Alaska: Stop Taxing Residents, Tax Out-of-State Workers

from the streets of Anchorage to the world.

This is Anchorage News Today.

Alaska lawmakers have a habit of pulling money from the permanent fund,

which is set aside for all residents to cover state government costs.

This practice effectively hits Alaskans with an indirect tax,

and critics say it has to end.

Instead of dipping into those funds,

the state should build a stronger revenue system.

Billions of dollars from industries like oil, mining, fishing, tourism,

and even education flow out of Alaska each year.

Many workers in these sectors come from outside the state.

For example, about 80% of teachers hail from the lower 48 and send their paychecks back home.

The same goes for seasonal tourism staff, fishing crews, and mining employees.

This outflow starves the local economy, making it tough for Alaska to stand on its own financially.

Money earned here just doesn't stick around to boost businesses and communities.

One fixed gaining attention is an earnings tax on resource industry wages,

with a sliding scale that charges lower rates to residents.

Done right?

It could fairly capture revenue while prioritizing Alaska's own economy.

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