A. What are the issues/current situations?

1. Lack of capital

2. Different standard of living

3. Rural economy depends on state/federal funding

a. Power cost equalization

4. Current state of education

5. Communication obstacle

a. Language

b. Internet

6. Minimal vs. optimal state government

7. More resources than yesterday

a. Now we are fighting over the spoils

8. Sovereignty

9. Is there a divide?

a. Some want to remain as is

b. Is it providing conflict?

10. Environmental Lobby

a. Is it crippling progress

1) i.e. ANWR

11. Government Regulation/Permitting

a. Is it crippling development?

b. Perception is reality

12. Entitlement vs. owner state

13. Education

a. Scale

b. Is university sytem adequate

14. High unemployment

a. Opportunity or problem

15. Infrastructure

a. Roads, Rail

1) improve development, i.e., Red Dog

B. What will happen if we do nothing?

1. Standard of living decreases

2. What do we want for rural Alaska?

3. What does rural Alaska want?

4. Threat of loss of external funding

a. PCE goes away

b. Transfer payments are reduced

5. Population

a. Increase in urban Alaska

b. Decrease in rural Alaska

1) Some want it depopulated

2) Some want rail & roads

3) Resource change, i.e, trees cut

6. Rural/Urban divide grows

a. Reapportionment

1) Loss of rural seats in legislature

2) Will broaden the divide

7. Fiscal gridlock continues

8. Potential state tax implementation

C. What would a positive resolution look like?

1. Sound education

a. Private education is good competition

b. Provide skills needed to survive in both rural & urban lifestyles

c. Needs sustainable funding

d. Improved university system

2. Slow steady growth

a. 4-5%

3. Produce statesmen/leadership

a. Legislature

D. How do we get there?

1. What should CWN do?

E. What would a positive resolution mean to Alaska?

1. People understand each other

2. Things will get done

3. We are all in this together (one state)

4. Migration/consolidation of villages

5. Do we need rural universities or trade schools?