With amusement, I note the phrase "experts on Alaska's economy who know what the stakes are..." Guess that rules out me, and other non-elites. We, the people, are clearly confused. We equate the 10,000 jobs lost from the governor's veto of your dividends, and the poverty that it caused, more noteworthy than the 10,000 jobs "at risk" from cuts to government overspending. Mr. Cole, like most "experts" confines his discussion of cuts to "roads", schools, police, airports--(all "Agency Operations) and equates them to what "free people" want.  Yet he conveniently forgets that the walled off "Formula Programs" and "Statewide Programs" total over $5 billion--and far exceed what Alaskans want. To Mr Cole, this part of the budget is off limits. 

He equates "good schools" with more money. No! Good schools come from innovation, high standards, elements of choice (freedom to choose) and accountability for results.

Can we trust promises to cut? At least it's moving in the right direction.