An article in the New York Times today discusses both the call by some in Alaska to dismantle two of Governor Palin’s energy related legislative victories and the claim by others that they are responsible for Governor Palin’s great fiscal record and Alaska’s strong fiscal health.
Current Alaska Governor Sean Parnell is seeking to make changes to Governor Palin’s oil tax structure–”Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share” (ACES) legislation. This legislation replaced Governor Murkowski’s corruption-tainted oil tax plan. Governor Palin’s plan primarily taxed oil company’s net profits on production, and its flexibility based upon oil prices and its tax credits encouraged greater capital development and investment than Murkowski’s tax structure. Moreover, Governor Palin signed ACES into law in order to make the oil tax structure more in line with the state constitution which stated that natural resources (i.e. oil) belong to the people and need to be developed for the maximum benefit of Alaskans.
While Governor Parnell has stood with Governor Palin on AGIA (the natural gas pipeline), in rejecting federal earmarks, and in opposing Obamacare, he is among those who have called for reforming Governor Palin’s ACES legislation:
Gov. Sean Parnell, Ms. Palin’s fellow Republican and former lieutenant, has announced that it is his top priority to undo parts of major oil tax increases that Ms. Palin made law. He argues that high state taxes, not just federal regulations, are preventing oil companies from exploring new drilling in Alaska and therefore jeopardizing future state revenues.
“Lower taxes means more competitive,” Mr. Parnell said last week. “It means more jobs.”
The reality doesn’t match up to the Governor Parnell’s claims. The number of oil companies filing with the Alaska Department of Revenue has doubled indicating that competition has indeed increased. Alaska has the second most business friendly tax set-up — up two spots since the passage of ACES. Additionally, a report from Governor Parnell’s Department of Revenue indicated that 2009 yielded a record high in oil jobs. Even more recently, the newest employment numbers from Alaska show that oil job numbers were higher in January 2011 than in January 2010, indicating that jobs are growing at the seasonal level. Parnell argues that state revenues are in jeopardy, but it is estimated that his proposal would reduce revenues by $100-200 million. Governor Parnell is right on other issues, but the numbers tell a different story than he asserts when it comes to ACES.
The New York Times actually conceded that Governor Palin’s ACES contributed to Alaska’s surplus and strong fiscal health. However, some Alaskan legislators are trying to to laughably claim otherwise:
Compared with many states, Alaska is in fine shape in the short run. It is sitting on a $12 billion revenue surplus, a sum driven directly by the high price of oil. Taxes on oil production provide nearly 90 percent of state revenue. Some of the surplus comes from the increased tax on oil production, tied to the price of oil, that Ms. Palin supported in 2007. But not everyone is willing to give her credit for helping to create a nest egg for Alaska.
“We’re probably the most fiscally sound state in the union,” said Bert Stedman, a Republican who is co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and one of the Legislature’s most influential members. “I’d say she had little to nothing to do with it.”
[...]
Mr. Stedman, meanwhile, said the state was in good shape in part because lawmakers in both parties – armed with the surplus – pushed through major spending projects that have limited the recession’s impact.
Let’s take a look at Senator Stedman’s voting record, shall we? Stedman voted “No” on ACES, which did contribute to Alaska’s $12 billion surplus. However, Stedman did vote “Yes” on Governor Murkowski’s corruption-tainted oil tax plan. Stedman also voted to override Governor Palin’s veto of stimulus funding in 2009.
Also, as a part of the both the Senate Finance and Legislative Budget and Audit committees since 2005, Stedman helped craft and voted for every operating and capital budget proposal brought before the state Senate. Governor Palin vetoed hundreds of millions of dollars from the FY2008 capital budget alone, and in full made the largest veto cuts in the state’s history. Additionally, Governor Palin cut the state budget by 9.5% during her time as Governor compared to Governor Murkowski, indicating that Governor Palin’s fiscal restraint, not legislative spending, was the cause of Alaska’s fiscal strength. It’s quite obvious that Governor Palin’s record shows far greater fiscal responsibility than Senator Stedman’s, and Governor Palin can rightly take far more credit for Alaska’s fiscal health than Senator Stedman.
The New York Times also questions the progress of Governor Palin’s natural gas pipeline project–the Alaska’s Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA)–which will bring natural gas from the North Slope of Alaska through Canada to the Lower 48 as an additional means of achieving energy independence. Governor Palin’s pipeline project was done in a transparent free-market friendly manner with proposals available for public consumption-- a far cry from the behind-closed-doors pipeline discussion with oil companies that were commonplace and unsuccessful in previous administrations. The New York Times argues that neither gas suppliers nor federal permits had been obtained for the project.
However, at the end of the first open season for bidding by gas suppliers this past summer, there were “several major players” who had submitted bids. Additionally, the pipeline company TransCanada and oil company ExxonMobil, both partners on AGIA-backed pipeline project, have had discussions with BP-ConocoPhilips to work together on the project. Additionally, the permitting process with both American and Canadian regulatory agencies has made “significant progress,” and the progress is right on track with time projections.
Despite what the media and Governor Palin’s detractors say, her record has been effective and fiscally sound. It’s ironic that the New York Times’s attempt at journalism in highlighting misrepresentations of Governor Palin’s record comes shortly after they announced that they will be charging for access to their site due to shrinking readership. So, while they generate faux concern for Governor Palin’s fiscal legacy, they should probably be more concerned with their own.
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Let's all hope that we don't end up with Governor Palin as our next POTUS as we all love paying for the spending of the Washington Insiders, or at least we had better love that because we'll be paying for it for a very very long time. ;o)
"Pad my pockets" politicians.
What world do these people live in? This is from the very next paragraph:
The number of oil companies filing with the Alaska Department of Revenue has doubled ... 2009 yielded a record high in oil jobs.... oil job numbers were higher in January 2011 than in January 2010....
So it appears that reality does indeed match up with Parnell's claims.
Gov. Sean Parnell, Ms. Palin’s fellow Republican and former lieutenant, has announced that it is his top priority to undo parts of major oil tax increases that Ms. Palin made law. He argues that high state taxes, not just federal regulations, are preventing oil companies from exploring new drilling in Alaska and therefore jeopardizing future state revenues.
“Lower taxes means more competitive,” Mr. Parnell said last week. “It means more jobs.”
The reality doesn’t match up to the Governor Parnell’s claims. The number of oil companies filing with the Alaska Department of Revenue has doubled indicating that competition has indeed increased.
It is most apparent that MORE oil companies wish to work in Alaska WITHOUT Parnell's attempt to CHANGE the current law that gives money DIRECTLY to Alaskans. You can bet that Parnell really wants to pocket that money for the Government instead of allowing the people of Alaska get it. ;o)
Let's get right down to business. PLEASE give me a list of Ron Paul's accomplishments, and leave out his books as I don't believe that any of those ever made it to the top ten lists.
My thanks to you ahead of time for your effort[s]. ;o)
Second he is the only member of congress that grasps the concept of rational and logical thinking. He is the only member of congress that returns un-spent money EVERY YEAR.
Third he has clearly an expertise in economics that is hard to deny. He identified the problems at the root of our monetary system. Ron Paul has spelled out what his plan is to fix our economy. It makes sense totally!
We are a foolish nation, not to give this great leader the chance to repair our country. He has passion and political insight that is matched by no one.
ac·com·plish·ment /əˈkɒmplɪʃmənt/ [uh-kom-plish-muhnt]
–noun
1. an act or instance of carrying into effect; fulfillment: the accomplishment of our desires.
2. something done admirably or creditably: Space exploration is a major accomplishment of science.
3. anything accomplished; deed; achievement: a career measured in a series of small accomplishments.
http://dictionary.reference.c...
A word to describe an individual who has shown themselves to be very brainless in one way or another, thus comparing them to the cleansing product for vagina's.
Ron Paul Accomplishments
He put himself through college He graduated from Gettysburg College and the Duke University School of Medicine, and became a Medical Doctor OB GYN
Served in the USAF proudly serving as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the 1960s
Played for a Major League Baseball team "Houston Astros" And was GOOD!
Was elected to congress, 5 times.
Has the most conservative voting record in congress, never voted to raise taxes.
He was the Libertarian Party candidate for U.S. president in 1988
He has been a faithful husband to the same woman for over 50 years. He and his wife Carol moved to Texas in 1968, where he began his medical practice in Brazoria County.
As a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, Dr. Paul has delivered more than 4,000 babies
He and Carol, who reside in Lake Jackson, Texas, are the proud parents of five children and have 18 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He has exposed the biggest ponzi scheme in history, the Federal Reserve Bank and introduced the Audit the Fed legislation.
Ronald Paul sits on the following committees: Member, Hous...
A word to describe an individual who has shown themselves to be very brainless in one way or another, thus comparing them to the cleansing product for vagina's.
Ron Paul Accomplishments
He put himself through college He graduated from Gettysburg College and the Duke University School of Medicine, and became a Medical Doctor OB GYN
Served in the USAF proudly serving as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the 1960s
Played for a Major League Baseball team "Houston Astros" And was GOOD!
Was elected to congress, 5 times.
Has the most conservative voting record in congress, never voted to raise taxes.
He was the Libertarian Party candidate for U.S. president in 1988
He has been a faithful husband to the same woman for over 50 years. He and his wife Carol moved to Texas in 1968, where he began his medical practice in Brazoria County.
As a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, Dr. Paul has delivered more than 4,000 babies
He and Carol, who reside in Lake Jackson, Texas, are the proud parents of five children and have 18 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He has exposed the biggest ponzi scheme in history, the Federal Reserve Bank and introduced the Audit the Fed legislation.
Ronald Paul sits on the following committees: Member, House Committee on Financial Services Member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Ron Paul started the “tea party” movement. Dr. Paul founded the Campaign for Liberty to help continue the pro-liberty movement his candidacy inspired.
1975-1976
U.S. Representative Texas’s 22nd
(was preceded by Robert Casey)
1979-1984
U.S. Representative Texas’s 22nd
(was preceded by Robert Gammage)
1997-2012
U.S. Representative Texas’s 14th
(was preceded by Gregory Laughlin)
Raised more money than any candidate in history $ 2 Million in one day in 2008
Is the only member of congress that returns his excess money, from his district, back to the government
Ron Paul has written several books including “The Revolution: A Manifesto' that went to No.1 on the amazon.com bestseller list.
What has he done that HAS assisted We The People? ;o)
There is a reason why Ron Paul won ZERO states in the last election cycle. UNTIL you can recognize what the rest of the electorate recognizes you and Ron will remain irrelevant. ;o)
In other words, go play with yourself. /sarc
Was Sarah Palin a good pick for VP
You might not agree but here goes:
1. Well she's the only one who has signed a bill into law
2. She's the only one to veto a bill
3. One of only two that have not only taken on the opposing party but their own and the bosses as well. McCain is the other
4. The only one to approve a budget other than the family one, which the other three don't need to worry about anymore (All very rich). She won't if elected either, bet her house is just a cottage compared to everyone else's.
5. She seems to go after the people that don't follow ethical rules, while Obama surrounds himself with that type
6. Sure she doesn't have military experience, but I think if McCain goes he'll leave a really good secretary of defense, Sec of Treasury etc.
7. She's too inexperienced to know that you have to play by the rules, and McCain and Leiberman are the only two in the senate that don't bend and sway with the platform du jour and bow to the party line.
8. I can pretty much guarantee that McCain will also, if he hasn't already, tell her who she'll be able to trust, like Guiliani who really is the most qualified of everyone that ran. Except I liked several others more because of their beliefs.
...
Was Sarah Palin a good pick for VP
You might not agree but here goes:
1. Well she's the only one who has signed a bill into law
2. She's the only one to veto a bill
3. One of only two that have not only taken on the opposing party but their own and the bosses as well. McCain is the other
4. The only one to approve a budget other than the family one, which the other three don't need to worry about anymore (All very rich). She won't if elected either, bet her house is just a cottage compared to everyone else's.
5. She seems to go after the people that don't follow ethical rules, while Obama surrounds himself with that type
6. Sure she doesn't have military experience, but I think if McCain goes he'll leave a really good secretary of defense, Sec of Treasury etc.
7. She's too inexperienced to know that you have to play by the rules, and McCain and Leiberman are the only two in the senate that don't bend and sway with the platform du jour and bow to the party line.
8. I can pretty much guarantee that McCain will also, if he hasn't already, tell her who she'll be able to trust, like Guiliani who really is the most qualified of everyone that ran. Except I liked several others more because of their beliefs.
9. She raised taxes on the Oil Companies because they weren't paying anything near what they should because of the good old boys that ran her party which she threw all in jail.
10. She got a $30B pipeline thru her legislature and they have spent the last 30 years arguing over that very pipeline. Her reasoning was that if the Big three oil companies built their own, then they could squeeze any other company out of the bidding for the oil/gas. But if the state owned it they could insure a level playing field. Good economics and good logic.
11. When confronted with a big surplus she told the legislature she would NOT approve any additional and unnecessary spending and gave the money to the people of the state. I don't know a single California politician that would do that.
There is a huge difference between Legislating and leading. I would rather go with a Governor like Reagan any day over a senator like Biden. I think Guiliani said it right when he said, sure Biden brings 30 years of foreign policy experience to the ticket, but it was mostly wrong.
Obama says he is the one for change, but it is change back to a more Socialist system that gives people no reason to "Excel", which we already tried and found wanting. Biden is perfect because he's done and tried to deliver the same thing for 30 years, that's no change. Remember the 70's with high taxes, high inflation and wasteful welfare? McCain has fought everyone at one time or another over pork, wasteful spending and the such. Palin is definitely cut from that cloth. To me THAT alone would be a really good change in the right direction. Clinton said it best, If you have candidate X that believes everything you do but doesn't get anything done and candidate Y that believes some of what you believe and can get things done, who do you vote for? For me there is no X.
Obama has 2 years experience in the Senate and has spent most of it running for President and thanks his god that he got there literally uncontested. Or so he says in his book.
Awesome orator, shallow promises. What he preaches (yes preaches) to his followers, is not the person and the things he has actually lived during his life. To top it off, when he needs guidance he'll go to the people he trusts. Ayers, Wright, et al. That provides me with a whole bunch of comfort, Mexico or Canada might be better.
Here is an interview CNBC did w/ Palin on Tuesday in Alaska for airing Friday. She is well spoken, articulate and makes alot of sense.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/158402...
For me I'm centrist, practical and realistic and I believe the market knows best, not a bunch of lawyers that create problems. Only so that they can then come to our rescue to save us with even bigger ones.
Look at ethanol. We starve people here and abroad by forcing the price of grains way up, so we can feel good about ourselves when we drive our cars...........
That's why foreigners really don't like us. We're selfish. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Some of the best presidents don't have high IQ's but relied on common sense instead and good advisors. Trust me Palin will have good advisors.
I think every congressman and senator should have at least one year of accounting, finance and economics, then they might actually think about what affect their laws will do to the economy and markets. Those are not required to get a law degree.
If I ran for office I know that they would NOT like me. If I somehow became President, I'd need to triple maybe quintuple the secret service, because I probably wouldn't last the first week. I would veto every bill that came across my desk, whether good or bad and I'd tell everyone which I thought it was, with any attachments that had nothing to do with the actual bill. If they wanted to put all the pork into one appropriation bill, I'd look at it that way. I might send it back and tell them I'll agree to a set amount and let them fight over it.
I've been asked for my opinion from several of my customers so I figured I'd send it to you as well.
I don't think Todd even had any idea what he got into, when he married his High school sweetheart. It is kind of ironic that he's a union man, might even get some union guys and gals to look at McCain too.
Steve
"7. She's too inexperienced to know that you have to play by the rules,"
When those rules are designed to keep corrupt-o-crats, big corporations, and America's enemies in power I hope more will go ahead and break those rules. Reagan most certainly did so and on more than one occasion.
"That's why foreigners really don't like us. We're selfish. Stupid, stupid, stupid."
Selfish enough to send in our military so people in disasters in foreign countries are able to get the supplies they desperately need, not to mention all of the financial aid we send to so many countries today? We are so selfish that we base our people in lands where the threat of war from their enemies remains strong? Remember the World Wars? Care to name any country where more people of different cultures are accepted, and even get the chance to become citizens?
We are so selfish and stupid that lines of people wishing to be a part of America remain long.
Over all I am very impressed with your far sightedness, but I'll never fall for the liberal claptrap that we Americans are selfish. ;o)
Our ethanol, is a selfish use of resources that adversely affects the poor around the world. And yes, she was too inexperienced to know how to play, by those same rules I don't like!!!!!
Remember my plan for Sarah Palin's POTUS run? Well, it appears that someone was listening ...
Next E! True Hollywood Story subject: Sarah Palin?
UN-FRIGGIN-BLOODY-BELIEVABLE! This should cause the 0bamaGanda media and the GOP elitists to have massive coronaries. LOL!
You are the target.
I only worry that the 0bama Regime will get them to pull it before it sees the light of day. ;o)
What has Ron Paul EVER ACCOMPLISHED for We The People? ;o)
If you research our past great American presidents, you'll find that they listened to, and relied on their wives ideas and opinions. Many women were involved with our Declaration of Independence, and the creation of our Constitution. But they were behind the scenes. The only way anyone could know about the help they gave their husbands, would be to read the personal letters written between the past presidents, and their wives. Men may still be considered more powerful than women are today, but when will that deception stop. Sarah is a momma grizzly, and America is her home, and the American people are her family. You don't get between a mother and her family or home. She will die to protect them.
On a humorous side, how often do men think about SEX? How often do women think about SEX? How many men in politics get caught involved in sex scandals? ...
If you research our past great American presidents, you'll find that they listened to, and relied on their wives ideas and opinions. Many women were involved with our Declaration of Independence, and the creation of our Constitution. But they were behind the scenes. The only way anyone could know about the help they gave their husbands, would be to read the personal letters written between the past presidents, and their wives. Men may still be considered more powerful than women are today, but when will that deception stop. Sarah is a momma grizzly, and America is her home, and the American people are her family. You don't get between a mother and her family or home. She will die to protect them.
On a humorous side, how often do men think about SEX? How often do women think about SEX? How many men in politics get caught involved in sex scandals? How many just never have been caught? How many women in politics get caught in sex scandals? Think about that for a minute, then think about how much valuable time is lost when politicians spend their time (that we pay for) thinking or acting on their little sexual tirades. Does Bill Clinton come to anyone's mind? Just how much time that we (the American Tax Payers) pay for, did Billy Boy spend with or thinking about Monica,Gennifer,Paula (the women that came forward), and how ever many more there were that stayed in the shadows. How about JFK's little rendezvous(s) with Marilyn Monroe? In addition, Edwards, Sanford and I'm sure there are many more. We've had our Founding Fathers, it's now time for a RE-FOUNDING MOTHER, and some TOUGH LOVE!
Hang in there Sarah! America needs you!
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Sarah ran with a purpose, and she succeeded where others before her had failed miserably. I respect that.
Were you aware of her accomplishments mentioned in the article before reading them here? ;o)
Were you aware of her accomplishments written about in the article before you read those here? ;o)