AKPIRG Updates August 2023
Decay Report: Conflicts of Interest & Ethics
During these dog days of summer, AKPIRG’s Good Government unit has been busy keeping track of irregularities. We do this as a way to assure that our government, and government officials, work for Alaskans and fully comply with our ethics and conflict of interest laws. Here are some things you might have missed while enjoying the summer months.
Earlier this year, former legislator Sara Rasmussen announced her new position as GCI’s Government Affairs Director. This announcement came just a few short weeks after leaving her seat in the Alaska State House of Representatives. This was in violation of state laws that prohibit former legislators from taking lobbying positions within a year of departure from the legislature.
Rasmussen sought an advisory opinion from the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) to forgo the legal prohibitions and carry on as GCI’s in-house lobbyist. However, just a few weeks ago, the APOC commissioners rejected the proposed advisory opinion.
Last week, Governor Dunleavy and Attorney General Tregarrick Taylor re-proposed regulation changes to the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act in order to fund the personal legal fees of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Attorney general with public funds. The Dunleavy administration first tried to make this change in 2019, but were ultimately stopped when a legal opinion from Legislative Legal found the plan to be illegal.
We need your help to let the Dunleavy Administration know that Alaskans still oppose this plan and do not want to be on the hook to pay for the Governor’s ethical violations!
You can submit written comments on the proposed regulations to:
Stacie Kraly at Box 110300, Juneau, AK 99811-0300
Or, send email comments to:
ethics.regulation.public.comments@alaska.gov
Public comments are due by September 11!
Chugach Electric Proposes Rate Hike to the RCA
On June 30 Chugach Electric Association (CEA) applied to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) to revise its rates. CEA’s proposal (also known as its “rate case”) includes two rate changes. One is an interim rate hike of 3 to 4 percent for most energy consumers that will go into effect on September 1. The second is a permanent set of rate changes that would add an average of 5.8 percent to consumers’ current bills, though its impacts will vary considerably for different groups.
CEA has developed a web page with information about the rate case. It includes a bill calculator that allows people to see how the proposed interim and permanent rates will affect their monthly bill.
The Alaska Energy Transparency Project (AETP) provides thoughtful insight into all of the latest news about our electric utility coops. Check them out to learn more about our energy systems and how to meaningfully engage!
Housing Advocates: Join the Club!
AKPIRG is helping to launch a housing policy focused club. The club is a group of individuals who care about making Anchorage a more vibrant place to live, with a focus on removing barriers to building housing and directing transportation investments towards more human-centric infrastructure. We're hoping to build on our parking reform win from last year.
The club is welcoming new members! The next club meeting (our 3rd meeting) will be at the end of August. If you'd like to get involved, email Graham: graham@akpirg.org
Broadband Update: Visions of Digital Equity
This month, the Benton Institute published their “Visions of Digital Equity,” a guidebook for state offices and community advocates in writing their state digital equity plans. As all 50 states and Puerto Rico are currently in the process of making their digital equity plans, this guide offers incredible insight from community leaders and experts, helping to ensure that more voices are heard in crafting visions that increase opportunity for all.
One of those contributing voices to this guide was Brittany Woods-Orrison, Broadband Specialist for AKPIRG and Native Movement. We are so grateful to have “Broadband Brittany” on our team, giving voice to Alaskan experiences at the national level in spaces like the Benton Institute.
Congratulations, Brittany!
Choose AKPIRG for Pick.Click.Give
While PFD applications are closed, you have until August 31 to add or adjust your Pick.Click.Give pledge! If you haven't already, please consider pledging part of your PFD to AKPIRG.
Pick Click Give makes it really easy and convenient to support the work we do. You can also check out a number of our partner organizations and coalition partners and support multiple nonprofits.
Your support makes our work possible. Thank you for contributing to a better future for all Alaskans!
