Rep. Gara’s PowerPoint Presentation: We Can Do Better than the Governor’s $8 Billion Oil Company Giveaway (w/Thanks to Sen. Wielechowski for some “borrowed” slides)
Download the PDF containing the Powerpoint Slideshow
Read More →Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: Hearing on Local Hire Tomorrow - Let’s Hire More Alaskans
One of the big secrets during all the ongoing oil and gas tax debate is that oil field employment is at near record levels. Sadly, the Alaska Department of Labor statistics show that half the workforce is now from other states. This is unacceptable to those of us who want to support Alaskan hire.
I am pleased that the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee is holding public hearings in Fairbanks and Anchorage, trying to understand why hiring from out of state is increasing, and how the state can encourage the hiring of Alaskans.
Read More →Note from Rep. Les Gara: Hiring Non-Alaskans in the Oil Patch Hearing Thursday & Lots More
Well, I’ve learned a lot this summer, and Thursday we can all learn more – on why the oil industry is hiring so many outside workers in place of Alaskans. That hearing will take place at the Legislative Information Office, from 1:30 to 3:30. Public testimony will be allowed from 5:30 to 7:30. Here’s what we know. Nearly 50% of Alaska’s North Slope workers since 2009 have been outsiders. On the other hand, employment in Alaska’s oil and gas industry is at an all-time high – 13,600 this year, compared to 10,100 when we had a low oil production tax under the old ELF system. So – those fancy TV ads saying we need to reduce oil taxes because we’re losing North Slope employment leave out a fact. Well, a few. That employment is up. But Outsiders are taking jobs Alaskans should get. Lowering oil taxes, when the industry is hiring more non-Alaskans, is one of those bad policy non sequiturs.
Read More →Rep. Petersen’s Report from the Capitol: Important Chance to Make Your Voice Heard on Alaskan Jobs; Increasing Vo/Tech Opportunities
Important Hearing on Alaskan Oil Jobs
This week the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee will be holding important public hearings about Alaskan hire in Alaska’s oil and gas industry. Oil and gas is a major component of our economy, and the good news is North Slope jobs are at near record highs and we are seeing increased development in the North Slope and Cook Inlet, especially by smaller independent producers. In fact, Petroleum News anticipates that this current drilling season will be “one of the busiest exploration seasons since 1969.”
Read More →Wednesday Noon: Rep. Gara To Address East Rotary On Oil Tax Debate; Foster Care Volunteer Needs
Wednesday Noon: Rep. Gara To Address East Rotary On Oil Tax Debate; Foster Care Volunteer Needs (ANCHORAGE) – Rep. Les Gara has been invited by the East Anchorage Rotary Club to address the need for volunteers on a number of foster care initiatives his office is working on; and on the debate over vastly reducing …
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