Without responsible action by responsible people in this room, the jobs, homes and businesses of Alaskan families are at risk. So is Alaska's long-term financial security. Balancing Alaska's budget requires a plan - a commitment to use all the tools available to us. There are those who will offer simplistic, bumper sticker solutions. Their claims may be memorable, but they don't measure up.
Serious problems demand serious solutions.
Last year, virtually all of us here agreed we needed a plan when we created the Long-Range Financial Planning Commission. Senate President Pearce and House Speaker Phillips jointly sponsored the resolution that established the commission, and I commend you both for your leadership. This bipartisan group of 15 Alaskans worked long and hard and deserve our thanks. I urge a result of these hearings be a firm legislative commitment to balance Alaska's budget in no more than six years. Alaskans deserve no less.