Legislators to meet for special session Monday

Alaska state legislators are poised to meet Monday for their fifth special session in two years.

Gov. Bill Walker says they need to finish the work of addressing Alaska’s budget deficit. But Walker’s agenda could face an uphill battle, given his proposals so far have struggled to gain traction.

House Minority Leader Chris Tuck questions how productive the session might be. He says his fear is that holding a special session weeks after the last special session and weeks before the primary will force people to take hard-line positions.

Walker’s special session proclamation includes a proposal to use earnings from the Alaska Permanent Fund to help pay for state government; a tax package; and a proposal dealing with oil and gas tax credits. Newly included in the tax package is a sales tax.

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