Originally Posted by eastwest
I'm an Alaskan who voted in favor of the tax. To make a long argument short, my main motivation is to see that companies from the Outside (ie ALL the cruiseship companies that operate up here) pay for using Alaska's resources. The amazing scenery and wonderful crusing water are a resource, just like our oil...
I agree they should pay something, and I wouldn't have even minded just the $50 head tax. I don't think that would influence too many visitors who are taking the "trip of a lifetime."
However, I do take exception to the corporate income tax, 33% take of casino revenues, disclosure of commission rates for land-based tour options (shore excursions) and the cruise ranger, or whatever it is they call the state's environmental watchdog employee who they have to give a free cabin to on every sailing in Alaska waters, These are unprecedented in the cruise industry and just plain greedy. I don't think most Alaskans get it about the potential economic impact to them.