Small business commends passage of petty theft bill, urges governor’s signature
NFIB/Alaska State Director Denny DeWitt reports on the legislative week ending November 10
The Senate concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 54 and sent it to Gov. Bill Walker for his signature. There are many positive changes in criminal accountability from the NFIB’s perspective. The major wins for small business were:
- The possibility of jail time for fourth-degree theft, up to five days for the first offense, increasing up to 30 days for the fourth offense. First and second offenders had been citations.
- Class C felonies can now earn from 0 to 2 years’ prison time.
- Class A misdemeanors can receive up to 30 days for a first offense, increasing to 365 days for the second felony offense.
- Criminal mischief sentencing now includes mandatory community service.
SB 54 reduced the felony threshold back to $750, a level NFIB had negotiated in 2015. Last year’s passage of Senate Bill 91 had increased the felony threshold from $750 to $1,000.
These changes give police officers and the court system tools to address the increasing crime rate in Alaska. They are the “sticks” that can be used to encourage violators into corrective programming made available by SB 91. The lack of “sticks” to encourage change in behavior was a critical failure of the crime reform found in SB 91.
Tax on Employees, Self-Employed
The Senate adjourned sine die (no date set to resume) November 10, an indication the body has no intention of passing the governor’s proposed tax on employees and the self-employed. Under the constitution, one house of the Legislature cannot adjourn without consent of the other house. Currently, the House has floor session scheduled for November 13.
NFIB is hoping the House see the wisdom of joining the Senate in also adjourning sine die.
Previous Reports, Related News Releases, And Editorials
October 27 Report—Bill Restoring Petty Theft Penalties Advances
October 21 Report—Small Business Readies for Special Session
October 13 News Release—Walker Thanked for Adding SB 54 to Special Session Call
May 19 Report—Restoration of Petty Theft Penalties Fails to Pass
May 12 Report—Alaska Senate Votes Down State Income Tax Revival
May 9 Editorial—Fundamental Income Tax Lessons for Alaska
May 5 Report—Income Taxes, Petroleum Taxes and Little Else
April 28 Report—Which Will Cave First Over State Income Tax, House or Senate?
April 21 Report—One Adjournment Deadline Ignored. Will a Second Be?
April 14 Report—NFIB Victory: Independent Contractors Pulled out of State’s Crosshairs
April 7 Report—NFIB Forcing Legislature to Practice What it Preaches
March 31—NFIB Testifies in Favor of Tougher Petty Theft Penalties
March 24 Report—Hearings on a New State Income Tax Take Center Stage
March 17 Report—NFIB Victory: Deceptive Income Tax Proposal Put Aside
March 10 Report—NFIB, State Still Far Apart on Defining Independent Contractors
March 3 Report—NFIB to Fight Alaska bid to Spike UI Wages
February 24 Report—Gas Tax Increase, State Income Tax Bills Still Alive
February 17 Report—NFIB to Testify Against Assault on Independent Contractors
February 10 Report—NFIB Looking at Four Fixes to Omnibus Crime Bill
February 3 Report—Flaw in SB 91: What Penalty for Petty Theft?
January 27 Report—Independent Contractors Once Again in Crosshairs of Alaska Legislature
January 20 Report—Costly Bills Make Return Engagement in Juneau
January 5 News Release—Poll: Alaska Should Not Be in The Retirement Business