Members of House panel, some begrudgingly, move tax bills

The House Finance Committee has advanced three of Gov. Bill Walker’s tax proposals, though several members indicated they did so begrudgingly to allow for a House floor vote.

Download Audio

Governor Walker has requested a complete overhaul of the state's oil and gas tax credit program (Photo by Skip Gray, 360 North)
Governor Walker has requested a complete overhaul of the state’s oil and gas tax credit program (Photo by Skip Gray, 360 North)

The bills would raise taxes on motor fuels and the fishing and mining industries and are pieces of a larger plan from Walker to address Alaska’s deficit.

Rep. Lance Pruitt said if the committee refused to move them, lawmakers risked getting called into another special session. He supported advancing the bills but said he wouldn’t vote for them on the floor.

Rep. Tammie Wilson opposed moving the bills, saying lawmakers don’t know enough about the economic impacts.

Previous articleVolunteers work to restore the amphibious plane, the Grumman Goose
Next articleAlaska News Nightly: June 2, 2016