Ballot Measure 1 is a citizen’s initiative. It is on the ballot because Alaskans were willing to put their names on a public petition. Some voices are saying laws should always be created by a “deliberative body,” like the Alaska Legislature. The history of our current oil tax law, written in 2014 as Senate Bill 21, casts doubt on that assumption.<\/p>\n
Senate Bill 21 was initiated by request of a governor whose prior employment had been as “director of governmental relations” for Phillips Petroleum. It then passed the state Senate by a single vote. Among the winning votes cast, two were by senators whose employer was Conoco-Phillips. A third was cast by a member whose spouse contracted with oil companies.<\/p>\n
The two oil company employees requested to be excused from voting, as should be expected given their overwhelming personal interest. But in the Senate, that is a gesture, and nothing more. In that deliberative body, if even one person objects to your decision not to vote, you must vote. Everyone voted.<\/p>\n
Governor Parnell’s automatic signature made Senate Bill 21 a law. It would never have reached his desk had those members in the Senate with a personal interest not been allowed a vote.<\/p>\n
If Ballot Measure 1 becomes a law, we should expect some immediate polishing by the Alaska Legislature. However, any amendments to the public initiative may not be so radical that they are ruled a repeal by the State Supreme Court.<\/p>\n