An engaged Alaskan democracy

North to the Future: Keeping us from heading south

Alaska Common Ground and Nerd Nite explored Alaska’s Future Economy, Tuesdays, 7-9 pm at the 49th State Brewing Company.

AK LNG: Pipeline or pipedream?

Tuesday, October 11th, 7-9 pm, free admission
49th State Brewing Company, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage

  • Cliff Groh, Chair of Alaska Common Ground and UAA Adjunct Professor
  • John Hendrix, Chief Oil and Gas Advisor to the Governor
  • Larry Persily, former Federal Coordinator, Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects
  • Eric Wohlforth, Bond Counsel and former Alaska Commissioner of Revenue

Bud, Brew, and Beer: The emergence of marijuana, coffee, and beer industries in Alaska

Tuesday, October 18th, 7-9 pm, free admission
49th State Brewing Company, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage

  • Jason Brandeis, UAA Professor – Marijuana industry
  • Jon White, owner of SteamDot – coffee industry
  • Ryan Makinster, Executive Director Brewers Guild of Alaska – beer industry

Reimagining our Place in the World: Transportation and a brighter Alaska

Tuesday, October 25th, 7-9 pm, free admission
49th State Brewing Company, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage

  • Bill Popp, Anchorage Economic and Development Corporation
  • John Parrot (ANC Airport Manager)
  • Doug Berry (UPS Manager)

The Technological Frontier: New technology and the gig economy in Alaska

Tuesday, November 1st, 7-9 pm, free admission
49th State Brewing Company, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage

  • Katherine Jernstrom, Cofounder + CEO, The Boardroom
  • Jon Bittner, VP AEDC
  • Elizabeth Pierce, CEO Quintillio
  • Heather Handyside, GCI

Past the Election and through the Woods: Elected official fiscal forum discussion

Tuesday, November 15th, 7-9 pm, free admission, suggested $10 donation
49th State Brewing Company, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage

The State of Alaska’s deficit this year is more than two-thirds of the budget, and this is the fifth year in a row savings have financed the deficit. Those savings we have relied upon to finance the deficit look very likely to run out in less than two years. What is the plan to avoid having the budget airplane crash into the fiscal cliff?

Handout describing the State of Alaska’s Fiscal Circumstances.

Participants included:

  • Senate President Kevin Meyer
  • Rep. Ivy Spohnholz
  • Rep.-Elect Jennifer Johnston
  • State Tax Division Director Ken Alper