Fall is underway and with it brings change to Alaska Common Ground and opportunities to engage in important conversations concerning legislation designed to address the climate crisis, proposed reforms to our state’s retirement system, and upcoming ballot measures. You’ll find updates about these below, along with reflections from a board member on her recent Marshall Fellowship and more!

Thank you to everyone who joined Alaska Common Ground virtually on September 28 to learn about proposed retirement reforms for public employees in Alaska. Senator Cathy Giessel and Fate Putman, a consultant for the Alaska Public Employees Association, presented extensive information showing Alaska’s current public retirement systems are leading to problems with recruiting and retaining teachers, police officers, fire fighters, land managers, and many other types of public employees. In 2006, the Legislature changed the retirement system for new public employees from a Defined Benefit Plan (pension) to a Defined Contribution Plan (401k type), with no allowance for participation in Social Security for most.

Last March, Senator Giessel and other senators introduced Senate Bill 88, which would reinstate a Defined Benefit Plan that would be cost effective and beneficial for recruiting and retaining a quality public employee workforce. They emphasized that this legislation would create a new system and not be a return to the former program. This was followed by approximately 30 minutes of Q & A with those attending the event. The session was recorded and can now be viewed on ACG’s YouTube channel here.

After almost 20 years as Alaska Common Ground’s stalwart program coordinator, Kari Gardey decided it was time for a change. She recently transitioned from supporting ACG’s operations to supporting its mission, as a volunteer. The ACG board conveys our heartfelt gratitude to Kari for her tremendous dedication and many contributions to the organization over the years - we're grateful that she will continue in a different capacity.

And now, we are thrilled to introduce Jess Braunlich as our new program coordinator! Jess is a “mostly” lifelong Alaskan who has extensive experience working with community, tribal, and governmental organizations and in nonprofit management. Like Kari and the board, Jess cares deeply about Alaska, the people here, and advancing ACG’s vision of an engaged Alaskan democracy! 

Over the next few months, you may be asked by proponents of three ballot measures trying to get their proposals before the voters: “Would you sign your name to this ballot measure petition?”. If enough valid signatures are collected, the ballot measures will likely be on the November 5, 2024 ballot (although they could be on the August primary ballot, more on that in a future newsletter).

While two proposed ballot measures were rejected by the Lieutenant Governor due to Constitutional issues, three proposals have been certified to proceed for signature collection. To follow is a summary of the three ballot measures moving forward, along with links to the proposed language and to the Department of Law’s review of the proposal, which may help you decide whether to sign or not to sign.

“An Act restoring campaign contributions for state and local office”.

This enacts campaign contribution limits with inflation-proofing.

“An initiative to increase Alaska’s minimum wage, provide workers with paid sick leave, and protect their constitutional rights”.

This would increase the minimum wage to $13 per hour in 2025 and to $15 on July 1, 2027, with it tied to inflation after that.

“An Act to get rid of the Open Primary System and Ranked-Choice General Election”.

If passed, this would impact elections starting in 2026.

One of the most important and persistent issues Alaska Common Ground continues to focus on is the State of Alaska’s fiscal challenges and lack of a sustainable fiscal plan. In 2020, Commonwealth North developed a helpful interactive online tool that allowed every Alaskan to try their hand at balancing the State’s budget by choosing what amount of funding should go to state programs as well as the sources and amounts of revenue. Those who used the tool gained a better understanding of the difficult decisions our legislators face.

Commonwealth North is in the process of updating this tool and with input from ACG’s Fiscal Policy Workgroup. We’ll send an announcement as soon as it becomes available - please try it out! Like last time, legislators will receive a report they can use to better understand Alaskans’ priorities. Meanwhile, for background on the State’s fiscal issues, check out the fiscal policy section of our website. 

Last Fall, Alaska Common Ground board member Stephanie Nichols returned to the United States after completing a Marshall Memorial Fellowship in Europe. While there she visited Brussels and NATO Headquarters, toured Hamburg and Rome, but perhaps most impactful was the time she spent in Serbia:

“My stay in Serbia was oftentimes unsettling, but it is certainly where I learned the most. I got a small glimpse of what it might feel like to live in a country void of true democracy and to reflect upon what freedom really means. At the same time and in what felt like an entire world away, and under a November full moon, the United States midterm elections were taking place.”

Read Stephanie’s full reflections on democracy and freedom on ACG’s website here.

Are you wondering what’s happening with climate legislation in Alaska? Please join Alaska Common Ground for a discussion with Senators James Kaufman and Loki Tobin, and Representatives Genevieve Mina and Calvin Schrage to learn what bills passed during the last legislative session, what’s on the horizon for the upcoming session in 2024, and how we can engage in the process. This discussion will be moderated by journalist Nat Herz of the Northern Journal, with time for Q & A.

The event will be livestreamed and recorded for those who cannot attend in person. Beverages and food will be available for purchase.

REAP is hosting a presentation from Dr. Antony Scott, REAP’s Director of Economic & Regulatory Affairs, on Chugach Electric Association’s general rate case, its implications for Alaskan ratepayers, and REAP’s decision to intervene. More information here.

This is the first of a four-part lecture and panel series about major public policy issues facing Alaska hosted by the Alaska Historical Society. The first program, entitled “Alaska Native Sovereignty,” will consider the history of the relationship between Native groups and the federal government. The landmark 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was broadly seen as the settlement of longstanding Alaska Native land claims. More information here.

The Anchorage Assembly has designated October 30 to November 4 as Anchorage Housing Action Week. This week-long initiative aims to open a public dialogue on housing policy with events and programs that explore Anchorage’s housing experiences, beliefs, and vision for the future. Learn more here.

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, the Mat-Su Borough, the Cities of Wasilla and Palmer, and the Alaska Railroad Corporation invite you to the 2023 Mat-Su Transportation Fair. Learn about many different road, rail, pedestrian, air, and safety projects and programs! Find more information here.

FashionPact is a unique resale boutique that also supports Alaskan charities - you choose which one when you donate or purchase an item. We hope you’ll choose Alaska Common Ground!

FashionPact is opening a second location at 2520 E. 68th Ave (at Lake Otis) in Anchorage and is in need of donations to get the new store up and running! They accept items from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm every day except Sunday. The Grand Opening will be October 13 and 14. Find more information here.

Please be sure to check out all the other ways to support ACG here.

Are you a GCI email user who needs to come up with a new email address? Please make sure to share your new contact info with Alaska Common Ground!