July 15, 2006
Saturday

I disagree with the amount that the state wants to tax cruise ship passengers, the corporate earnings tax, however, and the tax on gambling operations on cruise ships while thery're in state waters, inluding the adjacent Economic Exclusion Zone, should be passed and accepted.

I think that a landing tax on the passengers will keep them on-board and out of Alaskan tour shops and minor tours that make money for us residents.

For more than a few years I have watched the well-lighted cruise ships, sit offshore, until time to sail to the next port of call. I knew then and I know now, that the ships are conducting gambling operations within the 3-mile state limit, and have felt ripped-off. There are laws on the state books restricting gambling in our fair state, to limit gambling to the benefit of various non-profit organizations, that those may benefit persons in need. Including the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

Where are the taxes and enforcement of our state laws on the cruise ships? They not only owe for present operations, but for operations all the way back to when the first floating gambling parlor conducted their operations in our State waters. Plus interest.

WE ARE MISSING THE BET/BOAT CITIZENS: if we fail to enact taxes on the cruise ship industry, I think we'll lose even more money. We need to tax the operations of these corporations that operate in our waters not the passengers that want to see Alaska.

Yours,

Alan R. McGillvray
Ketchikan, AK - USA

About: "I am a long-time resident of Alaska and Ketchikan, and I remember fish traps."

Related Stories:

Alaska: Foes of Alaska tax on cruises step up efforts By PAULA DOBBYN - Critics of a cruise-ship head tax are ramping up their million-dollar campaign to defeat an Alaska ballot measure next month that would impose a $50-per-passenger fee and other requirements on the giant vessels. - More...
Friday PM - July 14, 2006

Ketchikan: Opponents of "Cruise Tax" Say Alaska's Economy Is Under Attack By DICK KAUFFMAN - Voters will soon be deciding whether the state should start taxing cruise ships and tighten regulations on these gargantuan vessels that are the lifeblood of Alaska's tourism industry. A sweeping petition targeting the cruise ship industry met the required 23,286 signatures to make it on the ballot and will go before voters in the August 22 statewide primary. - More...
Wednesday - July 12, 2006

 

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