Alaska lawmaker believes cruise tax cut will pass

JUNEAU, Alaska

Alaska House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen expects the Legislature to address the proposed rollback of the state's cruise ship passenger head tax before adjourning.

Adjournment is set for Sunday, and Johansen expects a reduction of some form will pass by then.

The Republican represents Ketchikan, a community that relies heavily on the tourist and cruise trade. He's not a big fan of a head-tax.

Gov. Sean Parnell has proposed reducing the $46-per-person tax to $34.50, and allow deeper offsets for local head taxes for ships stopping in Juneau and Ketchikan.

There've also been efforts between the state and Alaska Cruise Association to settle that group's lawsuit against the state if Parnell's plan passes this session.