I am writing to register my opposition to further budget cuts for the Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Education K-12 and the University of Alaska.
Your colleagues, Peter Micciche, R-Kenai, David Wilson, R-North Pole, and Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, are famous for saying, “if no one is complaining, then we aren’t cutting enough.” I ask you how the vulnerable, the marginalized, the elderly, the underage and the condemned are supposed to “complain.” They don’t have the privilege I do of writing letters and calling my representatives.
We must stand and speak for all Alaskans, not just the privileged with ahistorical, Anglo-Saxon upbringings. Miccicche’s proposed cuts will close both the Kenai and Kodiak Public Health Nursing centers this year and lay off nurses. Remember, cutting services puts us all at risk of infectious disease.
Six public health centers were closed last year. The public has had enough. Last year, the Public Health Nursing program budget was decreased by 20 percent. The public health centers in Cordova, Ft. Yukon, Galena, Haines, Seward and Wrangell were closed, 31 positions were eliminated, and services reduced which puts us all at risk of negative health outcomes and community health threats. Voters will hold the GOP accountable for the next disease outbreak.
Earlier this session, the House proposed a University of Alaska funding level of $325 million, the same amount proposed by Gov. Walker in December. The Senate Finance Committee released its version of the operating budget which included a 5 percent cut to the House’s number, approximately $309 million. I am disappointed yet hopeful the committees will support the higher of the two proposed FY18 operating budgets.
Regarding K-12 education and the DHSS, I can think of nothing more brutal to a democracy than cutting public services that reach the most vulnerable in our communities. Not preparing Alaskan youth for jobs in Alaska means Kelly and Wilson would rather hire individuals from the Lower 48, further disenfranchising Alaska’s fragile economy.
Please don’t follow the small-minded GOP wingnuts into hijacking our democracy, economy and our beautiful state. Do your job. The Senate and House finance committees seem to think voters are too stupid to be watching. Newsflash, we are watching and we aren’t stupid. We will remember in the next election.
Alaskans want revenue generation, not more cuts, as the Senate Majority Survey results indicate. The price of oil will not return to the “glory days of yesteryear” no matter how much the oil industry dazzles you with sparkly things. Your constituents are actually asking for taxes to maintain services. I kindly suggest you all wake up.
I have personally debated with two GOP reps in recent days about the Permanent Fund Dividend issue. Both said, “rural people want their PFD” as if that was some type of rationale. Who would say “no” to free money?
Bottom line, I was a nurse living in bush Alaska for many years. You know what happens at PFD time all over Alaska? Increases in violence, child abuse, sexual assault and massive alcohol/drug-related injuries and deaths occur. Give me a break.
Alaskans are not freeloaders and we want sustainable government services that help our neighbors. The time of the GOP slash-and-burn, anti-government crusade is over.
Alaskans demand you create a multi-pronged budget that diversifies our revenue strategies, harvests energy wisely, protects the environment AND includes a modest tax infrastructure for our shared future. Education, health and safety must come first.
• Jennifer Meyer, RN, MPH, CPH, is the past president of the Alaska Public Health Association. She resides in Juneau.
