The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Alaska

Alaska Gambles With Major Oil Tax Cut

A multi-billion dollar tax experiment could make or break Alaska’s economy and provide a lesson for other states.

Alaska State of the State Address 2013

Following is Alaska Governor Sean Parnell's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Alaska

How well is Alaska protecting kids from tooth decay?

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Alaska

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Next Elections: Races for Legislative Leadership

For aspiring legislative leaders, the elections aren’t over yet. Even as the final counts from last week’s votes are still being tallied, lawmakers who hope to be house speakers or senate presidents are courting their colleagues.

In Palin Ruling, Alaska Supreme Court OKs Personal Email for State Business

The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday said state officials may use personal email accounts to conduct official business, but some emails sent from private accounts may be subject to open records law.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in Alaska

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. One of the 12 largest banks nationwide offers checking accounts in Alaska and holds 51 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in Alaska may be paying.

Best of #StateReads: N. C. Regulators Miss Catching Cheating Businesses

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

In Alaska, Bipartisanship on the Ballot

An unusual coalition of Republicans and Democrats has led the Alaska Senate for six years, but many conservative Republicans hope it won’t continue for a seventh.

Federal Court Blocks Parts of Anti-Immigration Law in Alabama, Georgia

A federal appeals court on Monday blocked several provisions of anti-immigration laws in Alabama and Georgia, while leaving intact each state’s so-called “so me your papers” policies.

Alaska Ballot Shortage Follow Up

As noted in an earlier dispatch, the city of Anchorage, Alaska faced a troubling ballot shortage in an April mayoral election. An investigation noted one main cause was a miscalculation in planning for how many ballots would be needed.

Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001–2012

Private, independent credit rating agencies evaluate states’ financial health. States with the lowest grades typically have trouble keeping their spending in line with their tax revenues.

Several U.S. States Deemed Best Global Oil and Gas Investments

Oklahoma is the best place on earth to invest in oil and gas development, according to a survey of energy executives. Six other states joined it in the top 10.

Widening Gap Update: Alaska

Alaska paid, or exceeded, its full annual pension contribution twice from 2005 to 2010.

Election Planning in Anchorage, Alaska

Predicting how many voters will turn out for an election is not just the speculation of campaigns and pundits. Election officials need to plan for both how many ballots they need and how those ballots will be distributed across polling places.

In Oil-Rich Alaska, Will the Good Times Last?

High oil prices are a boon for Alaska, whose credit rating recently went up to the coveted triple-A level. But waning oil production, unpredictable prices and looming pension costs remain challenges.

Alaska State of the State Address 2012

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 18 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sean Parnell's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Lieutenant Governor, distinguished guests and fellow Alaskans, this evening we continue a tradition that speaks to the strength of our republic. Alaska's Cons

Election Websites: Alaska

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Abolishing a State Income Tax Is Easier Said Than Done

Conservatives in several states are hatching plans to take income taxes off the books. The question they must answer is whether they would replace lost revenues with other taxes or simply cut services.

In a Year of Cuts, Some College Presidents Get a Raise

EDUCATION BEAT: Top higher education officials have gotten raises wthout controversy in Alaska and Montana, but a proposed increase in Utah has incited responses from angry legislators and the governor.

Dividend Day in Alaska Brings $1,174 Checks

TODAY'S TAKE: On a live TV broadcast aired statewide on Tuesday (September 20), Alaska Governor Sean Parnell tore open a golden envelope and revealed the amount that each resident will receive this year just for living in Alaska.

Pentagon Cuts Have Military States Worried

The federal debt-reduction deal contains at least $350 billion - but perhaps as much as $950 billion - in defense spending cuts over 10 years. Some states see serious problems for their military-dependent economies.

As Shuttle Program Ends, States Step Up Roles in Space

With NASA focused on deep-space missions, the federal government is increasingly turning to private companies to handle more routine flights. Now, states are competing to lure the space entrepreneurs-and the high-tech jobs they promise-to their new or refashioned launch facilities.

Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Falters

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Low natural gas prices undercut plans for a pipeline from Alaska to the Lower 48 ... Florida's environmental agency ends fight against global warming ... Montana limits environmental review challenges, and more energy and environment news.

California, New Jersey Offer Low-Fee Unemployment Cards

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: California and New Jersey offer the best prepaid cards with the fewest fees to access unemployment benefits … Florida uses Twitter to help find homes for foster children ... Nine states could face penalties for missing welfare's work participation thresholds, and other social policy news.

In Alaska, High Oil Prices Spark an Unusual Budget Fight

Alaska lawmakers face an enviable predicament: what to do with a gusher of oil revenues flowing into the state treasury. The question has led to a surprising power struggle between Governor Sean Parnell and a bipartisan coalition in the state Senate.

Children's Dental Health: Alaska

Alaska meets six of the eight policy benchmarks—one more than it met in 2010.

Several States Wrap Up Their Budgets

TODAY'S TAKE: Lawmakers in Connecticut, Florida, Missouri and Vermont have finished their budgets or are expected to do so this week, while Alaska is closing in on a deal to end a divisive special session over spending.

Measuring Transportation Investments: Alaska

A May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Surging Oil Prices Deliver Huge Surplus to Alaska

TODAY'S TAKE: With more than $11 billion already in its savings accounts, Alaska is projecting a new $3.4 billion surplus because of soaring oil prices. The debate now turns to what to do with all the money. 'Really, how much is enough?' Governor Sean Parnell asks, pushing lawmakers to approve tax cuts.

Alaska State of the State Address 2011

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 19 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sean Parnell's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Lieutenant Governor Treadwell, fellow Alaskans, thank you for joining us. The State of the State address is a time to take stock of the progress we've made together. In

LePage Struggles to Fill Maine Cabinet Due to Salary Concerns

TRANSITION WATCH: Maine's governor-elect says top choices for key roles have turned him down, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell promises a fight with the feds over Medicaid funding, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Trickle of Democratic Legislators Become Republicans

TRANSITION WATCH: Fewer state-level Democrats are becoming Republicans than in 1994, new Speakers of the House are elected in Montana and Tennessee and other news of the historic shift in power in the states

Deval Patrick Asks His Cabinet for Resignation Letters

TRANSITION WATCH: The request of Massachusetts' governor that cabinet members reapply for their jobs, West Virginia's shy new chief executive, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Alaska's Governor Shakes Up Gas Pipeline Team

TRANSITION WATCH: Alaska's Sean Parnell dismisses cabinet members working on a massive infrastructure project, Ohio's incoming House Speaker calls for Medicaid cuts, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Despite Debt Fears, Voters OK Most State Bond Measures

Where borrowing was on the ballot Tuesday, voters usually said yes. Meanwhile, Colorado affirmed its ability to issue debt.

Serving the Wide Open Spaces

Representing rural constituents is a chore when it takes a day's drive for a legislator to reach them. The problem is about to get worse.

On the Ballot in Alaska: Transparency

After seeing money flow in unusual ways through a pair of controversial campaigns, Alaska has made some changes to its ballot initiative process. Also: Stateline's updated guide to what's on state ballots in 2010.

Are There Enough Docs for the Newly Insured?

After Massachusetts started rolling out its 2006 law to ensure that nearly every one of its residents had health insurance, the sudden influx of newly insured patients created long waits to see primary care doctors. Now, physicians worry the entire country could see the same thing happen when the recently passed national health law takes full effect in 2014.

More States Drop Out of 'Race'

TODAY'S TAKE: Alaska and Texas raised eyebrows last year when they declined to join the "Race to the Top," the Obama administration's effort to revamp the nation's K-12 schools by handing out $4.35 billion in grants to states that change their education policies. But with 40 jurisdictions applying and only two winners announced in the first round of the competition, more states are deciding not to participate in round two.

What's the Fuss Over Lieutenant Govs?

Naming a new lieutenant governor in California has been no easy task. At one point last month, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Democratic leaders of the Assembly fought over whether the Assembly had actually approved Schwarzenegger's pick for the post. In California, as in several other states, it's hard to keep in mind that the lieutenant governor's office is primarily designed to be a sort of insurance policy in case something happens to the governor. Instead, in several states like California, the position recently has been a political liability. The intrigue is even more baffling because many of the most hotly contested fights are in states where the lieutenant governor's powers are relatively weak.

States Tackling Public Employee Retirement Benefits in 2010

Since legislatures convened last month, at least 16 states are weighing changes to their worker pension plans. Employees, retirees and unions say they will contest some of the proposals.

The Trillion Dollar Gap: Alaska

Alaska's management of its long-term pension liability is cause for serious concerns, but it is one of the nation’s top two performers, along with Arizona, in addressing the bill coming due for retiree health care and other benefits.

Weekly Wrap: In Gloomy Times, Alaska Bounces Back

Oil price increases fuel Alaska's $2.2 billion budget surplus; Delaware sees at least five more years of slow revenue growth; and President Obama calls on Congress to continue a popular municipal bond program.

Summary of the Alaska State of the State Address

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell used his first state of the state address to call for new merit scholarships to Alaska universities, a two-year suspension of the state's gas tax and stepped-up measures to stop an "epidemic" of domestic violence and rape.

Alaska State of the State Address 2010

JUNEAU, Alaska - Jan. 20 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sean Parnell's (R) 2010 state of the state address: Lieutenant Governor Craig Campbell, President Gary Stevens, Speaker Mike Chenault, cabinet members, legislators, my family - Sandy, Grace and Rachel. Thank you for joining us. Tonight, we r

Report: 11 States Emerging From Recession

It's going to be a long, hard climb out of the current economic downturn for many recession-ridden states hit hard by the housing crash, unemployment and shrinking revenues. But as the national economy starts its slow recovery, 11 states and the District of Columbia are showing signs of emerging from the recession, according to a new report.

One in 31: Alaska

1 in 36 adults in Alaska is under correctional control.

Tracking the Recession – Much Ado About a Small Stimulus Pot

After weeks of speculation and intense political pressure, a reluctant Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford on Friday (April 3) became the last governor to formally notify the White House that he plans to accept at least some federal dollars from the stimulus package - but the controversy is far from over.

Tracking the Recession: Gloom in Alaska

Alaska's 22-year string of adding jobs is about to end, economists say, as the price of oil falls along with state revenue.