Project Nickel is a tool that makes it easy for parents and policymakers alike to understand how much is spent per student at a school by bundling together the most informative statistics and […]
Project Nickel Enhances Education Transparency
Compensation Costs for Executive Branch Exempt Employees
In light of the recent brouhaha regarding State of Alaska Executive Branch exempt employees, we are making available the following list with names and the associated costs to the state of compensating all […]
#OutsideMoney Influencing Alaska’s November Election
If you are a frequent reader of the work of the Alaska Policy Forum, you will know that we highly value government and campaign transparency. To that end, we are pleased to introduce a […]
How do we regulate the regulators?
The State of Alaska has 142 active boards and commissions that regulate professions such as doctors, trades such as hairdressers, and industries such as fishing. While most of the Alaska Policy Forum’s attention […]
2018 Alaska Legislature Grades
2018 Alaska Legislator Report Card now available!
IMPORTANT UPDATE to our Legislator Report Card as of August 17, 2018: The Alaska Policy Forum has learned that a technical issue has resulted in changes to our Legislator Report Card. An eagle-eyed […]
Impacts of Ballot Measure 1 on Alaska
The Senate State Affairs Committee held a meeting earlier this summer to learn the impacts to our state if Ballot Measure 1 passes in November. None of the presenters took a position on […]
Exposing the Outsiders Trying to Influence Alaska Elections
Alaska Policy Forum board member Paula Easley was recently published in the Anchorage Daily News opinion section where she was clear: the most critical issues facing our state should be left in the hands […]
Municipality of Anchorage Voter Turnout History 1975 – 2018
412 Anchorage City Employees Cost More than the Mayor in 2017
True to one of our guiding principles that government should be limited and as transparent as possible, we are providing the most recent annual payroll for the Municipality of Anchorage. We believe it […]
Newly released: Anchorage School District Payroll
The Anchorage teachers union wants a 3% pay raise for its members. Fact: the median salary and benefits for a full time ASD employee is $ 90,506. Benefits account for 32% of this total.
Online maps of 2017 Alaska public school test results now available
The Alaska Policy Forum has released online maps visually depicting school test results from the recently released Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools, or PEAKS. The PEAKS assessment is a general overview of public […]
The Hidden costs of the ASD contracts
An analysis of the Anchorage School District contracts finds cost estimates significantly higher than the estimates provided by the ASD to the school board.
Ten Transparency Principles
The transparency group Sunlight Foundation has followed up on its 2007 list of “8 Principles of Open Government,” extending the list to ten must-do’s for proper public access to information.
Alaska Watchdog:Boroughs to end financial disclosure laws
An often overlooked provision in Alaska statute allows cities to exempt themselves from campaign financial disclosure requirements, and several Alaskan boroughs have made the move to include the exemptions on the upcoming October ballots.
Report: True transparency makes budget trimming easier
(Kansas Policy Institute) As revenues decline, local government is faced with the decision to raise taxes, which could risk citizens leaving for better tax structure, or trim and cut government growth. Better budget information could make the decision easier.