Spotlight on Juneau

February 9, 2002

Hello Voters,

First it was big Spending Bills; and now here come the TAXES!!!  Please take a few minutes and read the following Bills, then submit your comments to the Legislature.  If we all let the “other guy” take care of this problem, we deserve whatever happens next.  Let’s not leave a big mess for our kids to clean up.  We must ALL act NOW! 

Our web site should be up in a few days.  It will be full of helpful information, and real scary numbers!  If this doesn’t inspire everyone to action, I’ll stand on my head!  Will send another notice around when this becomes available.

We have several committees that need HELP!  If you can donate some time doing research, writing letters, or helping with the web site; please give me a call NOW.

SB 115 More Public Funds for Private Storage Tank Owners

"An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Storage Tank Assistance."  This bill will cost taxpayers an additional $51,400.  This should have gone away years ago.  The longer it stays, the more it will cost! 

SB 153 Even More Public Funds for Private Storage Tank Owners

"An Act replacing the storage tank assistance fund with the underground storage tank revolving loan fund and relating to that revolving loan fund; repealing the tank cleanup program and the tank upgrading and closure program; and providing for an effective date."  There are no fiscal notes attached to this legislation, making it a “blank check” clearly benefiting a few, at the expense of us ALL. 

HB 229 Education Tax Bill 

“There is imposed a tax of $100 a year on each individual 19 years of age or older and employed, including self-employed, in the state”. 

HB 303 Sales Tax Bill

“The rate of the sales tax is six percent of the price of goods sold or otherwise transferred, rents, and the value of services performed”. 

HB 324 Just Another Reason to Spend OUR money!

Post 9/11 knee jerk reaction with a huge price tag.  In the legislation it clearly states; “No community, state, or nation will ever have the wealth to meet all responsibilities of government while building a stand-alone system that focuses solely on protection from terrorism”.  This bill proposes spending $102,138,100 of our dollars to trying! 

SB 236 Senate Version of HB 324

“No community, state, or nation will ever have the wealth to meet all responsibilities of government while building a stand-alone system that focuses solely on protection from terrorism”.  This bill proposes spending $102,138,100 of our dollars trying!  

HB 288 Limited Entry Buy-Back Program

"An Act relating to commercial fisheries limited entry permit buy-back programs."  The cost to taxpayers is unknown, as no fiscal notes are attached.  Clearly special interest legislation beneficial to a few commercial fishermen, and paid for by taxpayers. 

HB 360 $12,000,000 for marketing salmon industry. 

"An Act making appropriations to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute for generic salmon marketing; and providing for an effective date”. 

HB 258 A 2% tax on Gross Business Receipts

“In addition to the $25 due (business license fee) under (a) of this section, a person shall pay a tax equal to two percent of the gross receipts from the business during the year for which the license is issued”. 

HB 10 Income Tax Bill

“For each taxable year or fractional part of a taxable year after December 31, 2001, there is imposed a tax upon the taxable income of every resident, nonresident, and part-year resident individual and fiduciary of the state.  Rate begins at 5% to 10%, by 2004 it’s 15% to 20%!  

HB 199 Another Income Tax Bill

“For calendar year 2002, the tax under this section is one percent of the individual's income; (2)  for each calendar year after 2002, the tax under this section is two and one-fourth percent of the individual's taxable income. 

SB 266 Fishery Enhancement Loans with Public Funds

“make loans to qualified regional associations that have formed a nonprofit corporation or a local nonprofit corporation approved by a qualified regional association, for preconstruction activities necessary to obtain a permit” 

HB 359 Tourism Marketing GRANT

"An Act making a supplemental appropriation for tourism marketing efforts; and providing for an effective date."  This bill gives $6,000,000 MORE tax dollars into the marketing efforts of a PRIVATE industry. 

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