Rather than a bully pulpit, Gov. Bill Walker has opted for a passive pulpit. President Theodore Roosevelt made famous the bully pulpit when he successfully campaigned the public to support his banking reforms.
Today, the House Majority has shown the leadership and courage to give us a sustainable fiscal solution. Ironically, their proposal is very similar to what the governor advocated a mere three years ago. Yet, the governor’s recent compromise has devolved into splitting the baby — with its unavoidable and undesirable consequences. It does not eliminate the budget deficit. It leaves fundamental flaws in our government such as unaffordable tax giveaways, no significant new revenues, and letting non-resident workers off the hook. Most importantly, it squanders the Permanent Fund Dividends to create a sub-marginal plan.
And, of course, the Senate’s proposal is hardly worth mentioning as a meaningful alternative. It’s an ideological and desperate attempt to cling to the status quo — an oil-fueled 30-year party to end all parties. It’s a guaranteed long-term disaster — with or without their pending government shutdown.
What is most disturbing is that the governor started out with a great foundation for a solution. With vision and leadership he held public forums across the state. Planning tools were provided so that a broad cross-section of residents could learn how to craft a fair and sustainable solution. That is: budget cuts, new revenues, oil tax reforms and restructuring of the Permanent Fund. However, the Senate chose to obstruct for three years in a row and we tolerated the spending down of the savings account — by the billions. And, we still face fundamental budget imbalances under the Senate’s proposal.
Ironically, the House Majority has to go it alone even though they have accomplished much of what the governor originally proposed.
Rather than a passive pulpit, the governor opted for a bully pulpit. It may be the only way to get the Senate to compromise. It would be a tough fight, but a message of “I’ll lead the charge but you have to stand with me” is far better than capitulating to the Senate’s intransigence.
Unfortunately, the governor’s passivity may be a preoccupation with the bond markets and a dream of a gas pipeline. Alternatively, it would be better to support the House Majority and do the right thing.
Joe Mehrkens
Petersburg