It's hard to believe it was barely a year ago that the legislature voted to suspend the state's eight cent per gallon tax on gasoline. Our new governor, Sean Parnell, is now calling to continue the tax holiday past September 1, 2009. If he seriously wants to make it happen, he has the constitutional authority to call the legislature into special session at any time.
I can understand and appreciate anyone's desire to cut taxes. It's politically popular and offers an easy sound bite - especially to folks in rural areas who are looking for meaningful help with high energy costs.
When the legislature voted to suspend the fuel tax, I was Speaker of the House and voted in favor of the bill. At that time, gasoline prices were over $4 per gallon at the pump, and the legislature was leading efforts to help lower energy costs in the short and long term.
The area I represent, House District 12, stretches from Palmer to Glennallen to Valdez and up to Delta Junction and Salcha. My wallet has been lightened at gas pumps over the 12 years that I've travelled back and forth to constituent meetings. No one would love to see prices lowered at the pump more, but the cost of maintaining the highways in these communities isn't going down either.
If Parnell can show us a plan for keeping up with the cost of maintaining roads, airports, docks, and other transportation infrastructure without the benefit of $40 million in revenue from motor fuel taxes, I will support his efforts.
Governors are responsible for making sure there's money in the budget for roads, public buildings, and infrastructure. There has to be a way to keep up with everyday wear and tear on them - especially because we're already falling behind on this. Our governor must take the lead.
We shouldn't go back to the late 1990's when legislators bragged about cutting budgets while ignoring maintenance and other basic costs. Short-term political gains from actions back then came back later to bite taxpayers - at a much higher cost.
Parnell must step up and offer more than sound bites.
Rep. John Harris has represented District 12 in the Alaska House since 1998. He lives in Valdez and owns Valdez Industrial Supply, and has filed to run for Governor in 2010.