(Anchorage) - Representative Bob Lynn (R-Anchorage) has asked that if Governor Frank Murkowski calls a special session to review a gas pipeline contract, that he include on the agenda, suspension of state taxes for highway, marine and aviation gasoline so long as the price of Alaska oil remains above $50 a barrel for an appropriate period of time.

"Alaska should set the example for the rest of the country," said Representative Lynn. "Service stations shouldn't gouge customers with unnecessarily high prices - and likewise, the state shouldn't gouge citizens with unnecessary taxes."

The text of the letter, hand-delivered to the governor's office follows:

Dear Governor Murkowski:

Your assistance is respectfully requested. The price of highway, marine and aviation gasoline has skyrocketed due to a number of factors, including loss of production from the recent hurricane caused disaster on the Gulf Coast. Consumers are being hurt every time they fill their fuel tanks. Both Alaskan families and businesses are being severely impacted.

As you know, the price of Alaska oil has climbed to all time highs, currently about $70 a barrel. As a "rule of thumb" for every $1.00 the price of a barrel of oil goes up, Alaska reaps "roughly" $65 million in added state revenue.

Because of this added revenue, during the last legislative session, we were able to fund many worthwhile projects and programs with your approval. Now, with the price of oil so high and the resultant impact to families and businesses so severe, it's time for our state to offer some tax relief to Mr. and Mrs. Alaska. Fuel taxes imposed on Alaskans aren't needed when our state is awash in unexpected and unparalleled income from the current high price of oil.

Therefore I request that, when you call the special legislative session for consideration of a gas pipeline contract, you include in your agenda suspension of state taxes on highway, marine and aviation gasoline for so long as the price of a barrel of Alaska oil remains above $50 a barrel for an appropriate period of time.

Respectfully,
Bob Lynn

cc:  Governor Murkowski
      Alaska Legislative Colleagues
      Media

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