Majority gives song and dance on getting Alaska’s fair share
Regarding Charles Wohlforth's column, (ADN, July 23): Alaska is in fiscal trouble today because the Republican majority in the Legislature, along with Gov. Sean Parnell, gave away our oil, to their political donors and employers in SB 21.
See the July 3 issue of ADN and read Robin Brena's commentary on Alaska's fair share of oil revenue. We're being taken to the cleaners, on oil production taxes. Yet again.
Likewise, we've been played since 1980, on the corporate tax. Before then, oil companies were subject to "separate accounting," where Alaska's taxes were calculated on the profit earned in the state. They've long been allowed to pay corporate tax in Alaska, based on "worldwide apportionment."
So even though they earn billions in profit in Alaska, they're allowed to write off those profits, against losses elsewhere in the world. ("Sorry, Alaska. We had a bad year in Malaysia. Darn it, you lose again.")
Also read ADN, March 22, 2013, about the state's multibillion cop-out. As we
1. Spend down the billions we saved under ACES, and
2. Institute all manner of taxes on ourselves, and
3. Reduce the PFD, and
4. See our economy crash.
We should all be angry this has been forced upon us.
Just remember to focus that anger where it belongs: at the so-called "conservative" Republicans in the Legislature who are doing nothing to conserve Alaska's savings.
House Bill 191 would have returned Alaska to separate accounting. It was introduced by Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, in April 2015. It was referred to House Finance, where it was heard once, then held in committee. It was also referred to House Resources, where it's never had a single hearing. Both are firmly under control of the Republican majority, and therefore, the oil industry itself.
Other than Seaton and a handful of other statesmen, if your House rep has an R after his or her name; they are the problem. Ask them about HB 191, and see what kind of song and dance you get.
— Peter Blanas
Anchorage
ADN should respect readers
Alaska Dispatch News is so biased, I'm surprised it doesn't fall off the left side of the press before it hits the delivery trucks. A journalist's most important task is to report the facts, allowing the consumer to interpret. Anchorage has only one newspaper. Sadly, a town with only one newspaper has none.
— Jacqueline Fries
Anchorage
Lesson learned in Washington
I grew up on Puget Sound in Washington where we used to have plentiful salmon runs that filled our bellies and supported our communities. We too prioritized our need for energy for our growing infrastructure and our salmon suffered.
Now we are paying extensively to bring our salmon home.
Coal is a caustic and obsolete material and is not worth trading for a resource that supports 38,400 full-time jobs statewide. We must learn from Washington's mistakes and help save our salmon before it's too late. Come celebrate and advocate for salmon at Alaska Wild Salmon Day, Aug. 10 at Cuddy Family Midtown Park.
— Eva Cosgrove
Anchorage
Big Oil to buy more legislators
I see in ADN that oil companies are getting together to fight any attempt by the people of the state to have a fair tax structure. They are going to target any "moderate" that might compromise and represent the people of Alaska, rather than the oil companies.
The oil companies want bigger tax breaks and will let the people of Alaska carry the full tax load. I feel sorry for Big Oil because they have to buy more legislators. Surely I would wonder why the voters in Alaska are willing to give the Big Oil shills more time in the Legislature to pass bills that will benefit only the oil companies. Basically the oil companies could care less about Alaska and its people. All they want is the revenue.
— Jay Cross
Big Lake
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