Democrats Berkowitz, French divided on oil taxes
From the Anchorage Daily News: The race for the Democratic nomination for governor is shaping up to be a fight over oil taxes, with state Sen. Hollis French saying Wednesday that his opponent, Ethan Berkowitz, wants to dump a hard won tax that brings the state billions of dollars and offers incentives for companies to find more oil.
Berkowitz going rogue on ACES
From the Alaska Dispatch: Berkowitz suggested replacing the tax law known as Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share with a field-by-field royalty structure. A handful of local Democratic lawmakers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with French in a press conference at French’s campaign headquarters to blast Berkowitz for his abdication of what they see as a key Democratic victory.
Oil taxation splits Democrats running for Alaska governor
From the Anchorage Daily News: French, Berkowitz’s opponent in the Democratic primary, was one of the legislators who was most influential during the passage of the current oil tax, which Berkowitz wants to replace. Berkowitz, on his campaign website and in editorials he’s written, has called for examining a completely new system that would “eliminate ACES entirely and replace it with a field-by-field royalty structure.”
Candidates weigh in on seafood
From the Anchorage Daily News: “We need to put more jobs in the hands of more Alaskans. That is the biggest opportunity,” said Democratic state Sen. Hollis French. “That should be our objective — to make sure our children and the Alaskans who want to get jobs can get them on the boats, with the processors, on the beaches, wherever the jobs are.”
Our view: Disclosure – Alaska law keeps the light on
From the Anchorage Daily News: With his signature on Tuesday, Gov. Sean Parnell made Senate Bill 284 state law, requiring strict disclosure rules for corporate and union political ads and contributions in election campaigns. Sen. Hollis French led the way in the disclosure legislation, which he and other lawmakers swiftly put together after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down limits on corporate funding of independent political campaigning in January.
Parnell announces cuts to capital, operating budgets
From KTUU Channel 2: Gov. Sean Parnell says he does not support expanding a state health insurance program for children and pregnant women. Parnell made the announcement Thursday morning, when he told reporters about the $336 million in spending he’s deleting from state budgets.
Governor vetoes Denali KidCare expansion
From the Associated Press: Gov. Sean Parnell announced he will veto an expansion of a health insurance program for low-income families because he recently found out the program pays for abortions. State Sen. Hollis French says the decision will deny health insurance to 1,200 low-income children and 300 mothers.
2010 Session: Delivering Results For Alaskans
A campaign is about articulating a vision and demonstrating that you can actually get things done. Working together, we can make meaningful progress on a variety of the tough issues we face today.
French Campaign Travels to Petersburg
When I started my bid for governor in Fairbanks last July, I promised an energetic statewide campaign. In early March I boarded the M/V Matanuska – one of the largest ferries in the Alaska Marine Highway System – and took that promise to Petersburg.
Lawmakers introduce campaign corporate spending bills
from Alaska Dispatch: Sen. Hollis French, an Anchorage Democrat and candidate for governor, has led the charge in a fast state response. “Disclose your expenses and put disclaimers in your ads so we can understand who is speaking to us,” said French, summarizing the intent.
