As many of you have probably already heard, Presidential Candidate Sen. John McCain made headlines around the world when he announced that his Vice Presidential running mate would be Gov. Sarah Palin. Although there still has not been much written about her tax views, I found this interesting article on 10 Things to Know About Sarah Palin and Energy. Below are a few items that I found most interesting from the list, but you can read the whole article by clicking here.
Standing Up to Big Oil
Serving as the ethics commissioner of Alaska’s Oil & Gas Commission, Palin built her reputation on cracking down on big oil and her fellow Republicans for corruption. As governor, she also successfully led a bipartisan tax levy on big oil’s profits.
Creation of Alaska’s Climate Change Sub-Cabinet
Palin does recognize that her home state is thawing. Palin created the Climate Change Sub-Cabinet to consolidate the state’s knowledge on climate change and guide the state’s mitigation and adaptation policy. The Cabinet was also charged with exploring the state’s renewable energy potential, especially “geothermal, wind, hydroelectric, and tidal resources.”
Drill, Drill, Drill
As governor of an oil-rich state, it is no surprise Palin is in favor of domestic oil production. While McCain has reversed his position on drilling on the outer continental shelf (OCS), he has yet to call for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which Palin refers to as “that little 2,000 acre plot.” But Palin thinks he’ll change his mind: “[McCain] came around on OCS…I anticipate the same with ANWR.”
Energy Rebate Check
Palin issued a press release praising Obama’s proposal for $1,000 energy rebate checks. She had proposed a $100-a-month energy debit card, but dropped that plan in favor of a $1,200 one-time special payment to eligible Alaskans, which she signed into law just this week.
Gas Tax Holiday
Alaska has some of the highest gasoline prices in the country and Palin signed into law a gas tax holiday, suspending the motor fuel tax on gasoline, marine fuel, and aviation fuel for one year. McCain and Clinton both were in favor of gas tax holiday while Obama claimed such a move was merely a “gimmick.”
