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A federal contracting program most Alaskans have never heard of moves a massive amount of money into Alaska’s economy. Four speakers explained why its future is suddenly uncertain. ANCHORAGE (05/21/26) — Forum Summary by Ross Johnston, Executive Director, Commonwealth North $13.5 billion. That is the combined 2022 revenue of Alaska’s twelve Native regional corporations, according […]
At a Commonwealth North forum on the Permanent Fund compact, four of five speakers argued Alaska’s dividend experiment has distorted fiscal policy. One argued it is the only thing keeping the state tethered to reality. ANCHORAGE (04/16/26). Forum Summary by Ross Johnston, Executive Director, Commonwealth North How is it that a state with a $86.8 […]
Ice-Free Doesn’t Mean No Ice Three federal and state leaders came to Anchorage with a shared message that the Arctic is in motion. What separated them was the question of what Alaska should build, for whom, and on whose timeline. Forum Summary by Ross Johnston, Executive Director, Commonwealth North ANCHORAGE (04/13/26) — The room at […]
Can a New Pension Plan Stem Alaska’s Talent Exodus? Forum Summary by Ross Johnston, Executive Director. Stay informed with the latest briefs by signing up for our email list. A roomful of policymakers, constituents, economists, educators and public servants grappled with a ghost from Alaska’s past: reviving a once-robust pension system. The stakes couldn’t be […]
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — For decades, Alaska’s economy has rested on a “three-legged stool” of petroleum, private industries like mining and fishing, and federal spending. But as oil revenues wane and federal policies shift, economists warn that the state’s reliance on Washington’s largesse is growing — and with it, new vulnerabilities. At a virtual economic forum […]
Ross Johnston is a visionary leader whose passion for community building and transformative change has made him a perfect fit to lead Commonwealth North into an exciting future. With over 15 years of experience at the helm of Fine Point LLC, Ross has proven himself as a dynamic business leader and marketing expert dedicated to […]
Commissioner Deena Bishop and Lori Weed, School Finance Manager, with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development spoke to Commonwealth North on Wednesday, July 17. Bishop and Weed walked through how state aid for education is determined. Using the foundation formula, adjustments, the base student allocation, and any special appropriations, Alaska school districts receive […]
Experts from finance, construction, and housing and homelessness NGOs joined Commonwealth North to explore the issues and policies that are impacting the availability and affordability of housing across Alaska. Preston Simmons, representing Housing Alaskans Public Private Partnership, Daniel Delfino with the Alaska Housing Finance Corp., Colleen Dushkin with Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Eric Visser of […]
Commissioner John Boyle recently addressed Commonwealth North to discuss implementation of Senate Bill 48, which authorizes the state to develop carbon management projects on state lands and sell carbon offset credits and to lease state lands for carbon management purposes. He also addresses the prospect for pending legislation that would authorize the state to develop […]
Rep. Ben Carpenter, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee addresses Commonwealth North’s Fiscal Policy Study Group. Carpenter outlines that the committee chose the work of the 2021 Fiscal Policy Working Group as a starting point for its efforts. The committee is considering legislation that would codify a spending cap and dividend solution in […]