Walker: Full fiscal package this year doesn’t seem realistic

Gov. Bill Walker says realistically he won’t get the comprehensive fiscal plan he’d hoped for this year.

In an interview Thursday, Walker says he’s concerned but cannot force legislators to vote on issues they’re not ready to vote on.

For months, Walker has called for passage of a fiscal package to help pull the state out of a multibillion-dollar deficit over the next couple years. He proposed a plan that included tax increases, oil and gas tax credit changes, a personal income tax and structured annual draws from Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to help pay for state government.

The Legislature passed a tax credit bill that Walker says needs further work but has an impact. The Senate passed the permanent fund bill, which still must overcome concerns in the House.

There’s been little interest in Walker’s tax bills.

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