NEWS: Giveaway changes: More Money, More Power to Oil Companies
Late Night meeting increased size of giveaway, repeats past mistakes
JUNEAU – Just after 2:00 a.m. this morning, the House Resources Committee voted to give away more of Alaska’s oil wealth with no guarantee of new production and to make the state rely on oil company statements instead of actual receipts when auditing deductions for tax breaks. The committee also tried to undo hard-won provisions that allow the oil companies that own the Trans Alaska Pipeline (TAPS) to charge the state and other companies for all of their expenses, not just the “reasonable” expenses allowed under current law.
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NEWS: Democrats Push Permanent Fund Dividend Protection In Light Of Oil Giveaway
JUNEAU - Today eight Democratic legislators filed legislation to protect the Permanent Fund Dividend by placing the current dividend formula in the Alaska Constitution. With GOP leaders pushing an oil giveaway that is likely to cost Alaskans upwards of $1 billion or more a year, future legislators are likely to start cutting the Dividend to fund state revenue. To protect against attempts to spend the Dividend in tight economic times, former Governor Jay Hammond proposed an initiative in 2002 that would have enshrined the Dividend in the Constitution, but Lt. Governor Loren Leman rejected it as not able to be done by initiative.
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NEWS: Democrats Offer Improvements to Small Gasline Legislation
Amendments would ensure low-cost gas, add accountability, provide maximum benefit to Alaskans
JUNEAU - Tonight, in an effort to add much needed accountability and assurances Alaskans will get low-cost gas and the maximum benefit from a small diameter gasline, Democratic legislators in the Alaska House of Representatives offered a series of amendments to the gasline’s enabling legislation.
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NEWS: Rep. Kawasaki to Host Constituent Meeting March 30
JUNEAU – Representative Scott Kawasaki will host a final town hall meeting of this session in Fairbanks on Saturday, March 30th. The meeting will be held at the Noel Wien Library Conference Room from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Representative Kawasaki invites Fairbanksans to a discussion on issues like the budget, oil taxes, education, and energy for the Interior.
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NEWS: House Passes Rep. Gruenberg Bill to Protect Alaska Businesses
Bill ensures electronic fund transfers can continue without violating federal law
JUNEAU – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed legislation by Representative Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) to ensure that Alaska businesses can continue to use electronic bank transfers without violating new federal law.
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