The Alaska State Senate on Friday unanimously passed a Sense of the Senate, which aims to provide energy relief at the gas pump. The Sense of the Senate, sponsored by Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson and co-sponsored by all other present senators, promotes a commitment to Alaskans to work together with the House of Representatives and the Governor to temporarily suspend the Alaska motor fuels tax.
Sen. Gray-Jackson said:
“Right now, too many Alaskans are worried about how they’re going to put food on the table for their families. Just as we turned the corner from the latest COVID variant, we’ve been hit with rolling challenges, supply chain disruptions, the highest monthly rise of inflation in the past 40 years, and now a global energy crisis caused by Vladimir Putin and his assault on democracy through the invasion of Ukraine. While we are proud to do our part as Americans to support the people of Ukraine, and I’m proud of the steps that our federal government is taking through sanctions and the banning of the import of Russian oil and gas, but these actions have an effect on Alaskans and their everyday lives.”
Sen. Gray-Jackson said that gasoline has risen over a dollar at the pump in recent weeks:
“We don’t know how long this crisis is going to last, and if it will get worse, but what we know is that the state of Alaska can, and should, do more to help Alaskans amid this time of economic hardship and uncertainty. Now is the time to come together to do everything that we can to help put money in the pockets of Alaskans.”
Senate President Peter Micciche said:
“I appreciate Senator Gray-Jackson’s leadership and every other senator coming together today in this commitment to Alaskans. We recognize that our constituents need relief right now to assist with dramatically increasing energy costs. We were unanimously united this week supporting Ukraine and pushing back on Russian aggression. We were unanimously united on the push for U.S. energy security, and Alaska’s role in providing energy resources of all kinds. Today we demonstrated our unanimous teamwork in supporting Alaskans on reducing energy costs during these difficult times.”
The Senate adopted the Sense of the Senate unanimously.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.
