It would seem that the infrastructure i.e. pipeline and all that was needed to ship out the existing oil years ago has been paid for long ago. New oil has been located and according to the media will last and new fields will no doubt be found so why shouldn't Alaska now be able to take out some more profit. Why should the oil companies keep pumping and receiving their profit and the state giving it's resources away for nothing. As far as that goes mining, tourism, fish and all of the other resources need to be looked at. I know that the oil companies have accountants, lawyers and others that are used to pulling the wool over the eyes of oil patch countries and getting the most out for the share holders and Alaska has elected people that aren't really at the top of the earning curve and some that are at the top of the graft curve but if you can't profit from your resources the they should be left in the ground until you can.