Head Tax

by Channel 2 News staff Monday, April 5, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- In a poll conducted by Channel 2 News, respondents were asked if they support Gov. Sean Parnell's bill that would reduce Alaska's head tax on cruise ship passengers. Here is the official question and results of the 478 people who voted. Do you support Gov. Sean Parnell's bill that would reduce Alaska's head tax on cruise ship passengers? Yes 61.5 % No 38.5 % All polls conducted by Channel 2 News and KTUU.

by Christine Kim Thursday, June 24, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sean Parnell signed a cruise-ship passenger head tax reduction into law Thursday, in an effort to create economic growth for small businesses throughout Alaska. Under Senate Bill 312, the head tax drops from $46 to $35.50. One focus of the Parnell administration has been on increasing visitor travel. The governor's office says over two years, Alaska has lost up to 5,000 jobs and more than $400 million in direct and indirect spending.

by Jason Lamb Monday, April 12, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A settlement agreement released Monday formalizes what will happen with a lawsuit that claimed the state's cruise ship head tax was illegal. The lawsuit, filed last year, alleges that the head tax that tourists pay on cruise ships is illegal because some of the money from the tax goes to projects not related to cruising or tourism. The settlement agreement says that if the Legislature approves a bill under consideration in Juneau to lower the state's head tax, the Alaska Cruise Association, which filed the lawsuit, will drop its complaint.

by Ted Land Thursday, March 25, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- Gov. Sean Parnell introduced a bill Thursday to reduce the cruise ship head tax, and it goes deeper than some previously thought. Parnell is hoping for about a 59 percent reduction in the head tax. He laid out his plans and other priorities for the rest of the legislative session during a wide-ranging press conference Thursday morning. The bill would reduce the cruise ship head tax from $46 per person to $34. There are further cuts to make up for local head taxes in Juneau and Ketchikan, which would bring the final head tax to $19 per person.

by Jackie Bartz Friday, March 19, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sean Parnell announced plans to lower the state head tax on cruise-ship passengers by over $10 Friday, but in return he wants major cruise lines to send more ships to Alaska. Parnell flew to Miami this week for a cruise ship trade show, although he received anything but a warm welcome. Cruise line CEOs attacked the state for its head tax and threatened to avoid Alaskan waters altogether. "My administration will aggressively seek to bring more tourist dollars to our shores, to grow our economy and fuel our Alaska businesses," Parnell said, announcing plans to lower the head tax from $46 to $34.50.

by Ted Land Monday, April 5, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- The state Legislature has about two weeks left in session to make a decision on the state's cruise ship head tax. It started hearings Monday on a proposal to reduce the burden on cruise lines and their passengers. If they couldn't show up in person, they called in from all across the state: Tour operators, lodge owners and local governments who are keeping a close eye on the head tax bill. They pleaded for help.

by Megan Baldino Thursday, July 16, 2009 MS RYNDAM -- A cruise executive from Carnival Cruises recently threatened to sue Alaska over the $50 head tax passed by Alaska voters in 2006. Ever since Ballot Measure 2 was approved in 2006, there has been concern and debate about the head tax and whether or not it's driving cruise ships out of Alaska and into more profitable waters. It's a big fear for port towns, and for Alaska's tourism industry -- which brings in $1 billion a year from cruise ships.

by Ted Land Monday, March 22, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- Lawmakers in Juneau are waiting to see exactly how Gov. Sean Parnell plans to bring cruise ships back to Alaska's docks. Last week he proposed reducing the head tax, but the Legislature has yet to see a proposal in writing. There are a few options: Parnell could tack his request onto an existing piece of legislation or he could write up a new bill altogether. The first cruise ship of the season will dock in Juneau in just over a month.

by Rebecca Palsha Thursday, July 1, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Alaska Cruise Association has dropped a lawsuit against the state, as part of an agreement to do so in the wake of Gov. Sean Parnell signing a bill to reduce the state's cruise ship head tax. It wasn't a surprise to anyone that ACA dropped its lawsuit, which alleged that the $46 head tax was illegal because its proceeds weren't all directed to tourism-related...

by Christine Kim Thursday, June 24, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sean Parnell signed a cruise-ship passenger head tax reduction into law Thursday, in an effort to create economic growth for small businesses throughout Alaska. Under Senate Bill 312, the head tax drops from $46 to $35.50. One focus of the Parnell administration has been on increasing visitor travel. The governor's office says over two years, Alaska has lost up to 5,000 jobs and more than $400 million in direct and indirect spending.

by Ted Land Saturday, April 17, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- It's crunch time in the state Capitol. The legislative session ends Sunday, and lawmakers are working long hours this weekend trying to pass some important last-minute bills. The House had 17 bills on its calendar Saturday, and the Senate 13. The Senate is done for Saturday night, but the House is still working. There have been several votes Saturday afternoon and evening, but many of the key bills are still awaiting some kind of action.

by Jason Lamb Monday, April 12, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A settlement agreement released Monday formalizes what will happen with a lawsuit that claimed the state's cruise ship head tax was illegal. The lawsuit, filed last year, alleges that the head tax that tourists pay on cruise ships is illegal because some of the money from the tax goes to projects not related to cruising or tourism. The settlement agreement says that if the Legislature approves a bill under consideration in Juneau to lower the state's head tax, the Alaska Cruise Association, which filed the lawsuit, will drop its complaint.

by Channel 2 News staff Monday, April 5, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- In a poll conducted by Channel 2 News, respondents were asked if they support Gov. Sean Parnell's bill that would reduce Alaska's head tax on cruise ship passengers. Here is the official question and results of the 478 people who voted. Do you support Gov. Sean Parnell's bill that would reduce Alaska's head tax on cruise ship passengers? Yes 61.5 % No 38.5 % All polls conducted by Channel 2 News and KTUU.

by Ted Land Monday, April 5, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- The state Legislature has about two weeks left in session to make a decision on the state's cruise ship head tax. It started hearings Monday on a proposal to reduce the burden on cruise lines and their passengers. If they couldn't show up in person, they called in from all across the state: Tour operators, lodge owners and local governments who are keeping a close eye on the head tax bill. They pleaded for help.

by Ted Land Thursday, March 25, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- Gov. Sean Parnell introduced a bill Thursday to reduce the cruise ship head tax, and it goes deeper than some previously thought. Parnell is hoping for about a 59 percent reduction in the head tax. He laid out his plans and other priorities for the rest of the legislative session during a wide-ranging press conference Thursday morning. The bill would reduce the cruise ship head tax from $46 per person to $34. There are further cuts to make up for local head taxes in Juneau and Ketchikan, which would bring the final head tax to $19 per person.