This Wk's Top 3| What oil prices should the #akleg use for the #AKbudget, some more important PFC numbers & a detailed distributional analysis (#WhoPays) must be a mandatory part of any #akleg tax discussion. https://www.facebook.com/share/1AeKab8VcA/

Some view the #AKbudget as fenced, that taxes on/cuts in PFDs are necessary to maintain spending. BUT IT'S NOT. Lower-impact revenue options are readily available to replace PFD cuts and maintain spending. #akleg

Alaska's "business elite" list the state of the #AKecon as their biggest concern, but then push #akleg PFD cuts, which have the "largest adverse impact" on the #AKecon (but the lowest impact on Top20% #AKfams) as their solution to #AKbudget. #MoreConcernedWithThemselvesThanEcon

As Revenue Comm'r Adam Crum had the opportunity to demonstrate competence at both oil revs & PF earnings, the core of the #AKbudget. He has failed miserably at both, leaving #AKfams exposed to personal taxes instead. What record does he think he will run for #AKgov on? #akleg

Because of its regressive impact, many would raise issues if one-third of the #AKbudget was being financed with a sales tax. Why is it that the same level is being financed using MUCH MORE regressive (and impactful) PFD cuts (with no exemptions), and the same players are just going along? #akleg

This Wk's Top 3| Nearly a third of FY26 spending is being paid for by PFD cuts: we examine #WhoPays, Anna MacKinnon picks up from where she left off in the Senate & how the #akleg could stop the OPEC tail from wagging the #AKbudget dog. T'row, 6:05a on the Michael Dukes Show at https://buff.ly/TqKUWs2

The #AKbudget doesn't have to be whipped around by oil price volatility. We've chosen to do it to ourselves. Here's how to avoid it in the future. #akleg https://buff.ly/YzsxYZQ

Some blindly argue that, of the personal tax alts, an income tax is best for dealing with #AKbudget deficits. But the rate required is HUGE (30%) if they have the old "% of federal taxes paid" approach in mind. The numbers suggest an ultra-broad-based sales tax is a better option. https://buff.ly/SdUhySD

This also helps explain why the #AKbudget is difficult (impossible?) to cut. Politicians (& media) at all levels focus on "bringing home the bacon" regardless of its impact on deficits. This is federal, but the same thing happens at the state level. #akleg https://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/2025-defense-budget-bill-includes-724m-for-alaska-military-projects/article_6f61dd5a-be60-11ef-8dc0-77eec6417f8f.html