The push by rural lawmakers for greater control of development in coastal areas throttled up Wednesday, as a Senate panel fast-forwarded a bill to a full floor debate.

But Gov. Sean Parnell remains as steadfastly against such a bill as ever, saying he simply cannot support handing over control of resources like oil, gas and timber, to local people when those resources belong to the state and play an important role in Alaska's economic future.

Following the tense but fast Senate Finance hearing on SB4, by Sen. Donny Olson, D-Nome, Parnell met with a key player in the push, North Slope Borough Mayor Edward Itta. That was a meeting Itta had hoped to have had late last week, but without a clear change in his position, the governor demurred.

Today's meeting netted no change in position, which frustrated rural lawmakers pushing for the bill. They said in a rare press conference Wednesday evening that Parnell is disregarding every attempt at compromise, such as changes to the bill that would lighten their local districts' control but maintain a voice.

Itta joined Sens. Donny Olson and Reps. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, Bob Herron, D-Bethel, and Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue, and talked about his meeting with the governor, calling the administration's position "state-sponsored theatrics stirring up opposition" and "state government at its very worst, refusing to participate in a legitimate process with the people of Alaska and with the Legislature."

Olson said Parnell's resistance to working with the local districts will definitely play into the approaching election, with the governor seeking election.

Joule backs a similar bill in the House that is bogged down in the Resources Committee, with co-chairman Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, adamantly opposed for reasons similar to Parnell's.

The rural Democrats at the press conference caucus with the House Majority, kicking up the numbers needed for key votes. But that alliance is in some danger, with the issue fracturing the Majority. Herron pointed out that 18 House members represent coastal areas with a stake in the game. Trying to smooth the cracks, House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, arranged the meeting with Itta and Parnell this afternoon, a possible show of how important the issue has become within the caucus.

Joule says the bill would provide "meaningful local input" in developments with the potential to adversely affect locals' way of life - issues like federal designation of critical habitat for the endangered polar bears, to off-shore oil and gas drilling, such as Shell hopes to do.

The Senate hearing was tense, packed with reps from industry and from the Arctic coast communities. Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Larry Hartig testified briefly, explaining that the state's position is firm and that any changes to the bill would so alter its substance, they may not be worth proposing.