Alaska Oil Tax Cuts Veto Referendum, Ballot Measure 1 (August 2014)

Ballot Measure 1 Type Veto referendum Origin Citizens Topic Taxes Status Defeated d

2014 measures August 19 Ballot Measure 1 d November 4 Ballot Measure 2 a Ballot Measure 3 a Ballot Measure 4 a Endorsements • Full text Advertisements • Polls Expenditures Local measures

The Alaska Oil Tax Cuts Veto Referendum, Ballot Measure 1 was on the August 19, 2014, primary ballot in Alaska as a veto referendum, where it was defeated.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the election results were too close to call for approximately a week due to outstanding absentee and early voting ballots, though it appeared the state's voters had opted to reject the measure, with about 52 percent voting "no". It was finally determined that the measure was, indeed, defeated. The referendum sought to repeal Senate Bill 21, also known as the Oil and Gas Production Tax and the More Alaska Production Act (MAPA), which was passed by the Alaska State Legislature and granted tax breaks to oil companies.

To land the referendum on the ballot, supporters had to collect at least 30,169 valid signatures by July 13, 2013. They ultimately collected more than 52,000 signatures by the deadline, 45,664 of which were confirmed valid by the state's Division of Elections.

Those who supported the referendum and sought to repeal SB 21 believed the tax breaks would only benefit oil companies and not the citizens of Alaska. Those who were against the referendum believed the tax cuts outlined in SB 21 were necessary to incentivize these companies to continue drilling for oil in Alaska. At the time of the election, a majority of Alaska's budget was balanced using revenue from oil taxation. As of July 2014, the opposition campaign had outraised the support campaign by a margin of one hundredfold. Had Ballot Measure 1 been approved and SB 21 repealed, the former oil and gas tax structure, Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share (ACES), would have been reinstated. The change back to ACES would have taken place 30 days after the approval of Ballot Measure 1. However, the measure was defeated, thereby keeping the MAPA tax structure in place.

The full text of SB 21 can be found here.

Election results

In Alaska, veto referendums are worded in such a way that a "yes" vote repeals the law in question, while a "no" vote upholds it.

Below are the certified election results.

Alaska Ballot Measure 1 (2014)
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		99,855	52.7%
Yes		89,608	47.3%

Election results via: State of Alaska Division of Elections

Text of measure

In Alaska, veto referendums are worded in such a way that a "yes" vote repeals the law in question, while a "no" vote upholds it.

Ballot title

The official ballot title of this measure appeared as follows:

“

Ballot Measure No. 1: Referendum An Act Relating to the Oil and Gas Production Tax, Interest Rates on Overdue Taxes, and Tax Credits

”

Ballot summary

The full ballot summary, as prepared by Attorney General Michael C. Geraghty (R), can be read here.

Background

See also: Alaska state budget and finances

State budget and oil revenue

At the time of the election, Alaska did not have a state income tax or statewide sales tax, but it still maintained the lowest tax burden of all 50 states. The vast majority of its budget came from oil and gas activity. Eighty-two percent of Alaska’s estimated state revenues for 2010 were from oil taxes, royalties and fees. In fiscal year 2013, revenue from oil and gas activities, including production taxes, corporate income taxes, property taxes and conservation surcharges, totaled $4,621,125,244 or 91.34 percent of state revenue. Oil and gas production alone accounted for 78.53 percent of the state's revenue in fiscal year 2013. Additionally, a vast majority of this revenue came from a limited number of companies. Out of the 12,086 corporations that filed tax returns in the state in 2013, only 18 were oil and gas companies. Alaska, therefore, relied heavily on revenue from oil to balance its budget. Taxes from the oil and gas industry provided 90 percent of discretionary funds and were used to compensate teachers, some law enforcement officers, roads and snowplows, health care, and state social workers.

The chart above and to the left shows oil and gas production revenue from rents, royalty payments, bonuses, bids, federal payments and settlements in billions of U.S. dollars from 1990 through 2013 on state lands. In 1990, $1.032 billion was collected from oil and gas activity on state lands. This revenue peaked in 2008, when $3.336 billion was collected. In 2013, the most recent year for which data were available at the time of the vote on Ballot Measure 1, $2.807 billion was collected.

At the time of the election, the remaining portion of Alaska's budget was supplemented by federal funds that primarily financed specific services such as Medicare, Medicaid and infrastructure projects.

Budget policy is a major issue in Alaska. To learn more, see "Alaska state budget."

Tax code changes

Under the previous tax code, ACES, oil companies paid a base rate of 25 percent on the first $30 of net profits from a barrel of oil, plus a 0.4 percentage point increase in tax rate for each subsequent $1 in profit per barrel. Under SB 21, oil companies pay a base rate of 35 percent, but the additional add-on tax matching the market price of oil is removed. Given the new provisions detailed in SB 21, it is estimated that the tax on oil will be approximately 14 percent.

Use of veto referendums in Alaska

Since this issue successfully made the ballot, it marked the fourth time Alaskans employed their right of veto referendum. They used it first in 1968, with the Voter Registration Referendum, again in 1976, with the Compensation and Retirement Referendum, and most recently in 2000, with the Alaska Land-And-Shoot Referendum.

Support for "yes" vote

See also: Alaska Ballot Measure 1 campaign ads

Supporters of the referendum created two separate campaigns. One campaign was Stop the Giveaway - Vote yes on Prop 1, whose supporters included Hal Gazaway (D), Barb Gazaway and former Alaska representative Ray Metcalfe. The second campaign was called Vote Yes! Repeal the Giveaway! The referendum's proponents included former Fairbanks mayor, Jim Whitaker, former governor and state representative Jay Hammond's widow, Bella, and former senator, Vic Fischer. Supporters claimed SB 21 only benefited oil companies, not Alaskan citizens. They were confident oil companies would come to Alaska with or without the added incentive of a tax break. After the measure was officially certified in early September 2013, Whitaker said, "I think all Alaskans should be pleased that we have a chance to make a decision individually about something that is going to affect the future of our state for a long time. And this is our shot. This is our chance to do what we think is right."

Supporters

• Hal Gazaway (D)
• Barb Gazaway
• Ray Metcalfe (R)
• Jim Whitaker (R)
• Bella Hammond
• Victor Fischer
• Sarah Palin (R), Former governor of Alaska
• Kevin Banks, former director of the DNR’s Division of Oil and Gas

Arguments

"Thumbs up for Proposition 1," published by Vote Yes! Repeal the Giveaway!

Vote Yes - Repeal the Oil Giveaway developed a slideshow that supplied seven reasons to oppose the oil tax cuts and support the veto referendum. The following is an excerpt from the slideshow:

“	1. It’s a massive giveaway of our wealth with no strings attached. The Parnell Administration estimates SB 21 will cost Alaskans $4.5 billion in the first five years alone. After that billions more will be given to the most profitable corporations in the world. If oil prices increase, the loss to Alaskans will grow ever steeper, up to $2 to $3 billion per year. This is money we could invest in roads, schools and public safety... It’s a bad business deal for Alaskans and a bonanza for multinational oil companies. 2. It violates Alaska’s Constitution. The legislation shall provide for the development of all “natural resources belonging to the State for the maximum benefit of its people” (Article VIII, Section 2). [SB 21] gives to multinational oil companies revenues that are due to the people of the state. It denies Alaskans a fair share of their oil wealth. Our current oil tax system has enabled us to save more than $16 billion in two “rainy day” accounts, giving Alaskans the biggest state savings accounts in the nation. 3. It will drain Alaskans’ savings and push us off a fiscal cliff. Some Alaskans believe SB 21 shows we have become an “owned” state. The campaign to repeal the oil wealth giveaway aims to change that. Our state was founded on the principle that all Alaskans own the natural resources of the state. That’s why Alaska is referred to as an “owner state.” One of our two savings accounts (the Statutory Budget Reserve) will likely be wiped out by 2018. And we will have a significant cash deficit starting next year. Our cash flow deficits will exceed $2 billion a year by 2018 and $3 billion by 2020, assuming state spending continues along its current trajectory. Let’s NOT squander our hard-earned savings and plunge into deficits! We can do better. 4. Our current tax system workers and is fair to all parties. Our current tax system — Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share or ACES — works and is fair to all parties. In the years since ACES passed, oil industry investment in Alaska has increase to an all-time high. [Oil company] spending has increased by 70% in 7 years. In 2011, 19 oil companies competed for 616,000 acres of new petroleum-rich lands, paying the state nearly $21 million. The bidding generated the 6th largest amount ever for tracts on the North Slope… In 2008, the first year after ACES passed, 18 tax returns were filed by oil and gas companies. In 2009, it grew to 26 and, in 2010, to 47. In 2011, 69 returns were filed: a 383% increase under ACES... Under ACES, oil company profits in Alaska have been phenomenal… ACES has not only provided record profits to the oil industry, but record earnings for Alaskans… This healthy revenue stream has enabled the state to invest more in infrastructure, create jobs, and fund critical state services such as education and public safety. ACES has helped to keep property taxes down and local governments afloat... 5. It will discourage investment in Alaska. SB 21 will discourage investment in Alaska. It removes provisions in ACES that encourage companies to invest their earnings here. Under ACES, a company could decrease its taxes by investing more in Alaska. SB 21 offers no incentives like this. Companies can take their money and run. 6. It was built on myths and distortions, at best. SB 21 was built on myths and distortions. Facts took a back sit in the debate over oil taxes this year. Myth #1: Oil production is declining because of ACES. This is simply false. Oil production has been steadily declining since 1988, long before ACES... Myth #2: Industry is fleeing Alaska. Nothing could be further from the truth. Investment has grown since ACES passed and the number of companies doing business here has ballooned... Myth #3: Alaska is losing jobs because of ACES. Again, the facts don’t support this. According to the Department of Labor, employment in the oil and gas industry has increased since ACES was implemented... Myth #4: Your PFG is at risk unless we give big tax breaks to the oil industry. Nothing could be father from the truth. ACES ensures that Alaskans get their fair share for the oil they sell. It provides revenue for state services, protecting your PFD, and ensuring that an income tax is not necessary. SB 21 will create perennial deficients. Pressure will mount to find new sources of revenue, including an income tax or spending money from the Permanent Fund Dividend. Myth #5: Alaska is “uncompetitive.” Critics say our taxes are so high they are driving business away. But Alaska’s tax rates rank in the middle of other oil producing jurisdictions… In Alabama, Texas and Florida, the total government take is 73% on private lands. In Alaska, it is 71%... A recent survey of 645 oil and gas industry executives conducted by the Frasier Institue shows our tax structure is just fine... 7. Alaskans deserve a say in a decision of this magnitude. [SB 21] will affect our schools, cities, services, property taxes, roads, public safety, and everything else. This is our future. It’s our oil. Get involved... Our oil tax system should be fiscally responsible and balanced and provide a bright future for Alaskans. It should not break the bank. We deserve a tax system that provides a sound business deal for Alaskans and the oil industry.	”
—Vote Yes - Repeal the Oil Giveaway

Kevin Banks, former director of the DNR’s Division of Oil and Gas, said he would be voting to repeal SB 21:

“	A yes vote will reinstate the ACES tax system that SB 21 was purported to “reform.” ACES was all about investment. ACES offered tax credits and tax deductions for new exploration and capital expenditures. But in order to get these credits, industry had to invest here -- in Alaska. In return for these generous credits the ACES tax system allowed the state to share in future upside returns with industry. SB 21 has no such mechanism to assure that tax savings realized by oil industry will be plowed back into Alaska. Instead, its advocates have had to appeal to forces of the free market to achieve this goal. But while the oil industry in Alaska is a free market, it is not a competitive market. In a truly competitive market (the Bakken shale oil play in North Dakota?) overall industry investment behavior is more predictable. The decisions taken by a single company have only a small impact on the industry as a whole. But the Alaska oil industry is dominated by the decisions taken by just three companies. We take it on faith that the Big Three always rely on cold calculations of rates of return and other investment metrics to budget for their Alaska projects, but overall corporate policies and the views of Wall Street stock analysts also hold sway in these decisions. Access to resources, divestment opportunities and basin control have substantial impact on the investment decisions of Alaska’s Big Three. ConocoPhillips has pursued exploration opportunities in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska but the pace to develop these has been stymied by environment opposition. ExxonMobil has finally now moved ahead to develop Point Thomson. As a result, ExxonMobil, as the largest holder of North Slope gas reserves, will dictate the pace of development and the ownership of the gas line. In the aftermath of the Macondo well disaster, BP is divesting its Alaska assets -- the sale of its ownership in Milne Point, Northstar, Endicott and Liberty to Hilcorp is the case in point. Easing taxes under SB 21 will have little influence on these decisions. So we debate how SB 21 will affect state tax revenues and a hope for more production. As Richard Mauer suggests, those are facts that are debatable. The central fact about Ballot Measure 1 is simple: it is about political influence. We face a choice to assert what we believe is best for ourselves and our political future or cede substantial control over this future to the oil industry. The massive campaign spending from industry has made this so. We don’t need economic models and forecasts to answer the question, “What future candidate for any elective office will ignore the impact of this tidal wave of cash?” If this future candidate were to take even a moderate position unfavorable to the industry or assert too strongly to seek the “maximum benefit” of oil development for Alaskans, she will face an opponent overwhelmingly funded by oil industry corporate donations. What choices will these candidates then offer? In the face of looming budget deficits, what programs will they propose to cut? Education? Public safety? Roads? Will industry outsource these services to government just as it outsources catering and accounting services? I’m voting yes on Ballot Measure 1 because I want a future where I can debate issues with my neighbors that are important to us without the one-sided, disproportionately funded noise of endless political ads dividing us. We need to preserve the independence that is so much our character as Alaskans. I urge you to vote Yes on One on Aug. 19.	”
—Kevin Banks

Campaign contributions

Total campaign cash as of August 19, 2014
Support:	$488,090
Opposition:	$14,221,602

As of August 19, 2014, two campaign organizations had received an aggregate total of $488,090 in contributions.

PAC info:

PAC/Ballot measure group	Amount raised	Amount spent
Vote Yes! Repeal the Giveaway	$476,840	$574,727
Stop the Giveaway! Vote Yes on Prop 1	$11,250	$6,959
Total	$488,090	$581,686

Disclaimer: According to campaign finance reports published by the state of Alaska, the group, Vote Yes! Repeal the Giveaway, spent more than it raised. This was possible because the group was able to accrue debt.

Top 5 contributors:

Donor	Amount
BJ Gottstein	$310,000
Alaska State Employees Association	$20,000
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers	$20,000
Robin Brena	$15,000
Barnard Gottstein	$10,000

Former Alaska Senate president Chancy Croft, one of the referendum's supporters, predicted in early 2014 that the opposition campaign would outspend the "Vote Yes" campaign 10-to-1. Upon hearing that the opposition campaign had raised $3.5 million by early February, he remarked, "So I was wrong. They are going to outspend us 50-to-1." As of July 2014, the opposition had outraised supporters by approximately 100-to-1.

Opposition to "yes" vote

Four campaign organizations formed to oppose the veto referendum, including Vote No on 1, Keep Alaska Competitive - Vote No on 1, No One On One and We Are Alaska.

Gov. Sean Parnell (R) sponsored and strongly supported Senate Bill 21 and, therefore, was against the effort to repeal it. The governor claimed the tax break would entice oil companies to come to Alaska and boost production. At the time of the election, Alaska relied heavily on revenue from oil to balance its budget, as oil taxes were the state's primary source of income. They provided for 90 percent of discretionary funds and were used to compensate teachers, some law enforcement officers, health care and state social workers, and pay for roads and snowplows.

Opponents

Officials

• Gov. Sean Parnell (R)
• North Slope Borough

Former officials

• Rick Mystrom (R), Former Anchorage Mayor
• Leslie Hajdukovich, Former President of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board

Organizations

• Alaska Republican Party
• Alaska Libertarian Party
• Alaska Federation of Republican Women
• Anchorage Republican Women's Club
• Make Alaska Competitive Coalition
• Alaska Alliance for Cruise Travel
• Alaska Bankers Association
• Alaska Cruise Association
• Alaska Forest Association
• Alaska Miners Association
• Alaska Oil & Gas Association
• Alaska Trucking Association
• Alaska State Home Building Association
• Associated Builders & Contractors of Alaska
• Associated General Contractors of Alaska
• Consumer Energy Alliance Alaska
• Council of Alaska Producers
• The Alaska Support Industry Alliance
• Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.
• Anchorage Economic Development Corporation
• Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation
• Alaska Teamsters
• First Things First Alaska Foundation
• Mat-Su Business Alliance
• Mat-Su Home Builders Association
• Southeast Conference
• Anchorage Tea Party
• ProsperityAlaska.org

Chambers of Commerce

A Vote No on 1 online ad titled, "Oil tax reform matters to Alaska's schools."

• Alaska Chamber
• Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
• Chugiak Eagle River Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce
• Juneau Chamber of Commerce
• Kenai Chamber of Commerce
• Seward Chamber of Commerce
• Soldotna Chamber of Commerce

Businesses

• Alaska Cruises, Inc.
• BP Exploration Alaska
• Bristol Bay Native Corporation
• Chevron
• ConocoPhillips
• Denali Drilling
• ExxonMobil
• Halliburton
• Nabors Alaska Drilling, Inc.
• Pioneer Natural Resources, USA
• Puget Sound Pipe & Supply Co.
• Repsol
• Samson Electric

Arguments

Keep Alaska Competitive - Vote No on 1 issued a frequently asked questions sheet that detailed responses to questions about the oil tax cuts. The following is an excerpt from that sheet:

“	Q: What is the goal of oil tax reform? A: Alaska runs on oil and the new oil tax reform legislation is designed to incentivize additional production. Oil funds 90 percent of the state’s general fund, but oil production is now lower than it was on the day in 1977 when the first oil flowed through the pipeline. Alaska has lost more than 200,000 barrels of oil/day under the flawed ACES tax regime, and the pipeline is operating at dangerously low levels. Q: Hasn’t Alaska benefited from high oil prices in recent years? A: Yes and no. While high oil prices have poured billions into the state treasury, they also disguised our plummeting production levels. Since ACES passed in 2007, North Slope production has fallen almost 31 percent. In contrast, New Mexico production increased 38 percent during the same period, Oklahoma 35 percent, Utah 46 percent and Texas a whopping 70 percent. Alaska was the only North American oil province to suffer declining production in 2011-2012 and now ranks behind Texas, North Dakota, California and Alberta in daily production... Q: How does a 35 percent tax on production compare with other oil and gas provinces? A: It falls in the high end of middle – but it’s important to remember that the production tax is only one of four taxes producers pay to the state. Producers also pay royalties – which typically vary between one-eighth and one-sixth of production – property tax and a corporate income tax. Producers also pay corporate income tax at the federal level. Q: Isn’t the new legislation a $2 billion giveway? A: Absolutely untrue. The new legislation is designed to earn the state more money over the long term by increasing production. But even if no new oil is produced – which is highly unlikely given the renewed activity on the North Slope – its fiscal impact varies from about $140 million at $100/barrel oil – today’s price – to a high of $815 million at $120/barrel oil. Q: Has oil tax reform produced any results? A: Yes, even though the new law does not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2014. Repsol, BP, ConocoPhillips and new entrant Caelus Energy have all responded with additional development plans, which will result in new production, new oppor tunity and new jobs for Alaska... Q: Isn’t the new oil tax responsible for the projected FY 2014 and FY 2015 deficits? A: Absolutely not. The deficits are a direct result of the state losing 200,000 barrels of oil every day under ACES. In fact, State of Alaska projects it will take in slightly more money under the new tax than it would have under ACES. Here’s why: Overall oil revenues are down due to bigger-than-expected production declines (caused by ACES), increased costs to produce and move the oil (partly caused by lower production), and significantly lower oil prices. The progressivity formula in ACES is very aggressive. It ramps up rapidly when oil prices rise and falls just as fast when oil prices decline – as they have in recent weeks. With the ACES base tax rate of 25 percent – compared to the new tax at 35 percent – the end result is a slightly higher FY 2014 tax rate under the new tax... Q: Doesn’t the state constitution require Alaska to get maximum benefit from our oil? A: Yes – for both current and future generations – and we’ve done very well. Of the $191 billion in oil revenues we’ve collected, we’ve managed to finance 90 percent of state government, stash $67 billion away in savings and pay Alaskans $21 billion in permanent fund dividends. We have another $87 billion worth of petroleum wealth in the ground, which can support Alaska’s economy for decades to come. But oil in the ground does us no good unless it’s produced and sold. That’s why it’s so important to keep Alaska competitive – for us and for our children.	”
—Keep Alaska Competitive - Vote No on 1

Campaign contributions

As of August 19, 2014, four campaign organizations had received an aggregate total of $14,221,602 in contributions.

A Vote No on 1 television ad.

PAC info:

PAC/Ballot measure group	Amount raised	Amount spent
Vote No on One	$12,785,724	$12,388,590
No One on One	$711,402	$764,736
Keep Alaska Competitive - Vote No on 1	$648,519	$585,853
We Are Alaska - No on One	$75,957	$32,398
Total	$14,221,602	$13,771,577

Disclaimer: According to campaign finance reports published by the state of Alaska, the group, No One on One spent more than it raised. This was possible because the group was able to accrue debt.

Top 6 contributors:

Donor	Amount
BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.	$3,625,408
ExxonMobil	$3,606,132
ConocoPhillips Alaska	$2,541,584
ConocoPhillips	$1,471,077
Repsol	$729,432
Chevron	$300,000

Reports and analyses

Goldsmith ISER report

Scott Goldsmith, professor emeritus of economics at University of Alaska Anchorage Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), published a study in May 2014. The study was funded by a grant from Northrim Bank, which sponsored ISER’s Investing for Alaska’s Future research initiative. Goldsmith's study examined the effect of SB 21 and the impact it would have to uphold versus repeal it. The following were Goldsmith's four main points:

“	About 4% of the $2.1 billion drop in the fall oil revenue forecast for 2014 is due to the new tax. Most of the decline can be traced to lower price and production assumptions—as well as higher cost assumptions—in the forecast, and the effects of those changes on the tax rate. The rest of the decline is a one-time drop, with oil producers claiming credits expiring with the old tax. Future revenues are very sensitive to oil prices and costs of production and are difficult to forecast. If current trends continue—if costs continue to rise faster than oil prices—the new tax could produce more revenue. But if conditions revert to those of past years, when production costs were lower, relative to oil prices, the old tax could produce more revenue. Among the factors contributing to rising production costs in recent years have been inflation in the price of inputs, maintenance of aging facilities, and development of marginal fields. The tax change, combined with a modest increase in new production, would produce higher revenues under a reasonable range of assumptions about oil prices and production costs. New investment would drive up tax deductible costs in the short run—reducing production taxes—but that loss would be more than offset in later years by additional production tax and royalty revenues from new production, even at a lower average tax rate. Investments that draw new outside money into the oil patch could create long-lasting jobs and increase consumer purchasing power. For example, $4 billion in new spending in the oil patch could add an average of 5,000 public and private sector jobs per year over 20 years, with more than $300 million of additional wages and salaries annually.	”
—Scott Goldsmith

Response by Liden Companies

Jim Jensen, chairman of Liden Companies, used Goldsmith's report to bolster the company's claim that the "$2 billion giveaway" was a myth in a June 2014 meeting at the Bethel Community Services Building.

Response by Rep. Les Gara

Rep. Les Gara (D-18) wrote an editorial widely published throughout the state in May 2014, in which he generally opposed SB 21, but also specifically addressed Goldsmith's report. Rep. Gara pointed out that the report, which was seen by some as refuting the need to repeal SB 21, "concedes SB 21 would have reduced Alaska revenue by more than $1 billion/year if it were in place at 2012 and 2013’s higher oil prices." Other supporters of the passage of Ballot Measure 1 were quick to point out this part of Goldsmith's report, as well.

MAPA vs. ACES

SB 21 (MAPA) vs. ACES

Much of the debate surrounding whether to repeal Senate Bill 21 came down to which tax system would be most beneficial to the state:

• More Alaska Production Act (MAPA), which is outlined in SB 21, or
• Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share (ACES), the former structure implemented in 2007.

Had Ballot Measure 1 been approved, the state would have switched back to the former tax system outlined under ACES. However, since it was defeated, the MAPA tax structure will stay in place. The following are explanations from media sources regarding the differences between the two systems:

• Eric Feige (R-6) wrote an editorial for the Frontiersman in which he compared and contrasted MAPA against ACES, arguing that MAPA is better for the state, due in part to fluctuating oil prices. His full analysis can be read here.

• Richard Mauer, a reporter for the Alaska Dispatch News, wrote an article discussing the ambiguity surrounding which tax system is ultimately more beneficial for Alaska, citing politicians' and economists' arguments for and against repealing SB 21. The full report can be read here.

• An article by the Associated Press (AP) reported that, if Ballot Measure 1 is approved and SB 21 is overturned, it may be challenging and expensive for Alaska to switch back to the ACES tax system within 30 days. It also detailed why former governor Sarah Palin is in favor of repealing SB 21. The full article can be read here.

• Sam Bishop, assistant managing editor of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, wrote an editorial for the paper in which he discusses an interview with Mike Pawlowski, the state Department of Revenue’s oil and gas development project manager. Based on information provided by Pawlowski, Bishop concludes MAPA would bring in $115 million more in fiscal 2015 than would ACES. The full report can be read here.

Media editorial positions

See also: Endorsements of Alaska ballot measures, 2014

Support

• The Juneau Empire said,

“	Voting “Yes” will have consequences. Some oil projects will be canceled in the short term. In the long term, Alaska will be better off by voting “Yes.” The Alaska Legislature will be charged with creating a new oil tax system that treats the state with the same care as industry. This is not a call to divorce Alaska from Big Oil: It is a call to try again. Unfortunately, Ballot Measure 1 is written as an all or nothing proposition. We wish we could take parts of both [MAPA and ACES], but that isn’t an option on Tuesday. It will be up to the legislature to do that.	”
—Juneau Empire

• The Frontiersman said,

“	We understand that some 90 percent of unrestricted general fund revenue comes from the oil industry. But that money is generated for bringing to market oil that we own under Alaska law. As the multi-millionaire owners of this resource, we should never approach industry with our hat in hand. To us, that’s how a “no” vote feels, a collective sigh and resignation that we cannot negotiate better terms for the production of this non-renewable resource. We do not believe that Senate Bill 21 meets the constitutional charge to responsible stewardship of resources. There is a better way. And we believe it starts with a yes vote.	”
—Frontiersman

Polls

See also: Polls, 2014 ballot measures

According to a report put out by Public Policy Polling, "The tightest race on the ballot this year in Alaska could be on the August primary ballot where voters will decide whether or not to repeal SB 21. This measure is tied at 42% yes and 42% no while 16% of the electorate is still undecided. The fate of this measure may rest on which party’s voters show up on Election Day. Democrats support the repeal 65/22 but Republicans oppose it by nearly the same margin, 63/23." The question asked of poll respondents read as follows:

“

On the August primary election ballot, there will be a veto referendum on Senate Bill 21, also known as the Oil and Gas Production Tax. If the election was today would you vote 'yes,' to repeal Senate Bill 21, or 'no,' to leave it in place?

”

Alaska Measure 1 (2014)
Poll	Support	Oppose	Undecided	Margin of error	Sample size
Public Policy Polling 7/31/2014 - 8/3/2014	42%	42%	16%	+/-3.8	673
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Alaska and Veto referendum

Senator Hollis French asks you to sign the Stop the Giveaway Petition - Repeal SB21.

In order to get the referendum on the August 2014 ballot, supporters were required to gather at least 30,169 valid signatures. The campaign had to obtain these signatures from at least 10 percent of the number of voters who participated in the prior general election, and signatures had to be gathered in 30 of the 40 House districts, with at least 7 percent of eligible voters in each district signing. The deadline for these signatures was July 13, 2013.

Supporters collected over 52,000 signatures - well above the number required - and surpassed their goal by more than 50 percent. Pat Lavin, one of the referendum effort's organizers, stated, "It's exceeded my expectations." Though support for the referendum was strong, a 2005 measure that sought to ban aerial wolf hunting still maintained the record for the highest number of signatures collected, at the time of the election. That measure, which was ultimately successful at the polls, garnered more than 55,000 signatures. On September 3, 2013, Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai officially certified the referendum, noting that supporters had met all signature requirements.

Legislative action

On March 20, 2013, the Senate passed SB 21 with a vote of 11-9. On April 13, 2013, the House passed the bill 24-15. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Parnell on May 21, 2013 and took effect on January 1, 2014.

Alaska Oil and Gas Production Tax, SB 21 Senate Vote
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		11	55%
No		9	45%

Alaska Oil and Gas Production Tax, SB 21 House Vote
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		24	62%
No		15	38%

See also

Suggest a link

• Alaska 2014 ballot measures
• 2014 ballot measures
• List of Alaska ballot measures
• Alaska Legislature
• Alaska state budget and finances

External links

Basic information

• Referendum Proposed Ballot Summary and Title
• More Alaska Production Act (MAP Act)
• Senate Bill No. 21

Support

• Stop the Giveaway - Vote Yes on Prop 1
• Stop the Giveaway - Vote Yes on Prop 1 Facebook
• Vote Yes - Repeal the Oil Giveaway
• Vote Yes - Repeal the Oil Giveaway Facebook
• Vote Yes! Repeal the Giveaway YouTube channel

Opposition

• Vote No on 1
• Vote No on 1 Facebook
• Keep Alaska Competitive - Vote No on 1
• Keep Alaska Competitive - Vote No on 1 Facebook
• Keep Alaska Competitive - Vote No on 1 Twitter
• We Are Alaska
• We Are Alaska Facebook
• We Are Alaska Twitter
• Vote No on One YouTube channel

Additional reading

• Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, "ExxonMobil updates chamber on Point Thomson, makes case against oil tax repeal," June 4, 2014
• Juneau Empire, "Native corps join to oppose SB21 repeal," May 29, 2014
• Juneau Empire, "My Turn: SB 21: A definite maybe," May 28, 2014
• Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, "Alaska should vote no on Measure 1," May 4, 2014
• Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, "SB 21 sleight-of-hand is becoming more evident," May 3, 2014