By Representative
Dan Ortiz
Is oil, or any commodity, really Alaska’s most valuable resource? I, for one, would say no. Our most valuable resource, the resource that most contributes to Alaska, is our people. If we were to make a ranking list of the most valuable populations, senior citizens would be at the top. As we in the Legislature attempt to deal with our significant fiscal
challenges, it’s important for us to protect our seniors. Our seniors are a treasured asset to our communities and our economy. The Alaska Legislature shouldn’t adopt policies or cuts that put undue burdens on our senior population. Wrangell has a graying population, and the well-being of the community depends on the security of our elders.
I’m concerned about the new proposed reductions to our Alaska Pioneer Homes.
They have already endured funding cuts that have put them on the brink of closing beds at a time where our senior population is large and growing. While there is a long waiting list to get into the Ketchikan Pioneer Home, the closest Pioneer home to folks in Wrangell, this is not the fault of regular Alaskans who work hard every day to provide services to our elders. This is due to misguided cuts and a lack of funding. I will certainly vote against any cuts to our Pioneer Homes.
Last year I, along with my fellow coalition members, advocated successfully for $2.8 million dollars to be added back to senior benefits. I will absolutely stand up for Alaskan seniors again this year.
Currently, seniors are able to waive property taxes on the first $150,000 dollar value of their home. Many seniors chose to stay in Alaska because of this incentive. There is legislation proposed by a member of the majority party to take this opportunity away from our seniors by giving local municipalities the option of removing property tax exemptions for seniors. I will vote against this bill because I believe this will cause seniors to leave our state.
We can’t afford for our seniors to leave. A State of Alaska report showed recently that just in the year 2014 our seniors contributed $2.4 billion to our state economy. We in the legislature need to adopt and promote policies that
incentivize seniors to stay in Alaska.
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