What You Can Do About SB21
The Republican-dominated Senate just voted to give Alaska’s future away. So, what are you going to do now?
Disneyland? Wrong answer.
The savings that Alaska has accrued from it’s oil tax revenue will now go straight into the pockets of the most profitable corporations in the history of the world. We have no guarantees of any increased oil production, jobs, or exploration. History tells us we won’t get any of it.
For a summary of what happened, with quotes and video clips of important moments, click HERE. Nine senators (7 Democrats and 2 Republicans) stood up for you, and withstood pressure from industry, and Republicans who’ve given their votes and souls to Big Oil.
Is it hopeless? Is it a foregone conclusion that we’ll be facing a devastating financial crisis without enough for education, roads, bridges, adequate public safety and critical state needs? Is it inevitable that when the money runs out they’ll start raiding the PFD, or raising property taxes, or instituting a state income tax?
YOU CAN STILL DO SOMETHING, AND THIS IS IT.
This bill, or a revised version of it, will be coming back to the Senate once the House has its way with it. The Senate will vote again.
1) CALL YOUR SENATOR. This bill comes back to the Senate, and senators can change their votes. If you are no longer going to vote for your senator because of how they voted on this bill, tell them. If you are going to work for their opponent in two years (because they’re ALL up for re-election in two years) tell them.
2) Tell your friends, neighbors and coworkers what is happening. You, being politically engaged and aware, have NO idea how many people out there don’t know about this bill and what it means for Alaska’s future. And guess what? When they find out, they are really, really mad. As they should be. Tell them they still have time to make a fuss.
Here is a list of the Senators who voted to sell your future. Tell them what you think, and urge them to change their vote.
Senator Click Bishop – 800-336-7383 <—– Potential swing vote
Senator John Coghill – 877-465-3719
Senator Mike Dunleavy – 907-465-6600
Senator Fred Dyson – 800-342-2199
Senator Anna Fairclough – 800-861-5688 <—- Most outspoken in favor
Senator Peter Micciche – 800-964-5733 <—-ConocoPhillips employee
Senator Cathy Giessel – 800-892-4843 <—- Chair of Resources Committee
Senator Charlie Huggins – 800-862-3878 <—- Senate President
Senator Pete Kelly – 907-465-3709
Senator Lesil McGuire – 800-365-2995 <—- Should know better
Senator Kevin Meyer – 866-465-4945 <—- ConocoPhillips employee
3) Start a cookie jar savings account and vow to support the senators that stood up for you, and that stood up for Alaska. You know what industry will be gunning for their seats.
Phone bank for them, hang fliers on doorknobs for them, donate to them, vote for them. You may not agree with them on everything, but they’ve shown you that they are working for YOU and not tools of the oil companies. And that’s important.
Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage)
Senator Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage)
Senator Hollis French (D-Anchorage)
Senator Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage)
Senator Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel)
Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak)
Senator Bert Stedman (R-Sitka)
Senator Dennis Egan (D-Juneau)
Senator Donny Olson (D-Nome)
If the vote is tied, the bill goes nowhere. All it takes is ONE to change his/her mind. Buck up, Mudflatters,and keep the pressure on.
The governor and legislature have been kicking a hornets nest with the repeal of ACES. That action may get enough Alaskans to organize and overturn SB21 by a referendum as outlined in AS Sec. 15.45.250. My household has 4 voters ready to sign one when available and I have $100 available for the required deposit.
We’re telling everyone we know! This transcends party affiliations. This is about EVERY Alaskan. Great info, great job keeping us informed. Many thanks for all you do!
Who is Stan Tucker??
According to Wiki-Tucker is pastor of Pilgrims Baptist Church in Wasilla. Could be others out there.
They can’t do it to us without us, Alaska!!
Never in the course of human events have so few given so much for so little in return
It should be head lines since our news papers are owned by outside interests, won’t be.. So keep the names of those who are saleing Alaska cheap, and work to elect there opposition whom ever that may be. .hey! would be glad to take money for promises of future service, some thing we know is not going to happen to many bad examples of big business and oil overriding common sense(most elected officials don’t have with few exceptions) seems were not getting what we pay for.. oil pays more.
Way to go, Muddie.
I sure as hell have not folded and am looking to rip them a new one– the ignorant, the stupid, and the devious, as it is quite apparent the Senate Republicans are inflicting that trifecta of human flaws on our electorate in equal measure.
Each of whom is riding the Elephant named Oligarchy as they blithely trample on our state constitution and sovereignty.
This treachery must be confronted.
And this to whom it may concern from Shannyn Moore:
Brad Faulkner has lifted the illicit Wizard of Law’s (Governor Porn-ell’s) curtains and the skirt he scurried into office behind while dodging the Monkey-Pumps of the previous Governor.
Aye, the Manchurian Mouse, himself.
http://homernews.com/homer-opinion/point-of-view/2013-03-20/sb-21-will-cost-state-billions
Coghills office just said they did the reconsideration yesterday and we should be calling the house side.
I have much less hope of turning the House than one Senator. I’m sure he’d love people to be calling the House instead of him. Technically, all it would have taken is one Senate vote, and it could have been (and still could be) his.
So, who in the House might be amenable to reason?
Click Bishop seemed the most human of them all before he succumbed to their persuasion/pressure on this. Perhaps he’s got the best chance of growing a conscience and listening to the people who voted him over Seekins?
Sorry, just realized you were asking about the house… Click Bishop still seems most hopeful in the senate, not sure about the house. Thoughts anyone?
Dunleavy doesn’t care– he had no opponent in the last race, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone who is as “slick” as he is to run against him in Mat-Su. I’ve heard that the guy was run out of KOZ, that he was crappy superintendent, but he appeals to the populace in Mat-Su because he criticizes the system, and he is in with the religious right. If the Catholics start to support human rights again, we’ll see if he stays or if he joins the evangelicals and binds himself further with Stan Tucker.
Joins? He is already in bed with them. I mean, “further.”
Dunleavy ran against Menard.
His supporters called her too liberal.
Just a revealing FYI.
Would someone explain to me why this is not on the front page of the paper with huge headlines???
Watch for Fairbanks to break it first.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.