Note from Rep. Les Gara: Guv Fear-Mongers On Your PFD: Why He’s Wrong. Very Wrong.

It seems that no matter what the issue, the Governor’s solution is to roll back oil taxes. Tuesday he did just that in announcing the Permanent Fund Dividend. He warned - very inaccurately - that “Alaskans can face diminishing dividends based upon the current dividend calculation because, in part, poor performance of the stock market, and then additionally over time because of declining oil production there will be fewer and less royalties going into the Permanent Fund unless we turn that around.”

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Recent Crimes Highlight Need for Parking Lot Vigilance

I want to alert you to a disturbing criminal trend happening in the Anchorage area.

It has been reported there are increasing number of robberies where purses and handbags are snatched from individuals in parking lots. Recently, an acquaintance of mine was blindsided by a punch and her wallet was taken in broad daylight in a very busy parking lot. These crimes are happening in situations that normally would be safe. This concerns me.

[video] Rep. Gara: We Can Do Better Than The Guv’s $8 Billion Oil Company Giveaway

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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

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.

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.

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.”

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 [...]

Rep. Chris Tuck’s Community Connection: Senate Labor & Commerce Committee to Hold Hearing on Oil Industry Hiring Practices

As your representative in the Alaska Legislature one of my highest priorities has been to promote local hire in Alaska.

I am excited to report this Thursday, September 8th, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee will hold a public hearing in Anchorage to discuss ways to increase the percentage of Alaskans employed in the oil industry.

Berta’s Briefings from Rep. Gardner: What you told me at the BBQ

I want to thank all of you who attended our first BBQ/Constituent Meet & Greet this past Wednesday. It was a great success with well over 100 people attending from the surrounding neighborhoods – despite the continuing rain.

What I love about such events is the opportunity to meet with you in-person and directly hear your concerns. Because we had such great fun and learned so much, I plan to make this an annual summer event.