Alaska Business Report Card Biased Towards Continued Oil Industry Giveaways FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 1, 2016 Anchorage – Today, a group of organizations that support continued giveaways to the oil and gas industry in Alaska released grades for the members of the Alaska Legislature. Republican-led Majority lawmakers who support policies to continue unsustainable oil industry …
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I’m writing to you on the second day of the fifth special session. We’re breaking records now…and not the good kind. This is the first time in Alaska’s history that there’s been five special sessions in a legislative term. Governor Walker called this special session to consider many of the proposals that didn’t pass during the last special session, including a bill seeking to withdraw money from the Permanent Fund earnings reserve to fund the state budget, bills that would implement an income tax, sales tax, and increases in the motor fuel, mining, fisheries, alcohol, and tobacco taxes, and reconsideration of parts of our oil and gas tax credit system.
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I wanted to let you know about an opportunity coming up tomorrow to testify on SB 128, the Permanent Fund bill, before the House Finance Committee. Here are the details:
When: Tuesday, June 14, 5-7 PM
Where: Fairbanks Legislative Information Office, 1292 Sadler Way (3rd floor) or call 1-844-586-9085
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The end is near! The Legislature is still in special session, but we’re getting a bit closer to a resolution. I have some good news to share with you today.
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I hope you’re enjoying the sunshine! As I had hoped in my last update to you, we haven’t finished up with the session yet. I wanted to write and give you a quick update on what’s happening in Juneau and a few community updates.
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I’m writing you from Juneau again, and it feels like déjà vu – we’re here past our 90 day limit again. In many ways I’m not surprised, as we’re talking about a lot of major issues this year: restructuring the Permanent Fund, income or sales taxes, reforming our oil tax credits, making significant changes to our Medicaid program, and an overhaul of our crime laws. I hoped we could finish in 90 days, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. I am committed to staying as long as it takes to craft a real solution, because we cannot afford to kick the can down the road another year. My goal has always been to support a long term, comprehensive fiscal solution, and I spoke about that at a press conference earlier this month.
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It’s that time of year again! I will be back home in Fairbanks this weekend and I want to see you and hear your ideas about the budget, education, and other important issues facing the Legislature. On Sunday (March 20), I will be holding my second annual Pad Thai and Politics lunch from 1 to 3 PM at Lemongrass Thai Cuisine (388 Old Chena Pump Rd) in Chena Pump Plaza. We had a great time last year, and this year should be even better! I will be providing Thai food, and I hope you will bring your ideas and concerns (and of course your appetite!).
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I was disappointed that on Wednesday, my colleagues, with the exception of Rep. Andy Josephson, on the University budget subcommittee voted for devastating cuts to the University of Alaska budget. These cuts could cost hundreds of jobs and have a drastic effect on our economy. I supported an amendment from my colleague Rep. Josephson to bring funding back to the governor’s requested level and I introduced amendments to restore funding for research, the Museum of the North, and the University Fire Department. Unfortunately Rep. Josephson and I were outvoted on all these amendments. I also spoke about how in tough economic times, it’s especially important to make sure we are supporting our University.
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I’ve heard from almost 100 of you in the past few days opposing the proposed $60 million cut to the University of Alaska. These draconian cuts would greatly affect the way the university functions. They would cause hundreds of layoffs, severely hamper our research abilities, and have a massive impact on our local economy.
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I will be back home in Fairbanks this weekend and I want to see you at the community meeting I will be holding with my colleague Rep. Scott Kawasaki Saturday February 13 at the Gulliver’s Books, 2nd Story Café (3525 College Road) from 1 to 3 pm. This will be a fun and informal opportunity to discuss the budget, the governor’s proposed fiscal plan, and the other issues that are important to you. Scott and I will provide lunch, and I hope you will bring your questions and ideas.
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