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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated

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To: KLP who wrote (259110)7/25/2008 1:33:33 AM
From: Snowshoe  Read Replies (2) of 793801
 
Sarah Palin governs Alaska with a coalition of Democrats and minority Republicans...

Special session ends with 25% oil tax
VICTORY FOR PALIN: State's take is expected to increase more than $1 billion from previous deal.


By SEAN COCKERHAM
Last Modified: November 27, 2007 at 03:18 AM

JUNEAU -- The state Legislature approved a tax increase of more than a billion dollars on oil companies Friday as the 30-day special session ended.

It was a major victory for Gov. Sarah Palin, who wanted the tax increase and called the Legislature into special session to make it happen. She heaped praise on legislators for hard work, saying the bill strikes a good balance.

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DEMOCRATS STEP FORWARD

Palin's high public-approval ratings clearly helped get the tax through the Legislature. Many lawmakers are reluctant to pick a fight with such a popular governor.

The oil tax bill was in trouble earlier this week with time running out and opposition from Republican leaders in the Senate majority. Palin said then that she would call the Legislature into another special session if an acceptable oil tax bill didn't pass.

Palin said Friday it was not a threat, but a "reminder."

House speaker Harris said he believes it did help the tax bill regain momentum.

But maybe more significant was the emergence of Senate Democrats as an important force in the Legislature. For years the Democrats languished without power in the minority, but they are now part of a bipartisan majority coalition.

The Democrats flexed those muscles effectively during the oil tax debate.

The tax bill picked up speed in midweek as they aligned with Senate minority Republicans who wanted higher oil taxes.


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