No matter how Alaska education is packaged, it is simply the easiest money to take and repurpose in order to satisfy the oil industry's appetite.

The funds are being taken from more than education. Moneys are taken from all facets of the Alaska community equaling more than $1 billion of tax programs, subsidies and state credits payable to the richest industry in the world — even if the oil industry fails to produce or if the market isn't buying.

The Alaska Legislature needs to pass a plan prioritizing our community and our students above oil industry subsidies and tax credits. This can be done by thinking about ways to create revenue and other industries that would benefit the state's earning potential.

With that, the Alaska Legislature's uncertainty, missed deadlines, and lack of proactive planning should not be rewarded with overtime and additional per diem. This responsibility should be fulfilled as part of the job they agreed to, at no additional cost to the citizens of Alaska.