Places and Times To Sign The SB 21 Oil Tax Repeal Referendum Petition

The 2012 election finally gave our governor, former Conoco Phillips lobbyist, Sean Parnell, the votes he needed in the Alaska Senate to pass Senate Bill 21 that changed the taxes on the companies that extract Alaska's oil.  The impact on the state has been said to be around $2 billion a year, though the number varies.  The rationale was that it would stir companies to invest more in Alaska, but there were no requirements put on the oil companies and they've made no promises.

The Democrats have called this a giveaway to the oil companies at time when education and health care and other important services that Alaskans rely on are being cut.  Republicans say it is needed.

A referendum is gathering signatures and needs a few more before the deadline July 13.  I just got a notice saying where people can sign the petition.

Alaskans wanting to sign should go to one of the following two locations in Anchorage between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.:

·       The Loussac Library at 3600 Denali Street, off 36^th Street

·       Barnes and Noble bookstore at 200 E Northern Lights Blvd, near A Street

In Wasilla:  Post Office, 410 Main St.

In Fairbanks, Alaskans can go to:

·       The Noel Wien Library at 1215 Cowles Street, from 11:30 to 4 p.m.

·       The IBEW Hall at 2000 Airport Way at Wilbur Street during business hours

·       Denali Chiropractic at 1018 College Road

Given the wide difference in opinions, it seems to me that getting the referendum on the ballot will give people time to sift through the facts and better consider this decision.  There will, of course, be a lot of propaganda, but unless there are enough signatures, there will be no debate.