October 10th, 2008
By now it is indisputable that we are headed for difficult financial times around the world for low- and medium-income families. Alaska, of course, is tied into the world economy and we will be hard hit. I would like to just reference a few resources that I think are very good on these issues, but resources which you may not be familiar with.
Nouriel Roubini’s Global EconoMonitor is an excellent source of very serious and detailed analysis of the emerging international economic crisis. a word of warning–this is not easy reading, but if you are patient your efforts will be rewarded. Note also that this is a huge site, so take some time to poke around.
Democracy Now! offers a one-hour video/audio broadcast five times per week, all of which are archived on their site for playback any time on your computer or as a podcast. This program features in-depth interviews of economists, legislators, and other experts about the economic crisis (as well as many other issues of importance). Typcially the information is offered in an easy to understand manner. Written manuscripts usually accompany each interview.
Stateside Dispatch is a twice-weekly email newsletter with a tremendous amount of information on a variety of policy issues. Recently they have had quite a few articles about the economic situation, particularly as it affects states and families. I advise signing up for the newsletter and checking out the archives. This is a very readable and comprehensive resource.
Your comments invited!
October 1st, 2008
Image by Steve Rhodes via Flickr
New Study By FamiliesUSA Jointly Released with Alaska Center for Public Policy
A new study by FamiliesUSA released today shows that over the past eight years (2000 through 2007), family health insurance premiums
for Alaska’s workers rose 5.7 times more quickly than average earnings. On average, health care premiums for families rose by 73.6 percent, while average earnings rose by only 13.0 percent.
For family health coverage in Alaska, the average annual premium (employer and worker share of premiums combined) rose from $7,456 to $12,942, an increase of $5,486. For family health coverage in the state, the employer’s portion of annual premiums rose from $5,484 to $9,901 (a difference of $4,416), while the worker’s portion rose from $1,972 to $3,041 (a difference of $1,069). Read the rest of this entry »
September 11th, 2008
When: September 2008
Who: Parks Volunteers
What: Grade your neighborhood park with an Anchorage Park Report Card
Why: To assess park needs and involve the public in improving our Anchorage neighborhood parks
Download: Report Card [note: this is a large 10 MB PDF file] for your own evaluation of your neighborhood park. See Instructions, a Park Setting Guide, and evaluation pages for:
* Outer Park Edge & Entry
* Active Recreation Areas
* Passive Recreation Areas
* Playgrounds
* Pathways
* Green Space
Read the rest of this entry »
September 6th, 2008
Vote for me. I can't vote.
September 6th, 2008
Vote for me. I can't vote.
September 3rd, 2008
Image by *Zara via Flickr Research Matters No. 38. Kids Count Alaska Data Book 2006-2007
August 25, 2008
Compared with kids around the country, Alaska’s kids are more likely to be born at a healthy weight, about as likely to live with single parents, and less likely to commit violent crimes. But kids in Alaska are more likely to be killed in accidents and less likely to graduate from high school—and fewer of those who do graduate go on to college.
These and many more measures of the well-being of children and teenagers in Alaska are reported in the new Kids Count Alaska 2006-2007 data book from ISER. These data books are funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which publishes its own national data book every year and also sponsors Kids Count programs in every state.
Printed copies of the new data book were paid for by Wells Fargo and are available from ISER; call Virgene Hanna, director of Kids Count Alaska, at 907-786-5431.
August 30th, 2008
One year ago (August 1), Minneapolis’ I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during rush hour, killing thirteen people. This tragedy is an illustration of a much larger problem—the deterioration of our nation’s infrastructure. Progressives should not be afraid to talk about spending priorities during this election. A new poll by Time magazine and the Rockefeller Foundation found that 83 percent of the public supports “increasing government spending on things like public-works projects to help create jobs.”
America’s bridges and roads need much repair. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that nearly 25 percent of bridges in the U.S.—over 152,000 bridges—are “structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.” Nearly one in four miles of urban interstate is in only “poor” or “mediocre” condition. Read the rest of this entry »
August 15th, 2008
Alaskans Go To The Polls on August 26; Have Your Questions Answered Before You Vote
Alaska Common Ground along with AARP, the League of Women Voters and Commonwealth North presents a forum on two of the initiatives on which we will be voting on August 26.
When: August 20
7:00 to 9:30 pm
Where: Marston Theater, Loussac Library
3600 Denali Street
Anchorage
Ballot Measure 3 is known as the “Clean Elections” measure. Speaking in favor of Ballot Measure 3: Read the rest of this entry »
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