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 […]
Alaska’s Economic Freedom, Ranked: 2020
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 […]
Alaska’s Budget Deficit Worsened Due to COVID-19: Tax Alaskans or Tighten Our Belts?
Click here to open the PDF in a new tab. Introduction Across the country, states’ economies and budgets have been hit heavily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and unfortunately, Alaska is no exception. […]
Alaska’s Other Post-Employment Benefit Liabilities, Ranked
A recent report by the American Legislative Exchange Council revealed the significant financial toll of Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) Liabilities, which include health insurance, life insurance, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and more for retired […]
Alaska Should Reduce Regulatory Hurdles to Help Economy Recover from COVID-19
This article originally appeared in the Anchorage Daily News on April 28, 2020. Quick and early action in Alaska has the state doing better than much of the Lower 48 in the number of […]
Reforms Needed for Alaska Judicial Selection Process
The Missouri Plan selection process for judges in Alaska was intended to be unbiased and nonpartisan, and some would argue that this is the case. But current drama demonstrates otherwise. Unlike in other […]
It’s Time for a Spending Cap That Works
By Ben Wilterdink This op-ed originally appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, the Peninsula Clarion, the Ketchikan Daily News, and the People’s Paper. Alaska is in the midst of a perfect fiscal storm. […]