RDC Testimony:
SB284-Campaign Expenditures

March 23, 2010

Testimony delivered by Jason Brune, RDC Executive Director

Thank you Chairman Stedman, Chairman Hoffman, and Members of the Committee. For the record, my name is Jason Brune and I am the executive director of the Resource Development Council. I appreciate the opportunity to testify today regarding SB 284. I’d like to also thank Senator French for his efforts on this legislation.

RDC and its members have been intimately engaged in initiatives over the years. A few examples from recent history include the Cruiseship Head Tax initiative, the Gas Reserves Initiative, and the Clean Water Initiative.

The industries that were targeted by these initiatives have spent billions of dollars investing in this state. Each industry employs hard working Alaskans and each pays significant taxes to the state treasury. Be it fishing, tourism, oil and gas, or mining, RDC members have a vested interest in defending their investments. By doing business in Alaska, these businesses have demonstrated that they have a dog in any initiative fight and they should be allowed to participate in the process.

However, section 15.13.068 found on page 5 appears to potentially impact an investor’s ability to fight an initiative that targets them because they are a domestic subsidiary of a foreign corporation.

RDC supports open disclosure and transparency in election campaigns. However, we are very much opposed to any law that would prohibit contributions allowing RDC members to fight initiatives that target their industries. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I’d be happy to answer any questions.