Friends and Neighbors,

It was just over two years ago when the Legislature passed House Bill 2001, known as Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share (ACES).  This was a major shift for Alaska – with ACES we began to put Alaskans FIRST. 

Today we are experiencing pushback from big oil and some legislators who believe we need to rollback ACES.  The oil industry has launched an ad-campaign that would have you believe that ACES is destroying the industry in Alaska and causing hundreds of layoffs.  Unfortunately for the industry, the numbers tell a different story. 

Here are the facts:

• JOBS ARE UP – 2009 is forecast to show the highest employment in the oil and gas industry in state history. 
• INVESTMENT IS UP – Capital investment in oil and gas exploration has more than doubled from roughly $1 billion in 2004 to over $2 billion this past year. 
• BIG OIL IS STILL MAKING BILLIONS – Conoco’s 2009 Alaska profits were roughly $1.5 billion.  Only 14% of its exploration and production costs were in Alaska, but 43% of its worldwide profits came from Alaska.  Since the passage of ACES Conoco has reported $6 billion in Alaska profits. 
• ROLLING BACK ACES GETS US NOTHING – Repealing ACES will give the oil industry a big tax break and not a single job is created and not a single dollar of investment gets made in Alaska. 

I’m not opposed to a debate on Alaska’s oil and gas tax structure; Alaskans deserve a thorough discussion based on the facts.  What I am opposed to is a debate consisting of biased and dishonest advertising without any accountability. We don’t have the kind of resources to compete with big oil so please stay informed, make sure your friends are informed, and help spread the word. 

For more information, please check out the ACES Status Report.

Don’t give up if your claim is denied

Today I read a great article in the New York Times and I wanted to share it with you.  It profiles the experience of a woman named Maria Carr who underwent surgery last year to remove a bone spur on her hip.  To her surprise her insurer refused to pay for the $21,225 bill.  When she told her doctor about the denial she was shocked to find out that he performed the exact same procedure on eight other patients who used the same insurer without any problems.  Maria decided to fight the denial and after multiple appeals the insurer relented and covered the surgery.  

Moral of the story:  DON’T GIVE UP!  Approximately 1 in 14 claims are denied the first time and half of all appeals are successful.  This is an informative and inspiring story that will give you the information you need to fight a denial and I encourage you to read it. 

Thank you for reading and please feel free to call my office and share your ideas.