Bill Walker in 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches


On Budget & Economy: Strengthen budget savings plan

I introduced the Alaska Permanent Fund Protection Act. If we don't make significant changes in how we fund government, we will drain the constitutional budget reserve within two years and the permanent fund earnings reserve in another two years. The Permanent Fund Protection Act makes the permanent fund stronger by directing additional revenues to it. It puts government on an allowance; and it makes the permanent fund permanent. Q
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Budget & Economy: Natural resource royalties to be paid out in dividends

My plan makes half of the state's share of our natural resource royalties go toward dividends. The first year, dividend checks will be funded at a flat thousand dollars for each qualified resident. Since the program began, the average dividend check has been about $1,150. Going forward, dividends would be tied to resource royalties. There will be no cap on the dividend. When new oil flows through TAPS, oil prices rise, or the gasline project is built, dividends will go up.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Civil Rights: Modernize voter registration & vote online

We increased access to the polls for Alaskans with limited English proficiency. We also now have a language assistance coordinator to ensure all Alaskans can exercise the right to vote. In addition, we are modernizing our voter registration system. As of November 24, Alaskans can register to vote online. Nearly 1,000 Alaskans have already done so.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Corporations: Increase certain business licensing fees to raise money

The fisheries, mining license and cruise ship head tax measures ensure that all sectors of our economy contribute to the solution. The fisheries bill proposes an increase of 1 percent to various fisheries levies. The mining license tax proposes an increase of 2 percent. The first $100,000 of a company's income is exempt from the increase. The cruise ship head tax legislation eliminates an existing port fees credit deduction.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Crime: Restore 'Prison Industries' job skills to reduce recidivism

We are looking into bringing back what used to be called Prison Industries. More than 4,700 Alaskans are incarcerated. I am a firm believer that the best cure for many social ills is a job. We are exploring opportunities to better prepare prisoners for re-entry into society.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Crime: Need to reduce costs of prison system

The Alaska legislature has before them a criminal justice reform initiative that is the result of collaboration between all three branches of government--legislative, executive and judicial. It proposes practical reforms to reduce crime and recidivism rates, relieve overcrowding and improve conditions in our prisons. These reforms could save Alaska up to $500 million over the next decade.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Energy & Oil: Expand exportation of LNG to Asian markets

The reception we received in Japan in September from the Asian marketplace following my presentation at the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference was extremely encouraging. The market has not forgotten the relationship Alaska forged with Japan to export LNG. The Asian market stands ready to work with Alaska to ensure the pipeline is built and the LNG project at Nikiski is successful.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Energy & Oil: Invest in renewables to diversify economy

We have traditionally been an energy state. As we diversify our economy, we have an opportunity to be a leader in renewable energy, emerging energy technologies and energy efficiency. With our abundant wind, geothermal, tidal and even solar resources, we are uniquely suited to test, develop and deploy these technologies. On a practical level, reducing diesel use in our remote communities lowers costs for families, government and local businesses; and increases energy security.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Tax Reform: Proposes modest increase in income tax

I'm proposing a modest income tax linked to the federal income tax. It amounts to less than 1 percent of the gross income for the average Alaskan. We selected an income tax over a sales tax for a couple of reasons. We wanted out-of-state workers who commute back and forth to Alaska to contribute to the solution. We also were sensitive to local governments that already have a sales tax. We didn't want to stack a state sales tax on top of a local sales tax.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Tax Reform: Increase on alcohol and tobacco tax

We are also proposing an increase to the alcohol and tobacco tax. I think of these as user fees. Alaskans are free to make their own choices, but there are significant public health and safety costs related to alcohol and tobacco use. These hit our general fund hard, and these taxes help offset those costs.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Alaska legislature Jan 21, 2016

The above quotations are from 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches.
Click here for other excerpts from 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches.
Click here for other excerpts by Bill Walker.
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Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018