Wow, yet again the mentality that refuses to face reality. Okay, I will tell you how Andy: look up the budget for Dept. of Health and Social Services (this is the welfare dept), cut it in half. 'Nuff said. See how easy that is? Legislators know this too, but they aren't going to say anything or do anything because they know Alaska is now one of the biggest welfare states in the union. No-one has the hormonal fortitude to do what is necessary. There are no "republicans" or "democrats", there is only the socialist party of Alaska. They are all in on it. This is why the hucksters keep ranting about an income tax, so they can keep building the welfare state.