 times the national average.

That – fellow Alaskans – is an epidemic.”

How sadly true… We, Alaskans, have a moral imperative to do something about the violence.

Parnell is proposing a few ways to stop the violence:

1) Hire more Village Public Safety Officers, and give longer prison sentences to sexual offenders.
2) Increase the healing -- by allocating more funds for shelters, “and providing survivors with a refuge from abusive situations.”
3) Prevent further violence by speaking out. The state, Parnell said, is working with the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to draw attention to this enormous problem.

I was very moved by this third aspect of Parnell’s plan. Governor is calling us to “chang(e) our statewide culture” – to start talking about something that we have ignored for so long.

Yes, changing our culture is a huge task; seeimingly insurmountable…

But, not impossible.

I also urge our Governor to tackle drug and alcohol abuse, in tandem with his war on sexual abuse. Alcohol is a catalyst for a great deal of Alaska’s sexual violence. And in Alaska, there are very few drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers (There are only two in the Mat-Su Valley).

I ask the legislature to set aside large grants for non-profit organizations that deal with drug and alcohol rehab. To help break the cycle of addiction that enslaves so many Alaskans.

So, I was (obviously) very impressed with Governor Parnell’s speech.

I sincerely hope that our legislature eschews election year politicking, and works with our Governor to pass these desperately needed proposals.

And I hope that we, the people, remember to write and call to our legislators. Yes, we must continually remind them that we are watching them, and holding them accountable.

We must remind them that their job is to work for us and for our kids; to secure a better tomorrow for Alaska.