Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the State of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Eric Forrer, left, and Joe Geldhof, right, have sued the State of Alaska in an attempt to stop a plan that calls for borrowing up to $1 billion from global bond markets to pay oil and gas tax credits owed by the state. They are pictured May 22, 2018 in an interview at the Juneau Empire. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Judge sets date in case of billion-dollar oil lawsuit

Oral arguments will take place Oct. 1 in Dimond Courthouse

Sitka Superior Court Judge Jude Pate has set a date for arguments in a lawsuit that has billion-dollar implications for the state of Alaska.

On Oct. 1 in a Juneau courtroom, Pate will hear oral debates about the constitutionality of a proposal that would allow the state to borrow as much as a billion dollars to pay oil and gas tax credits owed to companies that have performed work on the North Slope.

The Legislature has approved the plan, as has Gov. Bill Walker, but one Juneau man stands in its way. Eric Forrer, a former member of the University of Alaska Board of Regents, has filed suit with the help of Juneau attorney Joe Geldhof, arguing that the state’s proposal violates constitutional limits on borrowing.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The state has moved to dismiss Forrer’s lawsuit and strike it. State attorneys have argued that the plan is legal and that overturning it could endanger programs funded by similar means.

The Oct. 1 hearing is a significant early step in what is expected to be a lengthy legal battle that ends in front of the Alaska Supreme Court.


• Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.


More in Home

U.S. Sen. Dan. Sullivan (R-Alaska) walks through a hallway of protesters with his wife, Julie Fate Sullivan, before his annual address to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Sullivan generates warmth and heat with energy filled speech to Alaska Legislature

Senator takes barrage of friendly and confrontational questions from lawmakers about Trump’s agenda.

Sitka junior Trey Johnson (24) challenges a shot by Mt. Edgecumbe senior Richard Didrickson Jr (21) during the Wolves’ 64-62 semifinal win over the Braves on Thursday in the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 3A/4A Basketball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Wolves tip Braves in epic state semifinal hoops battle

Number two Sitka, number three Mt. Edgecumbe go down to the buzzer

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis near Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Storis icebreaker expected to make ceremonial visit to Juneau this summer, officials say

Coast Guard icebreaker set to be homeported locally will still need further upgrades for deployment.

Research biologists pause among the wetlands of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain, with the Brooks Range in the background. The Trump administration is taking steps to offer the entire coastal plain for oil and gas leasing, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Thursday. (Lisa Hupp/USFWS)
Interior secretary announces plans to advance new Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil leasing

Follow-ups to Trump executive orders will mean leasing across ANWR, wider NPR development.

Hoonah’s Melissa Fisher and Taryn White (24) challenge a shot by Angoon’s Tasha McCoy during their elimination game in the 2015 Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Gold Medal returns with hearty schedules

New division is expected to draw some new fans

The Columbia state ferry docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on March 4. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
Alaska Marine Highway’s long-range plan met with skepticism and concerns

Residents decry loss of service, Murkowski says “once-in-a-generation” funding opportunity in peril.

Sara Kveum speaks to the crowd rallying in front of the Alaska State Capitol, alongside Nikki Bass, both members of the Key Coalition of Alaska advocating for disability rights on March 19, 2025 (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
‘We are done waiting!’ Advocates and supporters of Alaskans with disabilities rally at the Capitol

Participants focus on Medicaid, eliminating waitlists for support services, infant learning programs.

Salmon dries on a traditional rack on the beach in the Seward Peninsula village of Teller on Sept. 2, 2021. Salmon is a dietary staple for Indigenous residents of Western Alaska, and poor runs have created hardship. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Bill would change the makeup of the Alaska Board of Fisheries

Would require commercial, sport and subsistence members, along with one representing scientists.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gwen Nizich scores form past the arc over Bartlett senior Kaylee Lealaisalanoa (15) during the Crimson Bears’ 49-44 win over the Golden Bears on Wednesday at the 2025 ASAA March Madness Alaska 4A Basketball State Championships at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS girls defeat pesky Bartlett 49-44 to open state tourney

Crimson Bears defeat higher-seed Golden Bears in full-court action.

Most Read