This is a copy of the verbal testimony APF provided to the House Ways and Means Committee on April 27, 2021. Click here to open a printable PDF of the testimony in a new […]
Testimony on HB 141 – Appropriation Limit
Webinar: Responsible Alaska Budget Q&A
Alaska is facing a budget dilemma, and as the years pass it becomes increasingly clear this financial emergency cannot be ignored. To help combat the crisis, join Alaska Policy Forum for a virtual […]
It’s Time for a Responsible Alaska Budget
By Vance Ginn, Ph.D. and Quinn Townsend Families in Alaska, whether in good or bad economic times, practice responsible, priority-based budgeting. They must make decisions, often difficult ones, on how best to spend […]
Alaska’s 2021 Business Tax Climate, Ranked
By Alex Pack Alaska ranks in the top five for having business friendly taxes. The Tax Foundation’s 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index ranked states based on the economic impact that their respective […]
Alaska’s Property Taxes, Ranked
The Tax Foundation has released a series of articles examining the reliance of state budgets on property taxes, sales taxes, and individual income taxes. Alaska does not yet have an income tax on individuals, although several bills have been introduced in […]
Alaska’s Economic Freedom, Ranked: 2020
The Fraser Institute has released the updated edition of Economic Freedom of North America 2020, which examines the extent to which every state and province – in Canada, Mexico, and the United States […]
Don’t Burden Hard-Hit Alaskans with New Taxes
This op-ed originally appeared in the Anchorage Daily News on November 22, 2020. While there have been many disagreements in households and offices across Alaska this year, there is one issue on which […]
How Much Does $100 Buy in Alaska?
Part of the Alaska, Ranked Series It’s a commonly known and grudgingly accepted fact for most people who choose to live in Alaska: Expect to pay higher prices. The Tax Foundation recently published […]
Revenue Is Down, but Spending Remains High in Alaska
By Johan Soto Over the course of the pandemic, Alaska’s revenue has plummeted, reigniting the conversation on how the state should balance its budget. The following charts provide some background for the fiscal […]
Policy Brief: A History of Alaska Oil Taxes and How They Work
By Casey Dschaak Click here to open a print-ready PDF in a new tab. Introduction All states in the union have a resource or industry they are particularly exceptional at producing and providing. Some […]
The Consequences of Ballooning Medicaid Enrollment
A recent update by Health Management Associates (HMA) shows that Alaska’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment remains disproportionately high, and enrollment is maintaining a high growth rate more than five […]
Video: Pandemic Pioneers – Alaskan Soda Jerk
Pandemic Pioneers are those Alaskans who have found success despite the shutdowns during these challenging times. The first featured pioneer is Kelsey Ingram, co-owner of Alaskan Soda Jerk. You might recognize Alaskan Soda […]
Alaska Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Blocks
Click here to open the PDF of the report in a new tab. Introduction These budget blocks are a simple, straightforward way to visualize how Alaska is spending its money and from […]
Reduce State Spending to Solve Alaska’s Budget Crisis
By Ben Wilterdink This op-ed originally appeared in the Anchorage Daily News on July 26, 2020. As Alaska’s economy continues to slowly reopen over the summer, the next major challenge facing Alaskans is […]
Federal COVID-19 Funds Come at a High Price
The CARES Act is the largest economic stimulus package ever created in the history of the United States. The $2 trillion bill was passed by the Senate on March 25, passed in the […]
Coronavirus, the Economy, and Taxes: An Alaska Opinion Survey
On June 11, 2020, I gave the following presentation on Alaska opinion survey results. Click here to open the PDF in a new tab. Here are the highlights: A hugely significant number of […]