Representative Justin Parish’s

Capitol Update

April 14, 2017

Hello friends and neighbors in Juneau and across Alaska! The Legislative session is just a couple days away from day 90. We will certainly be going past that point, and I will continue to fight for Juneau’s interests as well as a responsible fiscal plan.

Speaking in favor of House Bill 111.

HB 111 Oil Cash Subsidy and Tax Reform
On Monday, I helped pass a critical part of our fiscal plan on a 21-19 vote. This bill is estimated to generate 100-200 million dollars a year in revenues. It reduces the tax breaks that some companies have used to reduce their effective tax rate below zero. It also eliminates cash subsidies for oil companies. This change is a long time coming. We shouldn’t be subsidizing big multinationals when Alaskans are dealing with real budget crises at home.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to testify on this issue. It went in front of the Resource committee 17 times and saw heavy resistance from oil industry lobbyists, but we got HB111 through the House. It wouldn’t have been possible without your help. I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill and help Alaska get its fair share of the benefit of our natural resources.

HB 165 Veteran Hiring Bill Passes the House Unanimously
My first personal legislation House Bill 165 would direct state hiring authorities to allow the substitution of applicable military experience and training. I applaud my fellow representatives for helping to remove an unnecessary hurdle for our veterans while allowing the state to consider qualified applicants. The bill is now in the Senate.

The Budget Continues its Journey
We have made a great deal of progress in the House. The House Majority passed a fully funded budget that protects education, public safety, and service for our most vulnerable Alaskans, including the residents of the Pioneer’s Homes.

The Senate sent us SB 26, a Permanent Fund only “plan” that would set a $1,000 ceiling for the PFD while still requiring devastating cuts (estimated to cost Alaskans 10,000-15,000 jobs on top of the lost services), and engaging in deficit spending of more than half a billion dollars. We sent it back to them with a $1,250 minimum PFD and with the rule that it’ll only go into effect if they accept our oil reform and institute a broad based tax directed to education funding. I will do everything I can to protect the future of Alaska and Alaskans today. I need your help. Please call your friends around the state and ask them to call their Senators to demand a comprehensive, sustainable, and moral plan.

Have a great week, and please do not hesitate to contact my office at 465-3744 if you have any questions or you would like to meet with me. I would love to hear your ideas on how I can make Juneau a better place to live for all of us.

Justin Parish[signed]
- Representative Justin Parish