Where is the integrity?

To the editor:

The U.S. Department of Interior published a worldwide comparative analysis of taxes on oil profits, which is distributable cash remaining after production and shipping costs are paid.

It placed Louisiana’s tax at 85 percent; federal waters off Louisiana 79 percent; Texas and Alaska 76 percent. Governor Parnell told the Alaska oil and Gas Association’s (AOGA) Make Alaska Competitive luncheon that, “Alaska’s tax equated 72 percent.” Common Wealth North published 73 percent while the AOGA parrots the Interior at 76 percent.

Mexico’s government publications show a tax equivalent of 94 percent. However, AOGA falsely advertises that Alaska’s oil tax is the highest in North America.

Parnell’s deputy commissioner of revenue told our senators the same. Rep. Hawker said it in the Anchorage Daily News. Their continual repeat of this false claim is the basis for their argument that Alaska is “uncompetitive.” It’s their rationale for diverting 30 years worth of future PFDs into the pockets of the oil company shareholders that fund their campaigns.

Months ago, I delivered proof of Mexico’s 94 percent tax to Parnell’s commissioner — Hawker — and the AOGA with no response, no corrections. Where is the integrity?

Ray Metcalfe

Anchorage