Note from Rep. Gara: Governor’s New Bill Raises Concerns - and a Few Words on Hieroglyphics
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.
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NEWS: House Democrats Announce New Committee Assignments
JUNEAU - Today, House Democratic leadership announced updated committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session. The seats on the Finance and Resources Committees are tentative until a final decision is made once the entire caucus can meet in person. Currently, one member is out of town due to a family medical situation.
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Note from Rep. Gara: Great Youth Group Added To PFD Pick. Click. Give. Donation Choices
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…
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NEWS: Time To Diversify Alaska Economy: Democrats Filing Bill To Encourage New Alaska Business
(ANCHORAGE) – Today Democratic legislators announced they were pre-filing legislation this coming week to help diversify Alaska’s resource-dependent economy, so that job opportunities can be created in new areas, in addition to resource jobs.
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NEWS: Democrats Push to Lower Student Loan Burden for Alaskans
Measure cuts high loan rates for Alaskans who remain in or return to Alaska
JUNEAU – Today, seven Democratic legislators announced they will pre-file legislation to reduce the high cost of student loans for Alaskans who stay in or return to Alaska. “It is telling that you can get a 2.75 percent interest rate for a used car loan, but pay upwards of 6.5 to 8 percent for job training and college loans in Alaska,” said Rep. Les Gara. Lowering the cost of education and job training for Alaskans helps both students and the state by reducing costs to Alaskans and giving all Alaskans who want to open new career doors the incentive to help improve Alaska’s economy.
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NEWS: 3rd Annual Holiday Laptops for Foster Youth Drive - Improving One Life At A Time
(ANCHORAGE) – Today Rep. Les Gara and the foster care group, Facing Foster Care In Alaska (FFCA), are launching the third annual Laptops for Foster Youth Holiday Drive. Over the past two years this drive has resulted in approximately 200 matches for youth. “Laptops are crucial to helping youth improve their chances of success in school, and establishing normalcy in very disrupted lives of youth who often have very few material possessions,” said Gara, a former foster youth whose father was killed when he was 6.
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