As this year winds to a close, Alaska Common Ground is grateful to share what we’ve accomplished this year and what’s ahead in 2026. We also want to take another opportunity to recognize everyone who made our work possible in 2025—our members, supporters, volunteers, speakers, moderators, sponsors, partners, and all who joined us for an event or conversation. 

Your commitment to thoughtful, civil conversation helps us foster an engaged Alaska democracy—one grounded in curiosity, respect, and a willingness to engage across political perspectives. Thank you for being part of the ACG community. We have a number of programs in the works informed by your feedback from our recent surveys! We look forward to continuing the work and the conversations with you in 2026.

It’s been another busy year for Alaska Common Ground. We hosted a mix of in-person and virtual events on fiscal, education, healthcare, and other key policy issues facing our state with very real implications for us as Alaskans, all while continuing to strengthen our organization behind the scenes with a new website where you can watch our past events and with the addition of Cami Dalton and Alex Jorgensen to our board.

ACG is grateful to the outstanding moderators and expert speakers who took time out of their busy schedules to be a part of our events. You can learn more about them and revisit each recorded event at the links below.

In 2025 ACG hosted…

Protecting the Permanent Fund: The Board of Trustees’ Recommendation for a Rules-Based Permanent Fund Endowment Model with Institute of the North and Commonwealth North. The presentation and discussion are well worth a watch as conversations around this recommendation are ongoing in Juneau.

Thanks to our presenters:

• Deven Mitchell, CEO and Executive Director, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation
• Steve Rieger, Former State Senator and former Alaska Permanent Fund Trustee
• Penny Gage, Alaskan, parent, advocate
• Senator Cathy Giessel

Tools for Difficult Conversations for members and guests at our 2025 Annual Meeting. This interactive program featured resources for productive conversations when we don’t agree or share the same perspective.

Thanks to our presenter Libby Roderick, Director Emeritus, Difficult Dialogues Initiative at UAA.

A Renewable Portfolio Standard for Alaska’s Railbelt alongside Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP). Introduced during the 2025 session, the legislation would require the region’s electric utilities to diversify their generation portfolios to include an increasing percentage from renewable sources over the coming years. This is another great event to revisit as this bill is expected to be taken up when the legislature reconvenes in January.

Thanks to our presenters:

• Representative Ky Holland (RPS Sponsor)
• Chris Rose, Founder and former Executive Director of REAP

What’s up with Recycling in Anchorage? where we heard from the municipality's Solid Waste Services Director about helpful resources and exciting updates including efforts to divert waste from our landful and into usable products for the community.

Thanks to our presenter Kelli Roth, Director of Solid Waste Services of Anchorage.

What Medicaid is, What it’s Not, and What Potential Federal Cuts Could Mean for Alaska. If you’re looking for a baseline understanding of the vital role Medicaid plays in Alaska’s healthcare system, be sure to check out this discussion.

Thanks to our presenters:

• Elizabeth Ripley, Former President and CEO, Mat-Su Health Foundation (moderator)
• Lisa Aquino, CEO, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center
• Monique Martin, Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
• Joshua Arvidson, Chief Operating Officer, Alaska Behavioral Health

The Jenga Game of Education Funding in Alaska to help us understand how funding works together to keep schools stable. With the issue likely to be a continued focus for our communities, this presentation helps us understand the complexities and impacts of changes. 

Thanks to our presenters:

• Brendan Wilson, Director of Alaska Association of Secondary Principals (moderator)
• Andy Ratliff, CFO, Anchorage School District
• Dr. Madeline Aguillard, Superintendent, Kuspuk School District
• Frank Hauser, Superintendent, Juneau School District

Helen Nienhueser Recognized as Emeritus Board Member

After nearly 30 years of committed service on Alaska Common Ground’s board, we are honored to recognize Helen Nienhueser as a Board Member Emeritus. A founding member of ACG in 1991, Helen joined the board in 1995 and made lasting contributions until she retired in 2024. 

Helen’s impact on Alaska and Alaskans’ quality of life reaches far beyond ACG. Among her many contributions – coauthoring the acclaimed Alaska hiking guide "55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska"; helping found Alaska Center for the Environment (now The Alaska Center); helping establish Alaska’s first land planning process, ensuring it included robust public participation from the beginning; and much more.

Honored with multiple lifetime achievement awards, Helen’s legacy is one of deep commitment to citizen engagement. Alaska, Alaskans, and Alaska Common Ground are better off because of her tireless leadership and commitment to working together.

Resources for Engaging with Alaska's Legislators

The Alaska Legislature will be back in session on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 for the second session of the 2025-2026 Legislature. In addition to new bills that may be introduced, the legislature can consider bills introduced during the 2025 session.

Our opinions are important to those we elect to represent us, yet a number of legislators have told ACG in recent years they receive few public comments on pending legislation from constituents and that these can influence their positions. So, we’ve compiled some helpful information for how to contact your legislators and provide thoughtful comments: 

• To find information about legislation: There is a wealth of information for constituents on the Alaska Legislature’s website. 
• To determine your State Senator and Representative(s): Submit your street address and city in the “WHO REPRESENTS ME?” link on the lower right-hand corner of the Legislature’s homepage. 
• To track specific legislation: Use the search box at the top of the Legislature’s homepage. For Senate Bills, type in SB and the bill number. For House Bills, type in HB and the bill number.
• To find committee meeting schedules: Committees are where legislation is reviewed and amended and where the public can provide testimony. Check the Meeting Schedules page for the following week’s committee hearings, released on Thursday evenings.
• Prepare your comments: When contacting your legislators to voice an opinion or weigh in on legislation, start your message with what you are advocating for, such as “please support …” or “please vote yes/no on [insert name or number of bill].” Include a short explanation as to why you oppose or support it. Keep your message to the point, but elaborate if you have personal or professional knowledge of the subject. Be polite. 
• Send Public Opinion Messages: You can send 50-word messages to any or all legislators or to all members of a committee through the Alaska State Public Opinion Message System. This is a useful tool to reach committee members especially late in the session when things are hectic and legislators are extremely busy. 

Recap: The Jenga Game of Education Funding in Alaska

In November, we enjoyed hearing from education leaders across Alaska as they unpacked the complexities of school funding for us, with a lens of extensive real world experience. Using a Jenga metaphor, two superintendents and one school finance officer showed how multiple complicated revenue streams fit together—and what can happen when funding shifts or gaps appear. The conversation also addressed common questions and misconceptions about district budgets, staffing, and the broader impacts of education funding policies.

ACG wishes to thank our outstanding moderator Brendan Wilson, Director of Alaska Association of Secondary Principals, and panelists–Andy Ratliff, CFO, Anchorage School District; Dr. Madeline Aguillard, Superintendent, Kuspuk School District; and Frank Hauser, Superintendent, Juneau School District for sharing their expertise and stories.

Upcoming Items of Interest

Public Meetings Community Survey [Anchorage]

By December 31, 2025

The National Civic League, Federation of Community Councils, and other partners are seeking to better understand how residents engage with the current public process and barriers to engaging in public meetings. Information learned will inform how to make them more civil, equitable, participatory, and productive.

The survey is open from now until the end of December 2025. 

Democracy Fair [Anchorage]

Saturday, January 10, 2026

11am-3pm

Loussac Library

Hosted by the League of Women Voters Anchorage, this free event will explore how local democracy works and how Alaskans can engage with civic life. Features include film screenings, exhibits, talks, and opportunities to connect with local organizations focused on elections, civic participation, and public service. ACG will have a booth and hope you stop by to say hello!

Clean Power Happy Hour: Data Centers in Alaska [Anchorage]

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

6:30-8 p.m.

49th State Brewing Co.

717 W. 3rd Ave

Data centers are being deployed throughout the United States faster than ever before. What can we learn from other states, and how is Alaska’s landscape different? Join The Alaska Center to discuss the impacts of data centers and what policy opportunities exist around their development.

Press Freedom in Alaska: What it Takes to Keep Local News Independent [Anchorage]

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

6-8 p.m.

49th State Brewing Co. Heritage Theater

717 W. 3rd Ave

Join the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism and Alaska Press Club for a discussion on editorial independence in Alaska. How do local news outlets keep their coverage free from interference—from the government, from advertisers, from corporate ownership, and from other forces that aim to sway information in our communities? Share your thoughts on local news and how outlets can earn, keep, or lose your trust.

Rise and Represent

This Alaska Center program is designed to empower Alaskans to step into leadership and serve on local and state boards and commissions. Participants receive a small stipend, one-on-one mentorship, and hands-on support to lead with confidence and purpose.

Thank You Sponsors

Thank you to the following businesses that supported our efforts in 2025! We’re grateful for your support.

We’d like to include a special shout out to Scott Jensen with Tudor Road Studios for supporting our events with fantastic audio visual services and helping us stream and post our forums!

If your business is interested in being a corporate supporter of ACG or sponsor for a specific event, please reach out to us!

Pick.Click.Give. - We're Back!

After an error last year, ACG is excited to be back on the list of participating organizations when you opt to Pick.Click.Give. When PFD applications open on January 1, we hope you’ll consider supporting ACG. Donating through this program is a great way to support our mission. 

Help Advance an Engaged Alaska Democracy

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 can we advance an engaged Alaska democracy. Please be sure to check out all the ways to support ACG here. As always, we are honored to receive your support!