Around the Corner: May 1, 2023
Happy Monday!
What a beautiful day. It peaked at over 70 degrees on our deck!
We had three posts last week: an Around the Corner with a shiny new logo, a look at proposed funding cuts to the local contribution for education, and updates on local happenings on Friday.
Lots of comments and messages on Wednesday’s post on education! I think that’s wonderful. Comments make this space better, even if we disagree. You can follow along with the discussion here: I’ll probably come back to continue it later this week.
Today will be a pretty short post: I spent the evening watching basketball and working on a Board committee.
There are, however, a pair of causes you should keep an eye on:
An Attempted Repeal of Ranked Choice Voting
Alaska House of Representatives members could be attempting to fast-track legislation to repeal ranked-choice voting and open primaries; they should hear from Alaskan voters who support the current system (which, aside from some added complexity, I consider better in nearly every way).
The House State Affairs Committee will be hearing House Bill 4, which would repeal open primaries and ranked-choice voting, tomorrow, Tuesday, May 2, and will be taking public testimony.
How to Testify
Tuesday, May 2 at 3:00pm
Call in 15 min before the hearing:
Anchorage: (907)-563-9085
Juneau: (907)-586-9085
Fairbanks: (844)-586-9085
All other locations: (844)-586-9085
Ask to testify on HB 04 in the House Affairs committee.
Stay on the line, when it is time to testify they will call on you.
Be sure to state your name, your community, and that you OPPOSE HB 04.
The Alaska Center has also created this handy email form you can use: https://secure.everyaction.com/IcNsnFhyBkeNZoj8jYjJJA2
You can find plenty of positive examples and benefits of ranked choice voting here.
Senate Bill 114 Could Add a Billion Badly Needed Dollars to the FY 2024 Budget
The State of Alaska offers oil companies tax credits (really, reductions in taxes) per barrel they produce.
One of the sensible things the Legislature should do this year is enact SB 114, which would close the Hilcorp loophole and reduce state oil tax credits by $3 a barrel, tying the credits to capital investment. This would be a good step toward a balanced fiscal plan.
Two years ago, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he would support a reduction in tax credits and closing the Hilcorp loophole if the Legislature sent him a bill with those changes.
There is a great disparity in how the state treats the giant oil companies, giving Hilcorp a immense tax break simply because state law has not been updated to tax the specific corporate structure chosen by company owner Jeff Hildebrand, a Texas billionaire.
Representative Scott Kawasaki adds:
SB114 begins to rolls back some of the giveaways under SB21 including a tax credit that costs the state nearly $1-billion a year when prices are high which represents a $1500 PFD for every Alaskan!
Public testimony was originally slated to be earlier today. However, it was delayed to this Thursday, May 4, at 1:30pm instead.
How to Testify
Thursday, May 4 at 1:30pm
Call in 15 min before the hearing:
Anchorage: (907)-563-9085
Juneau: (907)-586-9085
Fairbanks: (844)-586-9085
All other locations: (844)-586-9085
Ask to testify on SB 114 in the Senate Finance committee.
Stay on the line, when it is time to testify they will call on you.
Be sure to state your name, your community, and that you SUPPORT SB 114.
Or email: senate.finance@akleg.gov
Hope you’re all having a great start to your week!
Thanks for the legislative updates! Actions taken, with continuing hope for a functioning democracy.
Glad you were able to make time to watch basketball! Couple of fun ones