NEWS: Gara Calls on Governor to Stop Silencing World Renowned Oil Tax Experts
March 21, 2013
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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Note from Rep. Gara: Supporters Admit Oil Giveaway a “Crapshoot”; No New Production Promised From Oil Companies
March 19, 2013
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: Parnell Withholding Important Oil Tax Information, Gara Calls for Public Release
March 13, 2013
JUNEAU - Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) called on the governor to release information he has withheld regarding the governor’s oil tax legislation. Two weeks ago Rep. Gara filed a public records request for important oil tax information so that legislators could receive information needed to decide how to address proposals on the subject. The governor has not yet responded.
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NEWS: Democrats Call on Governor to Not Leave Fish High and Dry
March 1, 2013
Legislators propose amendment So Needed Water Isn’t Withdrawn From Fishing Streams
Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) called on the governor to honor his promise not to “trade one resource for another” [Fairbanks Daily News Miner, March 11, 2010]. He called for the governor’s support in ensuring Alaska’s fish-producing streams maintain the water they need to support healthy fish runs.
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Rep. Kawasaki’s Juneau Note: Legislation is moving fast
February 20, 2013
Education: Oh yeah. That happened.
“School vouchers” is a term you will hear discussed regularly this session. If education and school funding are important to you and your family then I urge you to pay attention. There are proponents of Constitutional changes to adopt a voucher system for corporate schools - but the danger hidden within this legislation is the number of children who will lose educational opportunities that are currently provided through a robust public education system. Right now, SJR9 is being fast-tracked through the Senate after being stripped of its Education Committee referral and is heading instead straight from the Judiciary to Finance committee.
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