A meeting of minds to address Alaska’s fiscal situation is open to the public on Thursday, September 17, in Soldotna.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre said it is important for local residents to get involved with the state’s current financial crisis because it’s not going to disappear.
Mayor Navarre: “There’s been some discussion about the fact that at some point oil prices are going to go up. Oil prices are not going to go up quick enough and even if they do our production is steadily declining. There’s only been two times since 1988 that oil production has actually tipped upwards in the state of Alaska. We’ve been in a steady decline since 1988 when oil production peaked at over two million barrels per day.”
Mayor Navarre has said that many of the state agencies are already “cut to the bone” although Alaskans continue to suggest further budget reductions.
One option necessary to consider is using the earnings from the Permanent Fund Dividend earnings, according to Navarre.
Alaskans can test their suggestions via an online tool from the State of Alaska where they can see the impacts of their ideas online, which can be accessed by clicking here.
The meeting at the Soldotna Library will begin at 5 pm Thursday.