NEWS: Gara Calls on Governor to Stop Silencing World Renowned Oil Tax Experts
Consultants are respected, know Alaska, and should be accessible to Legislators
Today Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage) called on the Governor to allow world class oil policy experts, who the Administration has on contract but has so far prevented from speaking, to consult with legislators, provide analysis, and provide their views on an oil tax policy that will work. See pages 6 and the Amendment page in the attached contract. The two experts, Rich Ruggiero and Bob George, consulted on ACES and have ideas on improving that law. They have been hired by the Governor but cannot without the Governor’s consent, speak to legislators or the public.
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Rep. Gara Statement on Bi-Partisan Housing Quality, Access Bill
Jointly Written Costello and Gara Bill Makes Communities and AHFC Housing More Vibrant, More Available
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) issued the following statement on a bill sponsor Mia Costello (R-Anchorage) and he as a co-sponsor wrote and worked on together. The Bill, HB 50, passed the House today. A description of the bill is more fully detailed in a press release sent out by the House Republican Press Office today.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Supporters Admit Oil Giveaway a “Crapshoot”; No New Production Promised From Oil Companies
A billion dollars here. A billion dollars there. Whatever.
Is that a way to craft an oil bill for this state’s future? This week one of the architects of the Senate’s oil tax bill similar to the Governor’s version followed oil company testimony stating they wouldn’t guarantee new production if the bill passed – and you just can’t make this stuff up – by saying “It’s kind of a crapshoot”. Juneau Empire, March 17, 2013.
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NEWS: Democratic Amendments: Invest in Education Now, Proven Payoff Later
Even with amendments, total budget would still be less than governor’s
JUNEAU – Today on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives, Democratic legislators offered a series of amendments to the state operating budget to save Alaska money by investing wisely in its human resources today. If each amendment passed, the total budget would still be smaller than that proposed by the governor.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Education and Job Training Suffer; Hand to Those with Disabilities Becomes Colder: Budget Cuts in Wrong Places
Dear Neighbors,
Well, we’re on an uncomfortable downwards slide as the legislature builds a budget in the shadow of the Governor’s $1 - $2 billion oil giveaway.
As you heard, there are, in my mind, much more effective, less damaging ways to amend our oil tax rules. See my recent op-ed.
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