The Alaska House Finance Committee has begun holding hearings on a series of tax increases proposed by Gov. Bill Walker.
On Tuesday, the committee heard a proposed increase in the state’s fisheries tax; on Wednesday, the committee is expected to consider an increase in the state mining tax.
Both meetings will be the first time these tax increases are being heard in the finance committee, the last stop in the House before a bill reaches a floor vote.
Monday’s hearing in the Bill Ray Center — the Legislature’s temporary home — was devoted to a presentation by the Alaska Department of Revenue and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Lawmakers (mostly from non-coastal districts) spent much of their time asking questions about details of the fishing industry and how taxes are applied to it.
Further hearings are anticipated, said Rep. Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks and co-chairman of the committee.
