By Paddy Notar

The state Legislature is looking to put almost $3 billion worth of construction projects on the books for the coming year. That's crazy. What the state fails to realize is that someday, not too far off, they're going to wish they banked a lot of the money that goes out the window. Oil doesn't last indefinitely and the pipeline is putting out about 500,000 barrels a day verses 1 million in its prime. Sure, the construction projects will put people to work but there has to be a balance. You just can't keep spending because you have it.

They also want to have voters give an up or down vote to a $328 million bond for more schools and UA upgrades. That includes $80 million for a UAA sports arena. Go rent a gym and invest the money. How about cutting back on the glamour of what you want to build or hitting up corporations to sponsor it. We don't need Madison Square Garden built up here when we have UAA athletics. No offense to UAA, but we're not exactly Division I material. Building some extravagant arena won't bring back powerhouse schools, like Kentucky, Gonzaga, or Syracuse to the Great Alaska shootout. Those days are gone. Deal with it and build something decent. I don't think I've seen them sell out their current arena so why get a bigger one? If anything, at least build a place that attracts high profile musicians as well as takes care of your sports needs. But designating $80 million for just UAA is a waste of taxpayer dollars. The UA system also wants $108 million for sciences classrooms and lab facility at UAF. Sounds to me like an add-on of their infectious disease lab that holds bio-level 5 stuff. Happy to fund it. Just keep it in Fairbanks.

Speaking of waste, what is the Governor suggesting with this $76 million crime lab. As if we're CSI Alaska. Give me a break Parnell. Yeah, let's spend $76 million to build a comprehensive crime lab to prove that someone is high or drunk. Genius, Governor. Pure genius. What the hell do we need a crime lab for when the FBI has one in Anchorage? The state library getting $20 million is very nice but why don't we give UAA that money and the library $80 million? Why do libraries always get the leftovers? I learn more there than watching UAA kids run around on a gym floor.

By the way, some politicians will make the argument that the Federal Government is going to pick up $1 billion of the tab. That's a stupid argument and one that Alaska has to stop embracing. Nothing is free and every federal dollar we spend will come back to haunt us later. We don't have an extra billion at the Federal level. As a matter of fact, we could use $12.4 trillion if anyone is looking to donate. We need to stop spending. Period.

I see Boston College beat Wisconsin in the WCHA finals. That's the biggest college hockey tournament in the country. I couldn't wait to read about. After all, Alaska is a hockey state. What page is it on in the ADN? It's not on the front cover of the sports page. Where is it? Page C3. Five lines on the far right hand, bottom corner of the lousy page. What's on the front page of sports? Kids running and almost breaking a four-minute mile. Wow! More wonderful sports coverage from the ADN.

I just heard NPR having their annual fundraiser on the radio. Carol Comeau donated some of her personal time to ask for donations. She said that many people from the Girdwood area have given money year after year to KSKA Anchorage. She then gave out some 554 prefix for those in Anchorage to call in and a 1-800 number for “those in Girdwood and outside of Anchorage.” What? Isn't Girdwood part of the Anchorage MUNI? Aren't schools in Girdwood part of the Anchorage School District? Does Carol call an 800 number to get in touch with the elementary school down here? She must have been joking. Right? Please, tell me she was joking.

I went to Tesoro in Girdwood to get gas and have to say they need to do a better job of keeping it clean. At least try and give the restrooms a once over. Geez. Now, I head down the road to Essential One and get my gas there. For some reason it's cheaper every day of the week and the bathrooms are exceptionally clean. No one likes to clean public restrooms but it's part of the job. Hats off to the staff at Essential One. They've earned it and will continue to get my business.

Congrats to everyone who won in the election. I'll be watching and writing about you. So do what you were elected to do and thanks for giving up some of your personal life to help a noble cause. Just be aware that nothing lasts forever. Including deep pockets and oil. Spend wisely.