Falling oil prices have left a massive hole in Alaska’s budget, and lawmakers are scrambling to propose alternative revenue streams to close the deficit.
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat, introduced a bill last week to increase oil tax revenue as a way to close the gap.
“We’ve got hundreds of teachers positions that are open, you’ve got hundreds of vacancies at the Marine Highway, you’ve got roads that aren’t being plowed,” he said. “I think people are really starting to see the impacts of not funding our government.” McKay said the bill would create “uncertainty and instability” in the oil tax structure as ConocoPhillips’ recently approved
Carpenter did not not respond to requests for an interview. But at a hearing Wednesday night, where he introduced his sales tax bill, he emphasized that it’s just one component of a larger plan.
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