Legislature(2009 - 2010)
2010-07-09 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2010-07-09 Senate Journal Page 2614 SB 117 Message dated June 29 was received, stating: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority vested in me by Art. II, Sec. 17, of the Alaska Constitution, I am allowing the following bill to become law without my signature [and am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing]: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 117(L&C) "An Act requiring the Department of Revenue to set the minimum price for cigarettes for sale by wholesalers and retailers; and prohibiting a 2010-07-09 Senate Journal Page 2615 wholesaler or retailer from selling at wholesale or retail cigarettes at a lower price than the price set by the Department of Revenue." Chapter 114, SLA 2010 Effective Date: 9/28/10 Committee testimony indicated that state law currently sets minimum prices on cigarettes, but not on any other commodity. This legislation follows that same philosophical construct of government setting prices in the private sector market. I do not believe it is the government's role to set minimum prices on market commodities. Because this legislation requires me to choose from two options, neither of which reflect my underlying free market principles, I look to which outcome is least burdensome on Alaskans. HCS CSSB 117(L&C) appears to be an improvement over current law in this respect because it removes a layer of administrative burden on private sector businesses and seeks to provide some certainty. For these reasons, I have allowed this bill to become law without my signature. Sincerely, /s/ Sean Parnell Governor