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 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: 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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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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NEWS: Parnell Withholding Important Oil Tax Information, Gara Calls for Public Release
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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