Fairbanks meeting set Sunday afternoon to launch oil tax petition drive

Supporters of the “Fair Share Act”, an initiative to raise Alaska taxes on the largest and most profitable oil fields, will hold a kickoff event Sunday at 3 p.m. to bring the signature-collection drive to Fairbanks.

The meeting is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 3299 Riverview Drive, home of former Sen. Joe Paskvan. The event is co-hosted by Paskvan, Patrice Lee, Jorgy Jorgensen, Pamela Throop, Mary Nordale, Mike Craft and others.

Anyone who wants to sign a petition book, donate to the campaign or learn more about the initiative is welcome. Volunteers are also needed to help gather signatures in the Fairbanks area.

“If possible, please bring a dish, beverage or snack to share,” the group said. “Please come whether or not you can bring something. You are the most important person at this event. Come be active in supporting a more balanced approach to revenues for state government,” the sponsors said.

The initiative would apply only to the Prudhoe Bay, Kuparuk and Alpine oil fields, meaning that new oil projects and new oil fields would not see a change. It would also end the tax credits of up to $8 a barrel included in the SB 21 oil tax six years ago and raise the gross production tax that applies at low prices. The measure also would require greater public disclosure. More details are here.

The sponsors of the initiative hope to gather in the next two-and-a-half months, the more than 28,000 signatures required to get the measure on the ballot next fall.