Foraker supports comprehensive fiscal plan that includes income tax

Apr 25, 2017

Posted Under: Advocacy

Today The Foraker Governance Board issued the following statement to the Alaska legislature on the importance of a comprehensive fiscal plan that includes a progressive revenue measure.

The Foraker Group, as Alaska’s State Nonprofit Association, has strongly and consistently stated, through its 2015, 2016, and 2017 Public Policy Priorities, and through our advocacy and outreach activities with members of the state legislature, that passage of a comprehensive fiscal plan is essential, and that an income tax must be part of such a package. We urge the state legislature to work diligently now to pass an income tax that is part of a comprehensive long-term fiscal plan that promotes strong rural and urban communities, and protects Alaska’s most vulnerable populations, education, and cultural life. As individual board members we are prepared to share a tax burden that is based on fairness, equity, and ability to pay.

If you, like other nonprofit professionals across the state, are concerned about how the state’s fiscal issues will affect your organization and your ability to serve your community – join us this week in making our collective voice heard. Our sector is an important economic driver in Alaska and we provide critical community services that aren’t available in any other way. Our sector will only thrive when the state’s fiscal challenges are met.

We believe the best way to achieve this is through a balanced and comprehensive fiscal plan that includes a fair, equitable, and progressive revenue source.

Here are two actions you can take this week:

1. Call – Write – Email

For organizations that support a comprehensive fiscal plan, the most effective thing you can do is to call or send a note to your senator or representative and copy the leadership (Sen. Pete Kelly, Sen. Berta Gardner, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, and Rep. Charisse Millett, and members of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee so everyone can count up the support).

Below are ideas for what you can say. Personalize these notes to make them yours:

I am your constituent and I vote.
The time is NOW for a comprehensive fiscal plan.
We, the people of Alaska, recognize the difficult challenges you face.
Lawmakers often say that their constituents don’t support an income tax. This is incorrect. When surveyed, Alaskans agreed that we need new revenue and they are open to a personal income tax.
The legislature and Governor Walker have made billions in cuts over the past three years. Further cuts jeopardize our communities, our local economy, and the nonprofit organizations that serve the entire state.
As a resident and a voter, I urge you to implement a comprehensive fiscal plan that includes a progressive revenue measure.

2. Testify

If you want to take an additional step and endorse a specific bill, there are several opportunities to act this week. You can learn more about the current HB115 here.

Public Testimony on HB115 will be taken Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 25, 26, and 27 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Testimony is limited to two minutes. Please note that the Legislature prefers people to go to your local LIO to provide testimony. However, if that’s impractical, the committee chair’s office (907-465-4968) can arrange for you to call the off-net number (1-844-586-9085).

The Labor & Commerce Committee will hold additional hearings throughout the week for invited testimony and debate. A full schedule of hearings can be found here.

Contact information for your legislators

Below is a list of communities and neighborhoods represented by key lawmakers should you decide to activate your broad universe of constituents, friends, and family.

INTERIOR:
Sen. Click Bishop representing UAF and University West, China Ridge, Kenny Lake, Tok and Copper Center [email and cc: Senator.Pete.Kelly@akleg.gov, Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov, Representative.Charisse.Millett@akleg.gov, Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov, Senator.Mia.Costello@akleg.gov, Senator.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Senator.Kevin.Meyer@akleg.gov, Senator.Gary.Stevens@akleg.gov] Sen. Pete Kelly representing Fairbanks [email and cc: Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov, Representative.Charisse.Millett@akleg.gov, Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov, Senator.Mia.Costello@akleg.gov, Senator.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Senator.Kevin.Meyer@akleg.gov, Senator.Gary.Stevens@akleg.gov] Sen. John Coghill representing Fairbanks and North Pole [email and cc: Senator.Pete.Kelly@akleg.gov, Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov, Representative.Charisse.Millett@akleg.gov, Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov, Senator.Mia.Costello@akleg.gov, Senator.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Senator.Kevin.Meyer@akleg.gov, Senator.Gary.Stevens@akleg.gov]

KENAI PENINSULA:
Sen. Peter Micciche representing Kenai, Soldotna, Seward, Nikiski, Funny River, Sterling, Cooper Landing & Moose Pass [email and cc: Senator.Pete.Kelly@akleg.gov, Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov, Representative.Charisse.Millett@akleg.gov, Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov, Senator.Mia.Costello@akleg.gov, Senator.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Senator.Kevin.Meyer@akleg.gov, Senator.Gary.Stevens@akleg.gov] Sen. Gary Stevens representing Kodiak Island, Cordova, Homer, Anchor Point, Kasilof, Ninilchik, Yakutat, Seldovia, and Tyonek
[email and cc: Senator.Pete.Kelly@akleg.gov, Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov, Representative.Charisse.Millett@akleg.gov, Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov, Senator.Mia.Costello@akleg.gov, Senator.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Senator.Kevin.Meyer@akleg.gov]

SOUTHEAST / KODIAK:
Sen. Bert Stedman representing Ketchikan, Sitka, Wrangell, Metlakatla, Craig, Petersburg, Klawock, and Hoonah [email and cc: Senator.Pete.Kelly@akleg.gov, Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov, Representative.Charisse.Millett@akleg.gov, Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov, Senator.Mia.Costello@akleg.gov, Senator.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Senator.Kevin.Meyer@akleg.gov, Senator.Gary.Stevens@akleg.gov] Sen. Dennis Egan representing Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Gustavus and Klukwan [email and cc: Senator.Pete.Kelly@akleg.gov, Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov, Representative.Charisse.Millett@akleg.gov, Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov, Senator.Mia.Costello@akleg.gov, Senator.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Senator.Kevin.Meyer@akleg.gov, Senator.Gary.Stevens@akleg.gov] Sen. Gary Stevens representing Kodiak Island, Cordova, Homer, Anchor Point, Kasilof, Ninilchik, Yakutat, Seldovia, and Tyonek
[email and cc: Senator.Pete.Kelly@akleg.gov, Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov, Representative.Charisse.Millett@akleg.gov, Senator.Berta.Gardner@akleg.gov, Senator.Mia.Costello@akleg.gov, Senator.Shelley.Hughes@akleg.gov, Senator.Kevin.Meyer@akleg.gov]

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