Governor May Call Special Session

Governor Sean Parnell says he will call Alaska lawmakers into special session if the Senate passes an oil tax bill by Sunday. The Session is under a statutory deadline to adjourn by that day, but with a key piece of legislation still pending in the Senate, Parnell says he wants to make sure the House has time to evaluate the version that emerges.

The Governor this morning met with House and Senate leadership teams to discuss several end-of-session items — among them, changes to the oil tax regime that has been a point of contention since the beginning of last year’s session.  The Senate Finance Committee this evening approved a plan that is expected on the Senate floor tomorrow.

Parnell told lawmakers he will put other items on a call for a special session if needed.  Besides final action on the operating and capital projects budgets,  he mentioned an in-state gas pipeline bill and full funding for his performance funding scholarship program.