Regarding Alaskan economic issues, please keep in mind that ~85% of state revenues are based on oil production. I am not familiar with the details of individual state's economies but would guess that AK differs from most.
Good links within. Post #10 is a good outline of the tax burden, and worth noting that 47% was the state take (ilel before fed) Thackney is also a friend of mine, and a good source of info on energy issues. Post #12 is in regards to the dubious claims that the AK state constitution outlines a state-run business.
BP, ConocoPhillips Reduce 2010 Spending Plans in Alaska
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From the article below:
State of Alaska’s tax changes blamed; Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin says facility wouldn’t have qualified under 2006 PPT
From 2006 to 2007 the tax codes were changed three times, and ACES, the big one (which was put in place retroactively) was the one that did the most damage.
Conoco: ULSD facility won’t be built
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This is from Dec 2007, ACES was enacted in the summer of 2007 IIRC.
Conoco backs of $1 billion Alaskan spending
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This is pertainent to the economic conditions of AK, and the link I posted above. Alberta, Canada reduced taxes and royalties and the economy improved. The same ideas/principles are being discussed here now.
Royalty cuts have spurred interest in spending more in Alberta's oilpatch: Liepert
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Cruise taxes. I think Parnell scrapped the hike back to its original rate earlier this year or late last year.
25% Reduction - Cruise Lines to Cut Alaska Passenger Lists by 100,000