Fifty-five delegates meeting in February on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus to discuss the future of the state. The press, civic leaders and a sprinkling of interested residents were present. Governor Murkowski recreated the details of the Constitutional Convention accurately enough at last week's Conference of Alaskans. Really it was only missing one thing: significance.

When you take away the careful crafted set, designed to evoke a wave of nostalgia, swell of brotherhood and sense of elevated purpose, you are left with nothing more than a handpicked focus group. A large, expensive three-day committee meeting with the assigned task of making nothing more than a recommendation. A comparison to the state's Constitutional Convention seems ridiculous if not nearing sacrilege. As an Alaskan I am annoyed and disgusted at the administration's attempt to manipulate my respect for the state's constitution into support for the latest media stunt. Why did the governor take such pains in arranging the parallels between the Conference and the Convention that took place 48 years ago? Frankly the conference didn't have the significance to stand on its own.

The delegates' recommendation must somehow survive being drafted into legislation by the governor, passed by both legislative bodies, and voted on by the people to have any influence on the future of the state. That sure is a lot of politics to negotiate just to get placed before the voters of Alaska. Of course I could just be too cynical. Perhaps the legislation created will actually resemble the four resolutions it is supposed to be based on. Maybe our elected officials will be able to briefly set aside the party politics they seem to eat, drink and breathe in Juneau and make a decision that is in the best interest of us all.  And it is a possibility that the several hundred thousand lemmings who live here may pause for a moment in their rush to get over the side of that cliff to seriously consider the fiscal future of our state and act responsibly at the polls. I suppose it could happen, this is Alaska after all. The last frontier, a haven for independent thought, a big land for big dreams.

The delegates to the Conference themselves offered the only genuine reminder of the Constitutional Convention. They were given specific questions to consider, worded so narrowly to confine discussion to the topics the governor wanted them to consider, but they refused to be forced away from discussing other options for paying for state services. The resolution that supported using a portion of the Alaska Permanent Fund for essential state services placed conditions on that use. First, that dividends must be paid out first based on the percent of market value distribution method and the recommendation of the board of trustees of the Fund. And second, that "the governor and legislature must take action to balance the state's revenue and expenditures, including but not limited to consideration of a personal income tax, other broad-based taxes and other alternative sources of income."

True to the Alaska spirit, the delegates struck out on their own to make a recommendation they felt was best for the state, even if it was one discouraged by the current administration. We can only hope the rest of us will be so bold when our opportunity arises.

photo by Heather Taggard

Mike Burns chairs the Conference of Alaskans Thursday February 12 in the Wood Center Carol Brown Ballroom. Fifty-five delegates from around the state met to discuss the future of the Permanent Fund and the constitutional budget reserve. 

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