Last week I mentioned that I and many of my colleagues had filed legislation to stop a third year of damaging school staff cuts, and to make up for prior cuts so our students can have the courses and teachers they need to succeed and become vital parts of a strong economy.
Read More →Last night the Governor released his latest oil tax rollback bill. It maintains the worst part of last year’s bill, and makes it even more draconian. The largest part of the bill massively rolls back state revenue, and oil company taxes, with no commitment that companies spend that “reward” in Alaska. We’ve tried that before. Until 2006 our Production Tax was nearly 0% on almost every field on the North Slope, and what did we get for lower taxes that didn’t require Alaska investment and more Alaska production work? We got oil production that was declining between 5 - 8% a year, and 40% less investment in the North Slope than we have today. And a fraction of the new companies are exploring for new oil on the North Slope today.
Read More →Well, first, Happy New Year! The extra six pounds I’m carrying around from the holiday season seem very happy, though I’m not too happy with them. I’ve been in a big fight with them lately. I’ll just say we’re not friends. OK, onto more important matters…
Read More →I hope this letter finds you well. It finds me well. But it finds hundreds of Alaska’s foster youth needing help if they are to have a chance to fulfill the dreams they are entitled to pursue as Americans and Alaskans. And they need your help.
Below is an opinion piece I have run in newspapers. In case you missed it - here’s my “post-election bickering, put politics aside” heart tug.
Read More →Your E-News is back! I hope that’s good news to you, and hope you are enjoying a good holiday season. Under state law I was not allowed to write E-Newsletters actively prior to the election (so I wouldn’t have an advantage over my opponent), and, frankly, I wanted to give you - and me! - a break from politics after the election.
Saving Paper on the Skinny White Pages, But What About those Fat Yellow Pages?
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