First, we should not rush to judgement on any plan that taxes people and raids the PF. The mess we are in came over a period of at least 10 years. We are going to need more time to turn the fiscal mess around.

Taxes on people are not going to make an appreciable dent in a $4 billion deficit. Raiding the PF will guarantee that it will stripped it dry.

Second, We need to make more cuts in the operating budget that will not harm the delivery of essential public services. There are still 'pet' projects in the budget that need to be cut out, such as planning funds for a gas pipeline. The legislature does not need office space in Anchorage. The legislative staff needs to be cut back and salaries need to be adjusted downward. 

Finally, until the public is convinced that the administration and legislature have adopted a bare bones budget that more closely reflects income, should we relent and allow taxes and raids on the PF.