As a result of government warnings and general fears, tourism and travel are expected to plunge in the coming weeks and months, particularly on cruise ships, which have begun temporarily suspending operations. And that'll be true regardless of whether COVID-19 eventually spreads to Alaska.
Read: Drs. Kevin Berry and Mouhcine Guettabi in U.S.…
As the coronavirus continued to upend the global economy Monday in ways that threaten the stability of Alaska’s budget, the Permanent Fund and the tourism industry, Gov. Mike Dunleavy called a news conference to soothe Alaskans’ anxiety.
Read: Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi in APM
The evidence is clear that Alaskans would pay more under a statewide general sales tax than a state income tax. So why do polls consistently show that a statewide general sales tax is less objectionable to more Alaskans than a state income tax?
Read: Dr. Matthew Berman Featured in Anchorage Press
One of the biggest economic unknowns is what the coronavirus epidemic will mean for Alaska’s summer tourism. With a viral infection in the news, will they still want to crowd onto airplanes and cruise ships to get here?
Read: Professor Kevin Berry on Coronavirus in KTOO
Guettabi predicts the land voucher program's overall impact on the state's treasury – and urgent budget crisis – is likely to be marginal. It's an interesting proposal, he says, but "I don't anticipate it saving the state hundreds of millions of dollars in the short run."
Read: Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi Featured in U.S. News and…