The Honorable George Rauscher
Alaska House of Representatives
State Capitol Room 426
Juneau AK, 99801
Dear Representative Rauscher,
On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our strong support for House Joint Resolution 1. This resolution would amend the state constitution to codify important protections for taxpayers by requiring voter approval of income tax and sales tax increases via a referendum. NTU encourages all members to support this important proposal that would help keep money in the pockets of Alaskan taxpayers.
As you are keenly aware, Alaska is just one of a handful of states that does not levy a tax on individual income or on goods at the point of sale. So while this resolution would have no impact on taxes today, it is a forward-looking proposal that will force the state to live within its means in the years to come. Enacting this measure will encourage lawmakers to make spending reforms instead of burdening taxpayers with future tax increases. It is impossible to predict how the political landscape will change over the next few years, so requiring tax increases to be put before the public is a responsible way to ensure the people have a voice in future tax policy.
If this resolution is adopted, Alaska would also join more than a dozen states that require voter approval or have legislative “supermajority” mechanisms in their tax structures. House Joint Resolution 1 would make it more challenging to hike taxes than to cut taxes, a rational and prudent approach that would help preserve Alaska’s low-tax climate.
Consent of the public is critical in a democracy. Input from the public is vital when lawmakers consider extremely unpopular proposals like tax increases. That is why ensuring voters and taxpayers have the final say in any proposal to raise taxes is paramount.
Sincerely,
Thomas Aiello
Policy and Government Affairs Associate