JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A tax package described by Gov. Bill Walker as a necessary measure to address Alaska’s fiscal situation has received a tepid response from some House lawmakers.
During a committee hearing Tuesday, Rep. Les Gara said rolling them into one bill is almost like a recipe to fail, since someone might support one piece but not another.
The package would increase taxes on the fishing and mining industries and on cigarettes, alcohol and motor fuels. It would broaden applicability of a marijuana tax and implement a personal state income tax.
During the regular session, the various taxes were packaged individually.
Revenue Commissioner Randall Hoffbeck said the bills individually did not gain traction during the regular session and as a package, it’s easier to see all the pieces in one place.
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