The state has a "ConocoPhillips employees steer Alaska oil tax cut bill through Legislature" problem

http://www.adn.com/politics/article/series-conoco-employees-help-ease-oil-tax-bill-through-legislature/2013/03/28/

But the legislature should cut spending on megaprojects, the LIO, gaming the per diem...but they don't actually seem all that concerned about the budget "crisis" they created.

This is what made me realize they created the budget "crisis" on purpose, as an excuse to tap the Permanent Fund, a permanent goal they have had for years...

From Official Election Pamphlet 1999
"Vote no and lose your dividend. It will quickly disappear and the Permanent Fund will shrivel in value. We no longer have enough oil production to produce the revenues we need to keep vital state services flowing. Even if oil prices doubled, oil production is half of what it was just 10 years ago and continues to decline every day. Cuts alone will not close the budget gap and will not save your dividend"