JUNEAU — The Alaska House on Thursday combined three of Gov. Bill Walker's tax proposals, merging increases on commercial fishing and mining with an existing bill to double the state's gas tax.
The move, by the Republican-led House Finance Committee, creates a tax package, House Bill 249, that would allow legislators to vote on several different increases at once, rather than taking individual votes that would target distinct industries or consumers.
HB 249 is more of a minibus tax package than an omnibus measure, however, since it leaves out other increases proposed by Walker on tobacco and alcohol sales, and cruise ship passengers.
The mining, gas, and fishing tax increases were originally projected to raise an additional $80 million to help balance the state's $4 billion budget deficit. But the legislation was adjusted in the committee process and the finance committee didn't immediately provide new estimates.
The House was scheduled to hear the bill at 2 p.m. A separate income tax bill proposed by Walker, House Bill 250, is scheduled for a hearing at the same time.