Changes

As governor, Palin created a new subcabinet that develops policies to reduce greenhouse gases and help the state adapt to [[climate change]]. She supports oil production in ANWR, connecting it with national security.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GE11URmmnc Youtube.com interview with Palin posted August 28, 2008]</ref>

As governor, Palin created a new subcabinet that develops policies to reduce greenhouse gases and help the state adapt to [[climate change]]. She supports oil production in ANWR, connecting it with national security.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GE11URmmnc Youtube.com interview with Palin posted August 28, 2008]</ref>

Alaska was not significantly affected by the 2007 [[housing bubble]] crash, however, the dollar did soften, which raised the price of oil in the global market without raising the costs of production. This led to windfall profits for Alaska. Despite oil companies' objections, Palin worked with the [[Democrats]] in the Alaska state legislature to approve a major increase in taxes on the oil industry.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008103325_alaskatax07.html Windfall tax lets Alaska rake in billions from Big Oil] Gonzalez, Angel and Hal Bernton, August 10, 2008, The ''Seattle Times''</ref> This bill, known as "Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share" (ACES), was lampooned by the conservative talk radio media as Alaskans Clearly Entering Socialism.<ref>Rick Rydell Radio Program, 650KENI.com, 2/8/2011, 8:43 AM Alaska Standard Time</ref>.) The state sent Alaskans a $1200 check to help pay for increased gas prices, using the increased revenues from the tax.<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/11/palin-backed-alaskan-windfall-profits-tax/ Palin backed Alaskan windfalls-profit tax]</ref> Palin's successor, Governor Sean Parnell, and Republican Alaska legislatures have criticized ACES, stating the taxes have prevented further oil and gas development in the state.<ref>[Palin flaunts Alaska; Alaskans unsure about her] Cockerham, Sean, June 4, 2011, adn.com, retrieved August 20, 2011</ref>  

Alaska was not significantly affected by the 2007 [[housing bubble]] crash, however, the dollar did soften, which raised the price of oil in the global market without raising the costs of production. This led to windfall profits for Alaska. Despite oil companies' objections, Palin worked with the [[Democrats]] in the Alaska state legislature to approve a major increase in taxes on the oil industry.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008103325_alaskatax07.html Windfall tax lets Alaska rake in billions from Big Oil] Gonzalez, Angel and Hal Bernton, August 10, 2008, The ''Seattle Times''</ref> This bill, known as "Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share" (ACES), was lampooned by the conservative talk radio media as Alaskans Clearly Entering Socialism.<ref>Rick Rydell Radio Program, 650KENI.com, 2/8/2011, 8:43 AM Alaska Standard Time</ref>.) The state sent Alaskans a $1200 check to help pay for increased gas prices, using the increased revenues from the tax.<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/11/palin-backed-alaskan-windfall-profits-tax/ Palin backed Alaskan windfalls-profit tax]</ref> Palin's successor, Governor Sean Parnell, and Republican Alaska legislatures have criticized ACES, stating the taxes have prevented further oil and gas development in the state.<ref>[http://www.adn.com/2011/06/04/v-printer/1899655/palin-flaunts-alaska-alaskans.html Palin flaunts Alaska; Alaskans unsure about her] Cockerham, Sean, June 4, 2011, adn.com, retrieved August 20, 2011</ref>  

Palin also announced on May 21, 2008 that the state would challenge a recent listing of [[polar bears]] as a threatened species as she and other Alaska elected officials feared such a listing would cripple oil and gas development in prime polar bear habitat off the state's northern and northwestern coasts. Palin's belief is that there is not enough evidence to support a listing, asserting that polar bears are well-managed and their population has dramatically increased over 30 years as a result of conservation.  

Palin also announced on May 21, 2008 that the state would challenge a recent listing of [[polar bears]] as a threatened species as she and other Alaska elected officials feared such a listing would cripple oil and gas development in prime polar bear habitat off the state's northern and northwestern coasts. Palin's belief is that there is not enough evidence to support a listing, asserting that polar bears are well-managed and their population has dramatically increased over 30 years as a result of conservation.