Sir, while I believe you are correct concerning oil taxes; in order to close the deficit, State of Alaska spending must be further reduced. 

You speak of losses to students, but this can be fixed by cutting administrative expenses like the 4 districts on Prince of Wales Island; that is just one example. The state foots the bill and this money isn't available for instruction and curriculum: it my view this is not acceptable. 

Why look just at oil taxes: we have a net loss of $600,000,000 as we clean up the mess from alcohol. With about $40 million is alcohol tax revenue this is an unmitigated disaster. I have ask the legislature to jointly proclaim alcohol a dangerous drug and advise people to avoid it, and have been met with refusal. The net loss equals the governor's veto of PFD dollars. In short, we are asking Alaskans who don't drink to foot the bill for our alcoholics. And you talk about loss of money for education.

Let's begin using the tools we have to address these problems!