Alaska Municipal League
From Sunshine Review
Contents |
[edit] Lobbying priorities
The League's lobbying priorities are outlined in its 2009 Legislative Priorities. [2]
[edit] Energy
The AML supports the expansion of funding for:[2]
- Alternative energy development, including amendments to the Renewable Energy Fund "as needed".
- Increased funding toward weatherization and home conservation programs.
- Creation of a conservation and fuel efficiency incentive program for utilities.
- Continued Power Cost Equalization (PCE) funding with the expansion to public facilities, municipal facilities and potentially to small businesses.
[edit] Revenue Sharing
Full funding of $60 million into the Revenue Sharing Fund and appropriation of the full $60 million from the Revenue Sharing Fund into the FY 2010 budget to the communities.[2]
[edit] PERS/TRS
Continue to fully fund the State’s annual share of the PERS/TRS liability as set forth in SB 125.[2]
[edit] Education
- The League supports continued long-term funding of the education foundation program, school debt reimbursement, and construction and opposes any change in the State’s Foundation Formula that would increase the burden to local government.[2]
- The League supports funding annual incremental increases to provide for inflationary cost increases of health insurance, teacher’s salaries and operating costs.[2]
- Funding for building projects outside of the education foundation formula.[2]
[edit] Past issue stances
Alaska Permanent Fund: The permanent fund was originally designed to help Alaska financially as oil revenue diminished. The annual earnings alone from the fund can almost guarantee dividends starting at $1,000 every year and that way provide revenue for schools and local services.[3] The Alaska Municipal League believes the management of the $26 billion Alaska Permanent Fund should be modified so that money is freed up for public services.[4] The state would be able to access 5 percent of the total value of the permanent fund each year.[4]
The municipal league platform supports use of permanent fund money for public services through a community dividend, originally proposed by Governor Walter Hickel. Currently, the state has access only to fund earnings.[4] Most of what doesn't get reinvested in the fund is spent on dividends.[4] The league also wants the state to attach fiscal notes reporting the cost to municipalities of the bills it considers.[4]
A "Community Dividend" originally proposed by former Governor Walter Hickel[5] could be a way to ensure continued local control of the permanent fund earnings.
Taxes: In 2001, the League supported a state income tax to solve the state's fiscal problems and opposed a sales tax if imposed by the state, believing in municipal control.[4] A year later in 2002, the Alaska Municipal League dropped its call for an income tax, instead supporting the development of additional sources of revenue. [6] The league's position that sales taxes should stay local remains unchanged.[6]
[edit] Support of Sarah Palin
The League received criticism for its support of 2008 Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who is a former president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.[7]
[edit] Additional reading
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ↑ National League of Cities - State Municipal Leagues
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2009 Legislative Priorities
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Kenai Peninsula Online, "Alaska Municipal League: Tap permanent fund", November 16, 2003
- ↑ Kenai Peninsula Online, "Residents must come together to avert pending financial disaster", February 16, 2004
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kenai Peninsula Online,"Alaska Municipal League drops call for income tax" November 17, 2002
- ↑ "Palin receives praise from municipal league; worries teachers", January 24, 2007
