AFP-Alaska Hosts Juneau Fly-in Opposing Defined Benefit Pension Plans
JUNEAU, AK—Last week, AFP-Alaska hosted a group of activists in Juneau for a fly-in to meet with legislators in opposition to new taxes, particularly those that could result from the high costs associated with HB 78’s proposed defined benefit pensions. This legislation could cost Alaska billions in unexpected expenses to fund defined benefit pension plans.
While in Juneau, the group shared Alaskans’ concerns about reinstating defined benefit pension plans for state workers and the financial consequences HB 78 could bring. Among these concerns, an AFP-Alaska-commissioned poll recently found that 62% of respondents were not confident of the state’s ability to properly manage the unfunded fiscal liabilities that a new pension plan would bring.
The 13 Alaskans on AFP-Alaska’s trip represent the communities of Anchorage, Haines, Eagle River, Big Lake, Kenai, and North Pole. Throughout their time in Juneau, the group attended more than 20 meetings with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
AFP-Alaska will host a fly-in in Juneau in early March focusing on education, including based student allocation (BSA).
AFP-Alaska State Director Bethany Marcum issued the following statement:
“It’s clear that Alaskans don’t want more taxes, posing a problem for lawmakers’ multi-billion-dollar price tag defined benefit legislation. Last week, AFP-Alaska and our team of activists and volunteers met with lawmakers to express their deep concern for these policies.
“We hope legislators will listen to Alaskans and focus on passing legislation that will empower Alaskans and not tie our state to decades of unfunded liabilities.”
