The Plan

“The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand”
Sun Tzu

I’m a guy who likes to have a plan. I like to know where we’re going, why we’re going and how we’re going to pay for it. My Wife says it’s because I’m a Virgo. My Mother says it’s because I grew up in a house full of women. And my Dad, well he just shakes his head and wonders where all the real Republicans have gone.

Regardless of the reason, my hypothesis that the State of Alaska needs a financial plan was emboldened by three unrelated events I attended within a few days of each other.

Last weekend I had the privilege of escorting my wife to her twenty-year high school reunion for West High. Last summer, was her turn as she accompanied me to my twentieth, for the class of East High 1982. Although we were cross-town rivals as high schools, twenty years later both sets of classmates shared the same common goals as Alaskans.

Most have local careers and talked about the need for more economic growth and development. Many were parents and talked about the importance of education and living in a safe community. And some who have settled out of state, talked about their desires of returning to Alaska if the opportunity arises.

These were feelings from a generation of Alaskans whose demographics place them on the verge of becoming the largest part of the economic engine in Alaska. A generation whose hopes for the future are directly tied to the strength and viability of our city and state.    

My classmates need a plan.

Last Monday I attended the annual review of the legislative session, sponsored by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. At the luncheon, six state legislators answered questions about the fiscal gap and a long-range plan.

If you calculated the combined years of legislative experience sitting at the head table, the business audience was looking at 50 years of public policy making. However, no consensus was reached on anything. The most truthful assessment of the current economic situation came from Senator Con Bunde who said;  “We’ve been living in an artificial economy for the last twenty years”.

My legislators need to pass a plan.

Last Tuesday I attended the swearing in of Mayor Mark Begich. In his inaugural comments, the new Mayor talked about his goals of community, security and prosperity.
He talked about his vision for strengthening neighborhoods, education and the economy.
And he referenced those words I love to hear, “The next generation of leadership”.

Unfortunately, Mayor Begich enters office facing the most pressing fiscal situation of any Anchorage Mayor in the last fifteen years. His first challenge will be to try to bring certainty to city finances while dealing with the uncertainties of additional cuts by State government.

My new Mayor needs the legislature to pass a plan.

Thankfully this is Alaska. Where the next generation of leadership believes that a challenge is nothing more than an opportunity that showed up dressed in its work clothes.

The recent announcement of a statewide tour by the House Ways and Means Committee is good news for all Alaskans who want to see a plan. Meetings proposed in communities throughout Alaska will provide a forum for residents to discuss ideas with legislators about the components to a long-range plan.

To be successful though, they’ll need a draw. A headliner. This is a job for Governor Frank Murkwoski. By agreeing to appear at these events, he has the capability to help ensure high citizen turnout while having the opportunity to present his plan for Alaska’s future. I’d sit in the front row.

What if the Governor doesn’t have a legitimate plan? He should still travel along to Alaskan communities to hear input from residents and deliver the details about promised cuts. Local governments will need time to begin to plan for them.

But then again, I’m just a guy who likes to have a plan.