A Citizen’s Guide

First: Hey! After dropping $3.45 on Tuesday, the price of Alaska North Slope crude jumped $2.92 on Wednesday to end the day at $92.59.

Then: Hey, Hey! The Senate Finance Committee passed a version of the tax bill last night, and the whole Senate should vote on a final bill today. But all’s not well in Juneau. The question of the day: With less than 39 hours remaining in the special sessions, do the Senate and House both have time to finish up? Probably yes if the Senate doesn’t make any major changes, and probably no if they do.

The Senate Finance bill does not include a House measure to limit operating cost deductions on Prudhoe and Kuparuk. It also doesn’t include the House measure to cap taxes on in-state gas, which would help out Doyon and Fairbanks Natural Gas.

And Finally: Why are we here again?