Debate a foolish suggestion

To the editor:

So, state Sen. Bill Wielechowski has foolishly challenged Governor Parnell to a debate on Alaska’s oil and gas taxes. I say foolishly because the very idea that our governor would debate a state legislator is a foolish idea in itself and a waste of time.

To begin with, the state Legislature will tear into the oil and gas bill proposed by Governor Parnell. Lawmakers will view it from all sides, right side up and upside down. They will hold it up to the light and debate all ideas, and then they will decide what is best for Alaska and vote yea or nay.

Legislation never has been, and never should be the result of a few minutes of debate between the chief executive (who can’t vote on legislation) and a state legislator. A debate between the two would gain absolutely nothing. Sen. Wielechowski seems to think that this issue is between him and Governor Parnell.

Well it isn’t.

The Senate and Wielechowski had their chance last year to pass an oil and gas tax reform bill, and chose instead to delay, delay, delay until time ran out. This year, hopefully, Governor Parnell’s tax reform ideas will get a fair hearing and vote in both houses. In the mean time, and thanks in large part to the Democratic-controlled coalition in last year’s state Senate, the oil flowing through our pipeline will continue to decline by another 6 percent.

The governor’s proposal to reform oil and gas taxes shows a vision that will increase the oil flow in TAPS and that is the bottom line. The Democrats who oppose his bill have blinders on and cannot see beyond the profits Alaska is making today. That is one reason why the voters elected a Republican majority in the Senate and kept a Republican majority in the House.

We want oil and gas tax reform in line with Governor Parnell’s vision of increasing the volume of oil flowing through TAPS. Sen. Wielechowski’s challenge to debate Parnell is just an attempt at another delay and an insult to the office of our governor.

Bob Lewis

Wasilla