The article asserts that, “Alaska is the only state without a sales or income tax.’  What the piece does not say is that Alaska is the only state in the nation that gives over a thousand dollars annually to every citizen of the state. No matter who hard one attempts to justify it, the PFD is nothing more than state sponsored welfare. The notion that the PFD is essential income is nonsense. The PFD has perverted the work ethic of thousands of Alaskans. It is a travesty that the proponents of an income tax would create a new state department with over 100 employees to collect the income tax, an income tax paid by fewer than 50% of Alaskans, while another state department distributes free money in the form of PFDs to all Alaskans. Take a moment to consider the absurdity of that process. The notion of strong independent Alaskans is laughable.  We have become a socialist welfare state and an income tax will cement that in place.  No to the income tax!