Reps. Doogan, Kerttula, Gardner, and Gara take questions from reporters, Tuesday, March 29th, 2011, at the Alaska State Capitol. (KTUU/Ted Land) |
House Democrats, unhappy with the governor's oil tax bill, made no progress in their attempts to change the measure, Tuesday afternoon.
Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage) and Rep. Mike Doogan (D-Anchorage) offered a few amendments, one of which would have the program sunset in 2014. The amendments were all voted down.
It was a tough fight for the Democrats, because they're outnumbered by Majority members on the House Finance Committee, many of whom support tax breaks for the oil industry as a way to spur North Slope investment and fill the pipeline.
The committee advanced the bill in an 8-3 vote just after 5pm Tuesday, ending weeks of intense debate. HB 110 now moves on to the House floor for a vote.
