By BECKY BOHRER
Associated Press
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JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Bill Walker broke his tax proposals apart again after legislators pushed back on his decision to bundle them together for the special session.
Walker on Friday introduced four separate bills in the House, relating to tax increases on motor fuels and the fishing and mining industries and reinstituting a personal income tax. Similar bills were not introduced in the Senate.
Walker spokeswoman Grace Jang said the House had requested separate bills and the Senate had not.
During the regular session, Walker introduced his tax proposals as separate bills. But some legislators expressed reluctance to move forward with an increase on one group not knowing if other taxes would pass.
The administration rolled all of the tax pieces together for the special session that began Monday, but some saw that as problematic since a legislator might like certain pieces but not others.
The remaining pieces of Walker’s tax package relate to tax increases on cigarettes and booze and address applicability of the marijuana tax. Jang said she expected those to stay in play.
Jang said the approach taken Friday should make it easier for legislators to move the pieces they have agreement on and want.
