Alaska ballot news
From Ballotpedia
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| Propositions • | Recall | • Law |
Here you'll find a collection of ballot news stories from Alaska.
Alaska officials reject ballot measure settlement
JUNEAU, Alaska: Last week Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) rejected a $35,000 settlement regarding the Alaska Clean Water Act (2008). During a hearing held on that day, the attorney for the Pebble Partnership criticized the settlement, calling it a “slap on the wrist” and would not be a good message for future violators.[1] Earlier this year, the Pebble Partnership and the Resource Development Council filed a complaint with APOC claiming that Bob Gillam, an Anchorage financial manager, broke the law in hiding his contributions from voters, regarding the Clean Water measure. Gillam and three associated advocacy groups denied the claims.[2]
Alaska tax challenged in court
JUNEAU, Alaska: According to the Alaska state attorney general on September 22, 2009, a court challenge would not shake the foundations of 2006 ballot measure that was enacted to impose a new $46 per voyage tax "on large cruise ships to pay for vessel services". However, it could change the way the state legislators spend revenue from the tax. The attorney general made his comments before the legislative session began, and after cruise ship operators filed a lawsuit hoping to ban the tax on September 18, 2009.
Cruise ship operators claim that the ballot measure is unconstitutional, citing a violation of prohibition against restraints on interstate commerce. According to the attorney general, "The economic benefits of the cruise ship industry to Alaska are clear, but so are the passenger impacts on the state. The 1 million visitors a year this industry brings is a huge influx in a short period of time. The state and local communities spend significant amounts of money to host these visitors."[3]
Four candidates running for Susitna Community Council
SUSITNA, Alaska: On September 3, 2009, four candidates were approved to run for vacant council seats in the November 3, 2009 election. The candidates include Phenie Miller, Wade Bartel, Bronn Salmon and current council president Robert Coleman.
In addition, three residents are seeking election to the council's alternate seats. Those candidates include Scott Holcomb, Eric Runstrom and Davis Miller.[4]
Fomer Alaska Governor denies invitation to fundraiser
ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Organizers of an event in Anchorage have been advertising to the public that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin would be giving a speech that night and would also become the first signer of a ballot petition the event is supporting.
The problem is, the former Vice Presidential candidate won’t even be in attendance. According to Palin’s spokesperson, Palin didn’t even give confirmation to her appearance at the event nor did they even receive an invitation, stating: “…this is the first we have ever heard of a speech.”
The Alaska Family Council are the organizers of the fundraiser, which is supporting a statewide ballot measure that would make abortion for teens illegal without telling their parents.[5]
Fairbanks voters to decide on air-pollution measure
Fairbanks, Alaska: On August 20, 2009, Fairbanks Borough Assembly approved of a ballot measure that will allow voters to decide if air pollution-prevention programs should be run by the state or by the borough itself. The public vote is set for October 6, 2009 ballot.
According state officials at the air-quality office stated that they would maintain and operate “fine-particle air pollution” in the borough if local officials do not do so.
Mayor Jim Whitaker has suggested ideas that would involve tax breaks, fines or other similar procedures if public voters decide that the borough should regulate the air pollution problems. Air quality specialists claim that wood-burning methods to heat homes is the main cause of the air pollution in the area.[6]
Executive blames 2006 Alaska ballot measure for revenue decline
JUNEAU, Alaska:Ralph Samuels, vice president of government and community relations for Holland America stated that costs for Alaska Ballot Measure 2, that was approved in 2006, "exacerbate" declining revenues that should be repealed. At a presentation given at Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Samuels said that declining revenue margins will result in cruise lines pulling their ships out of the state. Juneau Lawyer Joe Geldhof, author of the ballot measure, stated that Samuels was using "Chicken Little politics" by stating such ideas.
Gedhof elaborates: "People run around saying, 'The sky is falling, the sky is falling,' and after the chamber lunch, people say, 'The sky is falling we have to get something done'. Ralph is trying to create hysteria, to stampede legislators over the cliff and repeal the head tax."[7]
Measure 2 was on the August 22, 2006 primary election in the state of Alaska. It imposed a new $46 per voyage tax "on large cruise ships to pay for vessel services". It imposed a new $46 per voyage tax "on large cruise ships to pay for vessel services".[8]
Kenai highway referendum moves to the ballot
KENAI, Alaska: The Kenai highway rezoning was called into question in 2008 but just last month, city officials announced that the Kenai Spur Highway Rezoning Referendum will in fact be on the October 2009 ballot. The referendum calls for the reversal of the council's decision to rezone 14 of the 22 total acres to "limited commercial." The zone change permits businesses with buildings no larger than 3,000 square-feet. Petition signature requirements required a minimum of 395 signatures. As of last month city officials confirmed that the signatures were verified and the petition was certified.[9] City officials had considered a special election but decided to simply place the referendum on the October ballot. [10]
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