I agree, Alaska does not have the money to spare to bet that oil prices will rise to the point above 73 bucks a barrel where we might,..might break even between credits and production tax revenue. 
  But soon under SB21 all oil will be "new" oil and evade any severance tax to the owners 0f the oil. Again, fiscally unsustainable by any real measure.  I am absolutely for not for tapping the fund first.  We need to stop the credits and base future credits on truly new oil production from new reservoirs, not the same units or remote 'areas" in an already producing basin. I believe we should also revert to a gross tax. It`s harder to game and easier to audit. Those considerations for the owners of the oil after all, are certainly reasonable.  A sharp tax guy for Conoco ought to be able to keep monthly tax payment records and pay estimated taxes monthly. That would, when finally enacted, cause less and far simpler audits.  Maybe we both agree balancing the budget is better than inaction?