To Rep. Cathy Munoz, of Juneau:
It’s unlikely you remember me, but I was a page for the Alaska House of Representatives for the 2012-13 legislative session. After graduating college in the summer of 2012 with my degree in political science, I was looking for a way to experience my state government in action. My time at the Legislature was a tremendous educational opportunity, for which I will always be thankful.
During my time as a page, I observed both the political and personal sides of all the representatives. The biggest lesson I took from the experience is to judge my elected officials both by their political beliefs and the content of their character. Some representatives treated the pages like servants, while others were kind and considerate. The way a person treats their subordinates matters a great deal in life, and I truly thank you for always being kind and polite to me and my fellow pages. That kindness did not go unnoticed.
I mention this as a prelude to why I am writing today. After reading a Nov. 7 article from the Alaska Dispatch News entitled “Lawmakers’ anti-tax pledge could block Walker’s fiscal plan — if they stand by it,” I am forced to remove my support for you in any future elections you may enter. Alaskans have enjoyed the benefits of a relatively citizen-friendly tax structure for many years. The lack of state-level income, sales and property taxes reflects the desires of many Alaskans to be as unencumbered by their government as possible. I consider myself to be one of these Alaskans.
Government exists to benefit the greater good, and as someone who draws a paycheck from the state of Alaska I’m sure you can agree that it serves a vital role in our society. Alaska sits at a financial crossroads. Though taxes are an unappealing proposition to both citizens and legislators alike, cutting vital services to the bone is an even worse idea. As I’m sure you are aware, Alaska is a “leader” in many horrible categories: suicide, addiction and domestic violence, to name a few. Regional issues such as cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System and rising classroom sizes represent other problems for Southeast Alaska which cannot be ignored.
The ADN article credits you as saying you’d have to “think about” your position as a signee on the pledge to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” I sincerely hope you re-evaluate your hardline stance on this issue. While raising taxes is not a palatable option, tough times require tough decisions. To take such a black and white stance on an issue as complex as Alaska’s budget crisis is, I believe, foolhardy and not in the best interests of your constituents. I cannot continue to lend you my support so long as you continue to remain rigid and unwilling to compromise on this issue.
Ben Grammel
Juneau