Senate Republican Caucus Reacts to Indictments
Charges reflect poorly on institution

Juneau -  The Senate Republican Caucus expressed disappointment at news today that two former legislators and one sitting legislator have been indicted on federal charges that include extortion and bribery.

“We are saddened and disappointed on behalf of the institution we represent by news of these indictments today. This strikes at the heart of the purity of the process for setting public policy that takes place in our branch of government, the legislature,” said Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault, R-North Pole.

Sen. Therriault was one of the leading proponents for a higher PPT tax rate during debate last year. As chairman of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee for 2005-2006, Sen. Therriault hired several consultants who questioned why the administration was proposing a 20 percent tax rate when its own advisor, Dr. Pedro Van Muers, had earlier recommended starting deliberations at a rate of 25 percent.

“These indictments illustrate the type of forces we were up against in the debate during PPT last year. We suspected something like this might be going on behind the scenes, but we had no proof,” Therriault said.

A sound actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007050401a.mp3