Controversy from a recent Haines Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting carried into the committee’s most recent gathering as well. But this time, the topic of debate was whether Haines should pursue a “bicycle friendly community” designation. Questions were once against raised about conflicts of interest on advisory committees.
Tourism
Italian band Soviet Soviet denied entry to the U.S., jailed and then deported
The Italian post-punk group, which had tried to enter the U.S. to play at member station KEXP and then at SXSW, says it was sent back to Italy by authorities after spending the night in jail.
Juneau exempts cruise ships from sales tax, then tees up $100,000 in sales tax for cruise industry lawsuit
Separate from the sales tax exemption, the Juneau Assembly had its first reading on an ordinance to earmark sales tax revenue to keep paying lawyers retained to fight the cruise industry’s lawsuit against the city.
Young leaders help shape Arctic policy at Model Arctic Council
Proposals drafted by last spring’s Model Arctic Council may be considered by the real Arctic Council when they meet in Alaska starting this week.
Juneau Assembly to vote on sales tax exemption for cruise ships
The city’s finance department concluded last year that cruise ships are legally liable to collect local sales tax and could raise as much as $100,000 annually. But an ordinance considered by the Juneau Assembly on March 6 would exempt onboard transactions as a friendly gesture to the industry.
Eaglecrest Ski Area proposes beer and wine sales
Après-ski drinks are common in the Eaglecrest Ski Area parking lot. Now, the Eaglecrest board wants to license alcohol sales and earn a slice of the revenue.
After uncertainty, Alaska national parks get green light to hire summer staff
Alaska National Parks can hire the hundreds of seasonal employees they need to keep up with summer operations. Seasonal staffing was thrown into limbo when President Donald Trump ordered a federal hiring freeze in January. After about a month of questions and waiting,
Alaska tourism industry seeks new statewide tax district
The budget for state-funded tourism marketing has been cut by nearly 80 percent, but Alaska’s tourism industry continues to grow. Visitor counts for 2016 aren’t available yet, but in 2015, the state attracted a record 2 million visitors.
Juneau’s downtown cruise terminal preparing for bigger boats
A $54 million project to add a pair of floating cruise ship berths to Juneau’s downtown waterfront is within months of completion. The project will expand the port’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels. That’s because cruise ships in Alaska are getting bigger.
Juneau Assembly pushes sales tax exemption for cruise ships
The Juneau mayor’s tax initiative will certainly be welcomed by the cruise line industry which says its passengers pay nearly $8 million in sales tax while onshore in Juneau but has historically not paid sales tax for goods and services sold aboard its vessels.