State budget director Pat Pitney warned that shorting the Kivalina school project could reopen lawsuits about inequalities in rural school funding.
Southcentral
Floor debate set to begin on oil and gas tax bill
The House Rules Committee released its version of House Bill 247, which scales back tax credits for oil and gas industry, on Thursday.
Bank threatens to sue the state for $28M over Anchorage LIO move
If lawmakers abandon their lease of the Anchorage LIO, the bank holding the developers’ debt says it will sue for up to $27.5 million.
Anchorage Assembly tells legislators to keep LIO downtown
The Anchorage Assembly passed a resolution asking lawmakers not to move its office out of downtown. Lawmakers are considering moving to the Wells Fargo building in the Spenard neighborhood.
After delays, oil and gas tax bill gets hearing
The committee’s version of the bill would phase out refundable tax credits over the next three years.
For first time, Cook Inlet oil and gas lease sale has no bidders
“Companies are looking to make investments, they need some degree of certainty, and there is nothing but uncertainty right now in the Alaska oil and gas industry,” an AOGA representative said.
Homer area hydroelectric plant expansion pending
A pending capacity-building project at the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric near Homer will slightly change the nature of Kachemak Bay’s waters, which may affect fisheries.
Legislature OKs up to $12.5M for Wells Fargo building in Anchorage
The council turned to the Wells Fargo building after Gov. Bill Walker threatened to veto $32.5 million the council planned to spend to buy the Anchorage Legislative Information Office.
Ferry fares rise for third time in a year
It’s costing 14 percent more to take the ferry to and from the Lower 48. The higher fare is part of another round of tariff increases aimed at boosting income and equalizing rates across all routes.
Walker, industry leader differ on oil and gas tax credit bill
Considering the governor and the Legislature’s majorities remain far apart on an income tax and other tax increases, it doesn’t look like the session will end any time soon.