Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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After Presidential Election, How Will Alaska Fare?
Oil and gas development top issue
By Lacie Grosvold


ANCHORAGE - In the aftermath of a divisive election, Alaskans are talking about how they think a new president might affect their lives. Obama supporters, naturally felt more optimistic, but Romney voters worried about the economy. Whichever side, though, Alaskans had questions about one particular issue – oil and gas.

Whether they were concerned about the environmental impacts of offshore drilling or that decreasing throughput will impact the state budget, oil was high on the list of concerns.

Finding exactly how the president might affect Alaskan oil depends on who you ask.

According to Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski's office, "We have seen more lands locked away from Alaska for production under President Obama's first term, including half of the National Petroleum reserve-Alaska being taken off the table."

Democratic Senator Mark Begich's has a different interpretation, saying, quote, "Based on what the Obama administration has already put in writing, we know there will be expansion of oil and gas development on the North Slope. They've committed to more lease sales and greater expansion into the arctic offshore and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska."

Healthcare is another important issue. KTVA talked to two medical workers who say Obama's on the right path. "I have high hopes that President Obama's plans with healthcare will continue," said Christine Dittrich, “so we'll see more people with appropriate healthcare coverage."

Alaska's Republican governor Sean Parnell has taken a strong stance against Obamacare, rejecting federal money for a healthcare exchange.

One man who's seen many elections says he's optimistic, "This is a great country we've been through a lot of things from horses to mules to man on the moon," said Luther Augentien

The elections may be over, but the fallout is just beginning.