Friday Morning Comment: Strike One
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July 17, 2009: In his first official policy recommendation to the Alaska State Legislature, Lt. Governor Sean Parnell has given notice that the Palin Doctrine lives on; get your money for nothing and your government for free.
Today, the soon to be Governor of Alaska sent a request to lawmakers asking them to expand the scope of their upcoming August special session to include legislation that would extend the suspension of the state fuel tax.
"Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell is asking Alaska lawmakers to expand the scope of the upcoming special session. Parnell is asking lawmakers to extend the suspension of the .08 cent per-gallon motor fuels tax, which is set to expire at the end of August," the release from Parnell's office read.
Last summer in a very populist move, the state's gas tax was suspended for a year. This was short sighted pandering.
According to the Department of Revenue, for the last eight years, the state motor fuel tax has brought in an average of $39 million a year. The tax, at eight cents a gallon, is not only the lowest state gas tax in the nation, but hasn't been raised since John F Kennedy was in the White House.
Let me repeat that; Alaska's gas tax is the lowest in the nation at .08 per gallon and hasn't been raised since 1961.
It's nominal and it goes towards road maintenance. In addition, the tax is not strictly paid by Alaskans. In the summer, there are thousands of outside and rental vehicles travelling the state helping carry a portion of the cost as well as tour groups who pay through fuel surcharges.
At a time when the state already falls short of the necessary resources needed to keep Alaska's roads maintained as well as construct new infrastructure, turning our backs on roughly $40 million a year makes absolutely no sense.
"We've been saying for years we're lacking the funds to meet state needs," said Jeff Ottesen, director of the transportation department's division of program development during a press interview back in February.
But according to Parnells first public policy position, he plans on financing the state's crumbling transportation infrastructure by collecting nothing from users.
Parnell's action on the gas tax took lawmakers by surprise and have put them in a corner. If lawmakers (who will have to find a way to pay for roads next year) deny the request, they'll look like tax and spenders while Parnell gets good press.
Lawmakers had been growing accustomed to getting jacked from behind in public by Palin, but Parnell?
They hoped for better communication and respect from a former club member.
Lawmakers should refuse to expand the call of the special session and let the gas tax resume on September 1, 2009.
For the last few weeks every politico in this state has been asked about what kind of governor Parnell will make. If his gas tax policy is any indication of what to expect for leadership, the smoke and mirrors will be staying when Palin leaves.
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