Governor touts oil taxes, blasts critics

WASILLA — Gov. Sean Parnell is in the Mat-Su Valley this week for several bill signing and campaign events. Thursday he stopped by the Frontiersman before heading to a meet and greet set up at the Gathering Grounds Café in Wasilla by the Young Professionals Network.

Friday he signed House Bill 23, advancing the Knik Arm Crossing project; Senate Bill 190, permiting unlicensed Alaskans to perform duties that are currently restricted to those holding a guide license; SB 201, amending state statutes regarding what constitutes “notice” and where notices must be posted; HB 161, amending amends state statutes for auctions or raffles relating to big game harvest permits. Specifically, this legislation changes the number of harvest permits the Department of Fish and Game commissioner can issue each year, and also defines which non-profit organizations can conduct auctions; and House Bill 19 allowing unorganized boroughs and municipalities to opt-in to a permanent vehicle registration program for noncommercial vehicles.

On his mind Thursday was an opinion piece by Lieutenant Governor candidate Craig Fleener taking Parnell to task for his handling of an invitation to address the National Congress of American Indians. Parnell said the way the invitation — and subsequent column — was handled was a “set-up.”

In an opinion piece published in the Anchorage Daily News, Fleener, running mate of Parnell’s opponent Bill Walker, called Parnell’s absence “embarrassing and hurtful to all Alaskans.”

“The governor’s absence is symptomatic of a larger problem infecting tribal and state relations. For decades Alaska Natives have sought a closer relationship, or at least respectful dialogue with the state to resolve contentious issues that have long perpetuated a poisonous division within our state,” Fleener wrote.

But, Parnell said, the organizers of the event had known since May 7 that he wouldn’t be there.

“I told them then I could not go because I had committed to go to a 60th wedding anniversary for my in-laws,” he said.

On May 19 his office sent a letter officially bowing out, he said. On May 30 he was invited to participate in a candidates’ forum at the event and again he declined for the same reason, he said.

“They left my name as welcome speaker on the agenda,” Parnell said, and then the organizers expressed surprise when he didn’t show up.

“It was designed to diminish the good work that I’ve done for rural Alaskans and for all Alaskans,” he said.

He called Fleener’s opinion piece “underhanded and poor” and said that it was part of a “pattern of false statements.”

During the same meeting with the Frontiersman editorial board he also defended his handling of allegations of sexual abuse in the Alaska National Guard.

“I took it very seriously when those allegations came forward in 2010,” Parnell said.

He asked Major General Thomas Katkus for an explanation and received assurances that each allegation was being investigated and addressed.

“In February, when I actually learned some information to cause me to have concern whether the command structure was adequately addressing the situation, that’s when I called for an investigation,” he said.

Parnell also talked oil taxes. His oil tax structure is a major issue this campaign season, both in his run for re-election and in a ballot initiative that aims to repeal Senate Bill 21, the legislation that changed the oil tax in Alaska.

Parnell said that the tax structure is crucial to promoting development in the state.

“To continue to develop Point Thompson and a gas line is dependent upon holding SB21 where it is,” he said.

He said he doesn’t see that the vote on SB21 is also a review of his work as governor.

“I feel like it will be a referendum on the future of economic policy,” in Alaska, he said. “Of course, it’s an important vote to me politically, but it’s more important to Alaska.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270 or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.