A small group Kenai Peninsula residents turned out Thursday night for a community brainstorming work shop on ways help the state budget deficit.
“Anytime that we can get public opinions out or break things down to what the people really think rather than the politicians, I’m all for that.”
“Taxes. Income tax first and then a revision of the taxes on minerals and fishing and everything.”
“I just want to get more information, see more information exactly what the deficit is. What is the per capita cost for our operation verses other states.”
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre and Soldotna Senator Peter Micciche attended the meeting.
Sen. Micciche said the biggest thing he took away from the meeting was a need to communicate with constituents.
He said the suggestion of a state income tax to correct the deficit is common however does not balance out.
Sen. Micciche(R-Soldotna): “We had $17.4 billion total earnings last year in Alaska with a $4 billion gap. There would be a 23% tax rate but the bottom third of income earners don’t pay taxes so if you try to meet it with an income tax it’s simply not possible, it would double your federal income taxes.”
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