The AKPIRG Advocate, May 2024
BREAKING:
Alaska Supreme Court decision allows Valdez to continue pursuit of Hilcorp's financial secrets
Advocates for transparency gather in front of the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage, June 2023. Photo by Tanner Johnson.
Last June, we were joined by so many of you, our fellow Alaskans, at the Alaska Supreme Court to support the City of Valdez in its fight for public access to Hilcorp’s financial information.
We filled the courtroom and it made a difference.
On Friday, almost a year later, the Alaska Supreme Court issued an opinion that will allow the City of Valdez to continue that fight for transparency. This is a monumental win, overcoming some key procedural hurdles and allowing the case to proceed to the heart of the issue–Alaskans’ right to know basic financial information in the largest oil deal of our generation.
Visit our website to get a full recap of the case, the Supreme Court's decision, and what comes next:
AKPIRG in the Capitol:
Pushing Bills to the Finish Line
The end of the legislative session is fast approaching, and lawmakers and their staff are working around the clock to push new policies through to the finish line. This means, too, that AKPIRG staff are diligently following the progress of all sorts of bills – advocating for good bills, against bad bills, and making sure that the public interest is being prioritized at every step of the legislative process.
Natalie Kiley-Bergen, the fearless leader of our Energy Team, spent some time at the Capitol this week working with legislators and their staff on a whole collection of bills related to energy transmission and regulation, namely Senate Bill 217 and House Bill 307. AKPIRG's team of energy experts have been a resource to legislators and staffers on these bills, making sure that they include provisions that are in the public's best interest.
But it's not just energy bills that we're following: Senate Bill 165 and Senate Bill 17 both aim to right some wrongs done to the integrity and ethics of Alaska's government. SB 165 would undo AG Treg Taylor’s bungling of our ethics laws, reversing his decision to allow state officials to use state funds to defend themselves against ethics complaints. SB 17 would reinstate limits to political campaign contributions – a policy that the Alaskan people have time and time again voted to support. Read the op-ed about the moral imperative to pass these bills by Robin O'Donoghue, AKPIRG Special Projects Lead:
As AKPIRG has grown in the past few years, so has our presence in the Capitol. Being physically present in Juneau amplifies the difference that we're able to make on policies that affect all Alaskans, but we couldn't be there without the continued support of our community. Make a donation today to help our public interest advocates deepen their influence on these important state policies:
Thank you for the support! We'll keep you updated on the trajectory of these bills!
AKPIRG Shifts to a Four Day Workweek
Dear AKPIRG supporters,
For the second year in a row, AKPIRG will be observing a four day work week this summer, with our offices closed on Friday. Last summer, our four day work week pilot was a success. I’m proud that, in March, our Board approved an interim four day workweek policy in order to give time for our permanent Director, Veri, to review a permanent policy when they return from their sabbatical (next month!).
On a personal note, in my own experience doing advocacy work professionally for the past decade, I have seen and experienced burnout that comes from doing this work due to its fast-paced, high stakes, and emotional nature. Wellness policies including paid sabbaticals and four day workweeks aren’t just a nice-to-have, they are a requirement for the health of our workforce and movements.
In my time with AKPIRG, first as a Board Director and now as Interim Director, I have appreciated our organization’s ability to be visionary and unencumbered by notions of how-things-have-always-been-done. While in some ways this policy is a small shift, I hope that it signals AKPIRG’s continued commitment to living our core values: justice, accountability, and community. With this, I would also like to express my gratitude to our close partner and collaborator, Native Movement, who shared their experiences with implementing a four day workweek policy with us as we moved through this process.
Thank you for your support!
Sydney Scout
Interim Executive Director, AKPIRG
Vote in the Anchorage Mayoral Runoff Election!
Calling all Anchorage voters: make sure your ballots for the mayoral runoff election are in a drop box or in the mail, or that you've voted in person by 8pm on MAY 14! 🗳
Voters have until 8pm on election day, May 14, to bring their ballots to a secure ballot drop box, postmark their ballot at the post office, or vote in person at a voting center.
Keep your eyes peeled for your ballot in your mailbox, and make sure your friends and family return their ballots on time! 👏
CEA and GVEA ratepayers:
Vote in your Utility Board Elections!
Art by Jill Richie (jillrichieart.com, @jill.richie.art)
You have the power as a member-owner of your utility company to demand investments in cheaper, cleaner energy for the long term. That power starts with your vote.
If you live in Anchorage or the interior and you pay a bill to Chugach Electric or Golden Valley Electric, you still have time to cast your vote!
The Alaska Energy Transparency Project (AETP) has all the info you need to vote and stay updated on these elections, from candidate questionnaires to election results. Check out AETP's elections page to learn more:
