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Alaska Common Ground
Winter 2022 Newsletter
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Greetings!
Every year, Alaska Common Ground looks forward to our winter newsletter – or what we refer to as our gratitude edition. We want to share our genuine appreciation to every one of our inspiring members, supporters, volunteers, guest speakers, moderators, sponsors, and partners who helped us advance our vision of an engaged Alaskan democracy again this year. Please check out the 2022 Year in Review, a preview of our plans for the upcoming year, many thanks, and more below! Wishing you all a joyful, healthy, and peaceful New Year. We look forward to seeing you - virtually and in person - in 2023!
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Stay Engaged in Shaping Alaska's Fiscal Future! |
The November election results bring limited cause for optimism that the State of Alaska will tackle a long-term fiscal plan in the coming two-year (2023-2024) legislative session. The State Senate has organized a bi-partisan coalition with many members who in the past have advocated for a long-term plan. As of this writing, the State House has not yet organized. We are happy to see that Alaska Common Ground Board Member Cliff Groh won a seat in the State House. Cliff has been a tireless advocate for bringing some long-term fiscal responsibility to state budgets. Unfortunately, the Governor’s proposed budget released on December 15 continues to focus on maximizing the Permanent Fund Dividend, without addressing the desperate need to better fund education and social programs.
Further compounding this complex issue is that the State’s budget the last two years has been seriously distorted by three factors: the large influx of federal dollars from both pandemic relief efforts and the more recent infrastructure bill as well as last year’s short-term spike in oil prices due to the war in Ukraine. The State again faces declining oil prices and the likelihood of fewer federal dollars. The new Legislature will begin work on January 17, 2023 - we anticipate interesting and challenging budget discussions and negotiations this year. Informed and engaged Alaskans are essential to achieving a sound fiscal plan for the state. To this end, ACG is gearing up to host additional fiscal events in 2023.
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Alaska Common Ground was busy in 2022, working a bit more behind the scenes this year than usual. Here are a few highlights!
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On the November general election ballot, Alaskan voters were asked “Shall there be a Constitutional Convention” and fortunately for our state, the vast majority of us said “No”. Leading up to the election, ACG’s Board unanimously passed a resolution supporting a no vote to preserve the integrity of Alaska’s Constitution - a model state constitution that secures our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty. We also joined forces with Defend Our Constitution – a broad nonpartisan coalition of Alaskans and Alaskan organizations that coalesced to raise awareness about the importance of a “No” vote. Read ACG's Board Resolution here.
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It was a busy election year for Alaska as the State implemented its first open primary system and ranked choice voting. ACG recognized we had a role in helping to raise awareness about the new system to our fellow Alaskans before the Special Primary Election in June, the Special General Election and Regular Primary Election in August, and the Regular General Election in November. We hosted three free events on the topic, and prepared regular communications to keep you informed of key election dates and details. We’re grateful to Gail Fenumiai, Director of Alaska’s Division of Elections, and Jason Grenn, Executive Director of Alaskans for Better Elections for helping us all to better understand this new way of voting and how our votes would be counted. You can watch these events on our YouTube channel here.
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ACG marked its 30th Anniversary in June with an in person gathering featuring a thoughtful and lively discussion on “What Democracy Means to You and How Can We Find Common Ground to Protect It?” with panelists Berta Gardner, Bill Falsey, Steve Lindbeck and moderated by Drew Cason. Founding board member Peg Tileston provided an overview of ACG’s history - including the breadth of critical policy issues we’ve covered over the years. Read Peg’s overview here.
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An Engaged Alaskan Democracy in Action! |
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Last summer, the Alaska Division of Elections was having trouble staffing the nearly 100 polling stations in the Anchorage area ahead of the recent elections. When Alaska Common Ground learned the Division had an Adopt-a-Precinct program whereby nonprofits can “adopt” a polling station and staff it, the board enthusiastically agreed to do our part to ensure a fair and efficient election.
Then we asked ACG members to join us and the reaction was inspiring. In all, 44 ACG members, board members, and supporters volunteered their time and energy, including seven who served as chairs or co-chairs. In the end, we were able to run not one but three stations, and a fourth, alongside the great volunteers from the Alaska Speedskating Club.
We want to share our heartfelt thanks to these smart, thoughtful folks for their dedication to upholding democratic values and a special shout-out to ACG Board Member Chuck Gilbert for coordinating this meaningful effort. We also want to acknowledge all of the Alaska Division of Elections staff and volunteers who work diligently year after year to ensure public confidence in our electoral process. |
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Lifelong Alaskans Pam and David Karalunas became members of Alaska Common Ground in 2018 because, Pam writes, “We appreciate ACG’s emphasis on addressing issues in a neutral, respectful, and solution-focused manner and for the great opportunities to gain better understanding about current topics on all sides of an issue.” Pam has spent the last 35 years in the nonprofit world working to improve outcomes for abused children and their non-offending caregivers and David has worked in the aviation maintenance field since 1989, including more than two decades and counting with the FAA.
ACG was thrilled when Pam and David joined our efforts to serve as poll workers, even stepping up to chair a polling station, and it's no surprise now why they did. They take their service, citizenship, and Constitutional responsibilities seriously – influenced in large part by their community-minded mothers. Pam’s British mother was a poll worker as soon as she became a citizen, believing that voting was both a right and a responsibility. David, a veteran, grew up volunteering for numerous nonprofits, including the Blood Bank of Alaska, which his mom helped start. David shares: “With all the recent political and media coverage of election issues, and then learning that many election workers were deciding to stop serving, we felt it was time to step up and do our part.”
We’re privileged to call Pam and David members! If you also value what ACG contributes to the community and want to be a part of it, please become a member today.
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2023 will be another consequential year for Alaskans. ACG anticipates hosting or co-hosting events on the state’s fiscal situation, how Alaska is addressing the climate crisis on a statewide and local level, and more. Look for announcements in our upcoming newsletters and on our social media channels. Meanwhile, your suggestions to inform the planning of these events are always valued. Please send those to info@akcommonground.org.
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Anchorage Transportation Fair
Hosted by Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Alaska Airlines Center
Thursday, January 12
3:00 to 7:00 PM
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The Future of Cook Inlet Energy
Hosted by Renewable Energy Alaska Project
Anchorage Museum, 625 C St
Thursday, January 12
6:00 to 9:00 PM
Join REAP for a discussion about the energy challenges facing Cook Inlet and the potential renewable energy solutions available. More information here.
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Thank you to the following businesses that financially supported our efforts in 2022. We’re grateful for your support! |
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Help Advance an Engaged Alaskan Democracy |
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If you value ACG’s efforts to provide respectful and relevant events and information on policy issues of importance for Alaskans, please become a member or make a one-time year end donation today. Only together, will we advance an engaged Alaskan democracy. Please be sure to check out all the ways to support ACG here. As always, we are honored to receive your support!
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When you apply for your 2023 PFD starting on January 1, please consider supporting ACG when you Pick.Click.Give. Donating through this program is a great way to add your support for an engaged Alaskan democracy. |
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