Legislature--This is your time to shine! (From the Publisher).

• Author: McCorkle, Vern C.
• Position: Alaskan lawmakers - Brief Article

Vern C. McCorkle

We now have the Second Session of the Twenty-Second Legislature of Alaska. When it is over in May (?) let's hope that we don't say "good riddance!"

Scanning the press, and the press releases of many lawmakers, the public is being setup for a massive case of legislative paralysis. If that occurs it would be a tragedy of monumental proportions because the problems confronting this legislature are staggering.

Lawmakers and pundits have been telling us this session is going to be a disaster; that nothing important will get done and we might just as well get used to it. Well don't look now, but we are used to it. Have been for years, if one thinks about the budget shortfall, a long-term fiscal plan and subsistence, not to mention possible new taxes and service cutbacks. (All political third rails in an election year.) Then add our fishing and timber industries all but closed out, and diminishing hopes for any early action to market Alaska's petroleum and gas resources, and brother, the conditions look bleak. If you want to look at them that way. We do not!

If there was ever a time for lawmakers to find strength and courage to act on these issues, now is that time. There is just enough time left to prevent a financial collapse in 2004 or so, if lawmakers show leadership this session. With all but three legislators up for election this fall, they have a rare opportunity to do something for Alaska. We are sure that voters will watch to see who has the fortitude to do the right thing, and win the election or reelection for doing it.

We have already lost control of Alaska's fish and game resources because of our inability to find a way to work together on subsistence. Finally, after a decade of standing pat, parties to the fray are now, at last, signaling possibilities of a willingness...