Governor Stresses Oil Tax Cuts in State of State Address

Continues “Choose Respect” campaign against domestic violence

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Jan 17, 2013 at 7:34 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jan 17, 2013 at 7:34 AM AKDT

JUNEAU - In his fourth annual State of the State address Wednesday night, Governor Sean Parnell continued his drumbeat on resource development, including a cut in oil production taxes and movement toward a natural gas pipeline.

There were no real surprises in the speech, as the governor remained on message with initiatives he has been pushing for two and three years now.

But he is seeking to sustain momentum, not just on resource development, but also on his campaign against domestic violence and sexual assault.

Parnell reminded legislators that in last year’s State of the State address he called on the three major North Slope producers to align their interests among themselves and with TransCanada, the pipeline company under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act.

Having achieved that alignment, the governor called for another step forward.

"Tonight, I set another important benchmark for the private parties involved in the Alaska pipeline project: By February 15 – one month from now – they must select a concept on an all-Alaska project. Let me be clear: That means describing and detailing the project and pipeline specifications."

Simultaneously, Parnell called for giving greater authority to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation to pursue a project emphasizing gas for Alaskans.

On oil taxes, he touted the new bill he introduced Wednesday that is intended to encourage more investment on the slope and reverse the production decline curve.

"By eliminating progressivity, and rebalancing capital tax credit payments, we can create a simpler 25 percent tax… What will remain will be a more balanced, more competitive, and more predictable tax system, one with greater protections for Alaskans at lower oil prices, in exchange for lower taxes at higher oil prices."

Parnell also touched on public safety, calling for 15 more village public safety officers, and seeking to build on his "Choose Respect" campaign of the past three years.

"The bill I propose would increase sentences for child pornography, ensure sex traffickers serve all of their time, require johns who target minors to register as sex offenders, and allow court-ordered GPS tracking of abusers, stalkers, and assaulters."

Parnell said with a stable economy, a good state credit rating and abundant natural resources, the state of the state is strong, but he says it requires action to keep it that way.

The governor has been faulted by Democrats for not proposing an increase in the K-12 per-student formula.

But he called on the Legislature to set a goal of a 90 percent high school graduation rate by the year 2020.

State Democrats say the governor's priorities are out of order.

Representative Beth Kerttula called for more state funding for schools and fewer tax breaks for resource development.

The Senate minority leader, Johnny Ellis, said the governor's proposal for oil and gas reform is a big giveaway that could cost the state 2 billion dollars.

“If Alaska stops getting our fair share for our oil, it will bust our budget, and that means politicians will look to sales and income taxes and a potential raid on your PFD – that's not scare tactics, that's what is coming if this bill passes.”

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the fun has just begun... said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 10:27 AM

Sean is Sarah Palin in a man's body...get real folks!

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yeah he stress allright... said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 12:03 PM

Over that HUGE account that England deposited and others ravaged...now that the legal owner wants answers Sean is sweating bullets...darn that law!

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yeah and where is Panetta now? said on Friday, Jan 18 at 11:27 AM

cover your tracks - cover them good now...oh dang darn that evidence already entered...darn that law!

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Anonymous said on Monday, Jan 21 at 3:20 PM

I will not notify the birthright owner of the trust account and investments made with it...I will allow the birthright owners children who are rape victims to continue with no justice...I will continue to cover it up and lie about it to officials...

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Anonymous said on Monday, Jan 21 at 3:24 PM

I heard that Chuck Heath's dick jumped in his wife's sisters pants...but might be another kid they spit out who knows...this one sounds like a blackmarket baby and the Catholic Social Services global are known to do that...check into it...google it...

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lol said on Monday, Jan 21 at 9:25 PM

you forgot about the neighbors who helped Paylan go after this trust fund baby...used the neighbors to do it...first was lorna who went after a black man for rape he didn't commit then it was her aunty who took that baby to the church then it was the bf who held Paylans hand...and that is just the tip of the iceberg...

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