HELLO - IS ANYONE LISTENING?

I certainly understand why the oil producers want a 30 and a 45 year gas tax lock-in on taxes they may be required to pay to Alaska. It’s for fiscal certainty. Who can blame them for wanting their taxes locked in? Afterall, I imagine everyone of us with an IQ above a clam would likewise like fiscal certainty in our own their personal finances, including future taxes - but that's unlikely. And what about the State of Alaska? Couldn't the state also use some fiscal certainty?

The bottom line is, whether the 30 and 45 year lock in is, or is not, a good thing probably doesn’t make much difference. I may be wrong, but regardless of whatever merits there may be to the lock-in proposal, I doubt the 21 votes in the House and 11 votes in the Senate are there to make it happen. "Wants" don't always yield results. My grandmother told me that.

A couple of representatives from one of the oil producers were in my office yesterday, and I told them the same thing. One of them looked up astounded and exclaimed, “Well, if we don't get the "lock in," we'll have to go back into negotiations again.” To which I relied, “YES.” Hello! Is anyone listening?