Six Alaska Native corporations launched a corporation to defend an oil tax that is being put to a statewide referendum.

Arctic Slope Regional Corp., Doyon Ltd., Cook Inlet Region Inc., NANA Development Corp., Bristol Bay Native Corp. and Bering Straits Native Corp. are part of the "No One on One" campaign. They are spending at least $500,000 to urge state voters to reject Ballot Measure 1 on August 19.

"It is out of concern for the future of our state and economy that we stand before you today,” ASRC President Rex Rock, Sr. said at the launch event on Wednesday,KTVA reported. “No one who understands and cares about Alaska’s economy would vote in favor of threatening the opportunities for future generations of Alaskans. No one.”

The effort is separate from the Vote No On One, which is largely funded by the energy industry. Native corporations, however, have joined that coalition as well.

A group called It's Our Oil Alaska wants to repeal Senate Bill 21, which restructured the state's oil production tax. The group says the changes benefit the oil industry instead of the state's citizens.

Get the Story:
Alaska Native corporations join to oppose oil tax reform repeal (The Alaska Journal of Commerce 5/28)
laska Native Corporations Move to Protect Oil Tax Reform (KTUU 5/28)
Native corporations join forces to oppose oil tax referendum (The Anchorage Daily News 5/29)
Six Alaska Native corporations launch fight to save new oil tax (KTVA 5/29)