Representative government means government is responsive to taxpayers.  The oil industry is the largest taxpayer to the State of Alaska including leases, royalties, property taxes, payroll taxes, production taxes.  Of course the Legislature must consider what is good for the industry.  They paid more then 90% of the costs of running State government.  Now,  the industry is down and out and losing money on every gallon of oil produced in Alaska.  There is nothing to tax.   If the price of oil recovers,  we need new sources of oil to be discovered and ready for production.  Without tax credits, we won't be ready.