Commonwealth North is Alaska's premier non-partisan public policy forum.
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What's New

July 9, 2020

July 10th: Fiscal Policy Study Group

Date:
July 10th
Time:
8am-9am
Location:
Online
Commonwealth North
Fiscal Policy Study Group
 
Future State Spending & Revenue: 
Engaging Alaskans in “What if . . .?”
 
Workgroup Meeting
 
Friday, July 10th
8am-9am
 
Online

Friday morning, the workgroups will continue reviewing drafts of their revenue/spending scenarios we are developing for a web based tool to assist Alaskans in better understanding the State’s fiscal challenge.

The event is free of charge, but please register to receive your Zoom login information.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to Friday’s program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.

July 3, 2020

July 8th: Arctic Policy Study Group

Date:
Wednesday, July 8th
Time:
8am-9:30am
Location:
Online
Arctic Policy Study Group
Study Launch
 
Wednesday, July 8th
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Online

Please join Arctic Policy Study Group Co-Chairs Mead Treadwell, Tom Barrett, Moire Bockenstedt, Bob Cox, and Gail Schubert and invited guests from our Arctic collaborators as Commonwealth North begins a new look at policies that are shaping the Arctic.

We will review the charge statement for the study group, hear from the co-chairs and collaborators, and consider the content and schedule for the coming sessions.  It is anticipated that the Arctic Policy Study Group will meet weekly on Wednesdays at 8 a.m. throughout the summer and early fall.

Please join us to explore the issues critical to the region and our state.

The program is free of charge but please register to receive your login details.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.

June 10, 2020

June 18th: Food Security Study Group

Date:
June 18th
Time:
9am-10am
Location:
Online via Zoom
Food Security Study Group
Mass Feeding Capacity and Infrastructure
Thursday, June 18th
9am-10am
We will host a panel of experts to discuss emergency feeding plans in the event of disasters or interruptions in Alaska's food supply chain.

Panelists:
Major John Brackenbury, Salvation Army | Alaska Division
Dave Williams, American Red Cross | Alaska Region
Lisa Sauder, Chief Executive Officer, Bean's Cafe
 
The event is free of charge, but please register to obtain your login information for Zoom.

How to Zoom
You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to Thursday's program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.
June 8, 2020

Thursday, June 11th: Food Security Study Group

Date:
Thursday, June 11
Time:
9am-10am
Location:
Online via Zoom
Food Security Study Group
The Port of Alaska: Critical Infrastructure for Alaska's Food Supply

 Steve Ribuffo
Port Director
Thursday, June 11
9:00am-10:00am
Steve Ribuffo 
Reflecting on the impacts of the pandemic, the November 2018 earthquake, and the status of the port, Steve will offer his perspective on the volume and reliability of shipments through the Port of Alaska, and any issues that may impede the food supply chain through the Port.
 
The program is free of charge, but please register to obtain your login information for Zoom.
 
How to Zoom
You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to Friday's program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information.
May 21, 2020

May 27th: America’s Arctic Strategy

Date:
Wednesday, May 27th
Time:
noon-1pm
Location:
Online

CWN Presents: Alaska’s Role in America’s Arctic Strategy

US Senator Dan Sullivan

Wednesday, May 27th

Online via Zoom

Noon-1:00pm

Senator Dan Sullivan

Commonwealth North is pleased to host US Senator Dan Sullivan to discuss Alaska’s role in the nation’s Arctic strategy. As we noted in our report, Why the Arctic Matters, The Arctic is vast, rich, vulnerable and vital. Our Arctic assets help feed our nation, fuel our nation, and with transport routes, supply our nation and the global economy. Our strategic location helps defend many nations. America is an Arctic nation because of Alaska and the decisions made in Washington, D.C. about the Arctic effect our state and the world.

Senator Sullivan serves on four Senate committees: the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; the Armed Services Committee; the Environment and Public Works Committee; and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information. You will also have the option to dial in by phone for audio only.   You will receive a link and phone number to join the meeting after you register.

May 18, 2020

May 29th: Fiscal Policy Study Group

Date:
Friday, May 22nd
Time:
8am-9am
Location:
Online

Fiscal Policy Study Group

New Revenue Options

Colleen Glover

Director

Alaska Department of Revenue Tax Division

Colleen’s PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded here.

Colleen Glover will discuss recent proposals for new statewide taxes and their potential for addressing the State’s fiscal gap.

This continues our series of meetings for developing a web based tool that will assist Alaskans in better understanding the State’s fiscal challenge.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to Friday’s program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information. Please log in at 7:55am.

May 13, 2020

May 15th: Fiscal Policy Study Group

Date:
Friday, May 15th
Time:
8am-9am
Location:
Online

Fiscal Policy Study Group

Nils Andreassen

Executive Director

Alaska Municipal League

Friday, May 15th

8am-9am

Online

On Friday, we will host Nils Andreassen, Executive Director of the Alaska Municipal League and a CWN board member. Nils will discuss the sources of revenue to fund local governments.

This is the first in a series of meetings that will be part of our work to develop a web based tool that will assist Alaskans in better understanding the State’s fiscal challenge.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to Friday’s program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information. Please log in at 7:55am.

May 5, 2020

May 8th: Fiscal Policy Study Group

Date:
Friday, March 8th
Time:
8am-9am
Location:
Online

Paying for Future State Services

What Alaskans Have to Say

Friday, May 8th

Online

8am-9am

Pat Pitney's Presentation
Cheryl Frasca's Presentation

On Friday, Commonwealth North will be embarking on a new project for the Fiscal Policy Study Group. We are looking for volunteers to help us organize State revenue information that will be part of an interactive web-based tool that will assist Alaskans in better understanding the State’s fiscal challenge.  If you are interested in being part of this project, please register online and join us Friday!

Pat Pitney, Director of the Legislative Finance Division, will provide an update on state revenues which will serve as a context for the study group’s next project.

About the Project

The state will be facing a dramatic shortfall in revenue available to pay for state services in FY 22. This is because one-time savings, which have propped up spending in recent years, will be depleted. The estimated shortfall is over $1 billion for a flat budget with no increases to cover the cost of inflation.     The choices and trade-offs that will be required to close this gap are expected to impact every Alaskan. To help advance understanding of the challenge, a website will be created that includes an introductory video that explains current state revenue and the seriousness of the state’s fiscal condition; and levels of background information about current and potential revenue sources. Finally, it will also include a “worksheet” from which Alaskans will select options and learn what it will take to fill the revenue shortfall.   The choices made by Alaskans on the worksheets will be reported back to CWN and compiled for a report to elected officials.   At the May 8 Study Group meeting, we will talk about the project and create small work groups to start the data collection.     Sign up and be part of engaging Alaskans in the choices that lie ahead!   The event is free of charge but limited to 100 people. Registration is required. You will receive your password by email after you register.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link emailed to you after registration. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to Friday’s program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information. Please log in at 7:55am.

April 22, 2020

April 29th: 14 Annual Review of Alaska’a Assets

Date:
Wednesday, April 29th
Time:
Noon-1:30pm
Location:
Online

CWN Presents: A Shareholder’s Report for Alaskans

Our 14th Annual Report on Alaska’s Assets

Wednesday, April 29th

Online via Zoom

Noon-1:30pm

This program has sold out.

Video will be available after the program.

The Video is available here.

The PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded here.

Additional revenue data referenced by Commissioner Mahoney.
State Investment Funds Update
Spring 2020 Revenue Forecast PPT

Commonwealth North will host a panel of experts to report on the value, income, and prospects of the State of Alaska’s key natural resource, financial, and enterprise corporation assets. As shareholders of “Alaska Inc.”, the citizens of Alaska have a vested interest in how these assets are performing. This briefing is especially critical now as Alaska prepares to meet evolving fiscal realities.

Former Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell will moderate the program. Guest speakers include Corri Feige, Commissioner of Natural Resources, Lucinda Mahoney, Commissioner of Revenue; Jim Johnsen, President of the University of Alaska; and Tom Boutin, CEO and Executive Director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority.

This signature Commonwealth North program tracks the performance of Alaska’s assets – and asset managers – and is an opportunity for you to review and evaluate the annual progress of our common wealth.   The event is limited to 100 attendees, so registration is required. It’s free for CWN members, $5 for non members. You will receive a password after you register.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to the program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information. Please log in at 11:55am. You will also have the option to dial in by phone for audio only.   You will receive a link and phone number to join the meeting after you register.  

Thank you to our program sponsor!

Northrim Bank
April 1, 2020

April 3rd: Fiscal Policy Study Group

Date:
Friday, April 3rd
Time:
8am-9am
Location:
Online

Fiscal Policy Study Group

7th Inning Stretch – The game goes on rain or shine…

Representative Jennifer Johnston

Co-Chair, House Finance Committee

Online via Zoom or by phone

Friday, April 3rd

8am-9am

Download the PowerPoint here.

On Friday, we will host Representative Jennifer Johnston to give us a recap of the legislative session focused on the budget that was passed over the weekend.

The event is free of charge but limited to 100 people. Registration is required. You will receive your password by email after you register.

How to Zoom You can join us from any computer, smart phone, or tablet by clicking the link below. If you plan to connect by tablet or smartphone, I recommend visiting Zoom.com prior to Friday’s program to download the app. You can watch this tutorial for more information. Please log in at 7:55am.

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