Rep. Johnson's mother passes away

Condolences to Rep. Craig Johnson, whose mother passed away on Friday.

Johnson, R-Anchorage, is with his family and loved ones for the week.

This is a tough time for Johnson to be absent from Juneau. He chairs the House Resources Committee, which is grappling with Johnson's own House Bill 308 dealing with the state's oil tax.

The tax - ACES - is the hottest topic so far this legislative session. Johnson's proposal, which would offer oil companies more incentives, is among a couple of bills in both bodies aimed at spurring production and investment in the North Slope. Republicans generally favor amending the tax structure, while Democrats have opposed any tinkering with a structure they say is working just fine.

The House Resources Committee held a hearing on the bill as scheduled on Monday afternoon, taking in a deep review by consultant Dan Dickinson. Committee Co-Chairman Mark Neuman, R-Mat-Su, canceled a hearing on HB 308 scheduled for Wednesday, although the committee will still meet to consider a bill Neuman has filed dealing with a tax on gas used for in-state manufacturing.

According to an e-mail from House Majority Press Secretary Will Vandergriff, Johnson will steer the committee back to the oil tax bill next week, when he returns.