Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Historic Gamble to Give Away Alaska’s Oil Wealth

Dear Neighbors,

In a clear betrayal of public trust, last Saturday shortly after 2 a.m., a majority of members in the Alaska House of Representatives made the disastrous decision to give away a massive share of Alaska’s oil wealth to the most powerful and profitable corporations in the world—with no promise or guarantee of increased production or more oil in the pipeline.

NEWS: Dems Stand Against Historic Giveaway of Alaska’s Oil

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.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: The Real Story – North Slope Jobs and Investment are Rising Under ACES

The Legislature continues to rush forward with the governor’s massive and ill-conceived giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth at a frantic pace, hoping to get the bill passed before the 90 day session concludes on April 14. As I have stated before, this bill will give billions of dollars from the state treasury to the wealthiest and most profitable corporations in the world – with no promise or guarantee of increased production or investment in Alaska.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Record Industry Profits, Strong State Savings – Tomorrow is the Time to Speak Out

Dear Neighbors,

This is the first in a series of newsletters about Senate Bill 21, the major re-write of Alaska’s oil tax system that is being hurried through the legislature in the last days of session. As it stands now, the proposal is a massive and ill-conceived giveaway of Alaska’s oil wealth with no clear connection to increasing oil production.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: You Deserve the Truth!

Dear Neighbors,

In the middle of the night, shortly after 2 am in the morning yesterday, the House Resources Committee prematurely rushed out a bill intended to give away a massive share of Alaska’s wealth to the oil industry.

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.

NEWS: Democrats Push Permanent Fund Dividend Protection In Light Of Oil Giveaway

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.

Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Make Your Voice Heard on Oil Taxes

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you for staying involved and being the eyes and ears of our neighborhood. We are in the last days of session and it is important that we keep in touch. Time permitting, I will send you updates as bills move through the legislature.

BREAKING: Democrats Press Conference – Oil Tax Alternative

House and Senate Democrats to hold press conference today to introduce oil tax alternative

WHAT: Democratic legislators Press Conference to introduce their oil tax alternative
WHEN: 12:00 noon, Monday, February 11, 2013
WHERE: Butrovich Room, State Capitol

TELECONFERENCE: From Juneau: 463-5009
Outside Juneau: 855-463-5009

Democrats Push for Hearing on Oil Tax Credit Accountability

“Alaskans need to know what we got for our four billion dollar North Slope investment”

JUNEAU – Today, House Democratic Whip Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) called for a hearing on two bills designed to provide Alaskans more information on the State’s North Slope investments. The bills will help Alaskans know if our massive investments are meeting our twin goals of more oil in the pipeline and more jobs for Alaskans. Recent testimony puts the state’s investment at over $4 billion over the last five years.