Massive giveaway with no commitments is based on trust, not facts
JUNEAU – Last night, House Democratic legislators stood up against the governor’s massive giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth during a debate on the House Floor that lasted well past midnight.
Read More →Two days left to go in the first session of the 28th Legislature and we are working into the night on important issues to shape the future of Alaska.
Alaskans have a $16 billion dollar savings account because state leaders ensured throughout history we get a fair share of OUR oil wealth. The UAF Engineering buildings, Cushman Street Expansion, and Ryan Middle School Renovations, and energy relief for the Interior are just a few examples of projects that are possible because of these wise investment decisions. Billions of dollars each year go to enhance communities - 90% of those dollars come from the development of oil. I will continue to fight on your behalf for those dollars to stay here.
Read More →Dear Neighbors,
In the Finance committee, we are in the thick of studying the Governor’s oil tax break. Last week, shortly after 2 am the House Resources committee rushed out SB 21 with even lower taxes proposed for the oil industry than the Senate version. It now gives even more billions of your dollars to oil corporations, still without any guarantee for production.
The last week of session is always an interesting and busy time of year.
Read More →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.
Read More →JUNEAU - Today eight Democratic legislators filed legislation to protect the Permanent Fund Dividend by placing the current dividend formula in the Alaska Constitution. With GOP leaders pushing an oil giveaway that is likely to cost Alaskans upwards of $1 billion or more a year, future legislators are likely to start cutting the Dividend to fund state revenue. To protect against attempts to spend the Dividend in tight economic times, former Governor Jay Hammond proposed an initiative in 2002 that would have enshrined the Dividend in the Constitution, but Lt. Governor Loren Leman rejected it as not able to be done by initiative.
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