(Juneau) - Rep. Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla/Mat-Su) is cautioning against increased spending due to the state's budget surplus, projected to be over $1 billion this year. Kohring is concerned that the size of government will increase at a time when spending should be reduced.

"A lot of people have their hand out, and the temptation will be to spend the surplus on various programs," said Kohring. "We should instead show discipline by figuring out how we can fully fund essentials such as roads, schools and public safety without adding to the bureaucracy. To motivate us to accomplish that, the Legislature should place the majority of this year's surplus into reserve accounts or the Permanent Fund. That way, it will be off limits to spending, and we’ll be forced to cut back," he said.

Kohring noted that the size of state government remains substantial, and that spending exceeds any other country in the nation per capita. "Our goal should be promoting a strong private sector. Government should get out of the way through less spending, lower taxes and fees, and less regulatory controls."

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