In a visit to the southern Kenai Peninsula this week, Senate President Gary Stevens reminded a Homer Chamber of Commerce audience of Alaskans' dichotomous nature.

On the one hand, we claim to be an independent, self-sufficient lot. On the other hand, we're on the federal dole. We're not just dependent on government assistance, we expect it, and, so far, we seem unwilling to pay our part.

The subject was the gas tax and Gov. Sean Parnell's proposal to suspend Alaska's 8 cents a gallon tax on gasoline. On a 16-gallon fill up, that amounts to $1.28. The tax was suspended from August 2008 to September 2009 during former Gov. Sarah Palin's administration as part of an energy relief package.

Stevens made a powerful argument for keeping the tax: Without it, Alaskans pay nothing for our roads. Stevens called Alaskans' dependence on the federal government to save our roads "wrongheaded."

Then, he offered a statement that's profound in its simplicity: "I think we need to pay for the services we use."

Stevens is right. With no state income tax, no state sales tax and a reasonable local tax burden (no matter how loud some may argue otherwise), Alaskans have a good deal. In fact, according to Stevens, for every dollar Alaskans send to the feds, we get back $7. Collectively, one of our pet peeves is the state of our roads. Yet, our mantra is "no taxes" even taxes designed to help the state of our roads.

While it's true, Alaskans pay a lot more for gasoline than our friends and neighbors in other parts of the nation, most of them are paying way more than we can comprehend or would ever stand for in taxes. It makes arguing over $1.28 a fill up seem sort of petty, even in these tough economic times.

So far, Alaskans have managed to have their cake and eat it, too. But it's very likely a day of reckoning is coming sooner rather than later. What will we do then?

Alaskans need to listen to Sen. Stevens. He's on the right track. And if we don't want our roads to deteriorate further, we all better be willing to back him on keeping the gas tax in place.

HEA shows it's listening

Homer Electric Association took a lot of heat last winter when rates throttled upward as temperatures plummeted.

The criticism that ensued wasn't lost on HEA, and the cooperative has been reaching out to members in practical ways to help them reduce their energy costs. Last weekend about 500 people attended HEA's Energy and Conservation Fair at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center to attend workshops and get tips from 18 different vendors on how to save both energy and money. In addition, HEA is kicking off a light-bulb exchange program, offering members a set of five energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, CFLs, in exchange for five incandescent bulbs.

The efforts are appreciated. They show the cooperative is listening and giving members tangible ways to reduce costs while the bigger picture of alternative energy options are explored.

Thanks, HEA. Every little bit really does help.