Parnell Wants to Cut Cruise Ship Tax

Governor Sean Parnell is proposing a state tax on cruise ship passengers be cut to help an industry that says the cost of doing business in Alaska is too high. Governor Sean Parnell is proposing a cut to the state tax on cruise ship passengers to help an industry that says the cost of doing business in Alaska is too high. During a speech in Anchorage today, Parnell said he wants to cut the $46 dollar head tax for cruise ship passengers to $34.50. He says he'll also seek offsets for passenger taxes paid in some ports. Parnell says he'll ask lawmakers to tack the tax reduction proposal to a tourism marketing bill. That measure has so far garnered little traction in the Legislature, which is currently set to end its session next month.The proposal follows Parnell's trip to a cruise industry convention in Florida.The Associated PressDownload Audio (MP3)