NEWS: Giveaway changes: More Money, More Power to Oil Companies
April 4, 2013
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
April 3, 2013
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
April 1, 2013
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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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Make Your Voice Heard on Oil Taxes
March 30, 2013
Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for staying involved and being the eyes and ears of our neighborhood. We are in the last days of session and it is important that we keep in touch. Time permitting, I will send you updates as bills move through the legislature.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Education Cuts Will Hurt Our Economy
March 19, 2013
Dear Neighbors,
This past week, I joined other colleagues in an effort to improve our education system. We worked hard to prevent the State House from moving Alaska education backward. Unfortunately, we were not successful.
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