In Anchorage, the answer keeps coming back “no.” Why isn’t entirely clear, especially as voters back progressive candidates. But social media offers a clue: a belief that budget problems have easy fixes. The gap is far larger than politically palatable cuts can cover — you can’t slash Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt’s $300,000 salary to close an $83 million deficit, just as you can’t cut your way to a full dividend.
Holly Todd is a cartoonist in Anchorage. In addition to the Alaska Current, her work has been published in the LA Times and Anchorage Press, and more can be found on Instagram.
