Representative Kurt Olson of Soldotna has some big plans for the summer after the legislature completes their work…
Rep. Olson(R-District 30): “I think I’m probably going to take my wife on a trip and I’m not worried about campaigning this year because I withdrew my letter of intent on April 1.”
He says he has very much enjoyed the experience during the 12 years he’s held the District 30 seat in the House but he’s ready to spend more time with his family.
Olson says it freed him up to introduce a couple of bills recently without external influence, one of those being the bill to tax Alaskans’ Permanent Fund Dividends by 35 percent if no sustainable plan is implemented.
Rep. Olson (R – District 30): “The minute there is a long-term plan in that back fills the deficit that we have, this plan will self-destruct immediately.”
He says that legislation is meant to be a fail safe in case lawmakers do not come to an agreement on a plan for Alaska’s future in time to implement it for the next fiscal year.
Olson also introduced a bill to to change the way that legislators’ per diems are calculated during their regular and special sessions.
The representative reflected on a couple of more memorable moments in the House…
Rep. Olson (R – District 30): “I think being on the losing side of a major issue but ultimately being on the right side of it, as it played out, that being ACES and AGIA, I was in a minority that was under 21 votes which in the House is what you need to get the bill through, but I think it turned out. We’re still digging ourselves out of that. Being on the right side of Senate Bill 21 because that one has made us a lot more money in the down market that we’re in right now than we would have had if we had not gone that direction.”
He says he is not endorsing anyone in particular for the primary election but advises the next person representing District 30 to be consistent and not be afraid to say no.
