A Short Report on Alaska
I have read many of the reports concerning the target states for the Free State
Project and I am compelled to offer a short report on my home state of Alaska.
This report will not throw statistics around nor is it a "for or against"
report. I am submitting it to dispel the somewhat rosy picture that the two
Alaska reports paint. This report is a "reality check".
The reports previously submitted are to be commended in regards to statistics
and facts. Mostly, they are accurate. Yet, neither report tells anyone "how it
really is" to live in Alaska.
Let me begin by saying that I am a resident of Alaska having moved here from
Nebraska in the fall of 1992. I am married with six children. At present, only
the youngest three remain at home.
I live on the Kenai Peninsula near a little place on the map called Anchor
Point. I live on the road system in a small cabin with my family. If you
live in a city you are an urban Alaskan. If you live on the road system you are
a rural Alaskan. If you live off of the road system you are a bush Alaskan.
I am a public speaker and travel "Outside" (anywhere outside of Alaska) twice a
year on speaking tours. The Kenai Peninsula is sometimes regarded as the
"Banana belt of Alaska" with winter temperatures that can get to 35 below zero
and as high as the low 80's in the summer, but it is usually not that extreme.
It is typically rainy in the late summer with large amounts (12-16 feet) of
snow in the winter.
The southern coastal area is called the South Central part of Alaska and the
climate is controlled by the Japanese current which carries much moisture and
milder temperatures to my area.
North and west of the Alaska range is considered the Interior of Alaska. It is
here that Alaska sees temperatures as low as 50-60 below zero (the record is
-100) with summertime highs in the 90's. It is a drier climate with less snow
and rain.
The northern most part of Alaska (north of the Brooks Range) is considered the
"slope". It is here that the temperatures are the most extreme. It is not a
highly populated area.
One factor that affects some people are the long winter nights. The lengthy
darkness in the winter affects many people. The old timers call it cabin fever.
There is a medical term for it, but I can't recall what it is at the moment. It
is a depletion of the vitamin balance in your body that sunlight usually gives
you. It doesn't bother me at all. It can be treated by installing full spectrum
lighting in your home or going to a tanning salon. The long winter nights seem
to be particularly hard on the women. Where I live the sun rises just at 10
a.m. and sets just after 3 p.m. on winter solstice. The days are even shorter
the farther north that you go until you reach the Arctic Circle and beyond that
the sun doesn't even rise. The opposite is true in the summer.
At present Alaska does not have any state income or state sales taxes. This may
be changing in the not too distant future as Alaska is experiencing a runaway
budget. However, when, not if, these taxes are imposed they will most likely be
the lowest in the nation in the beginning. Many cities have a city sales tax
and many of the boroughs have a borough sales tax. (We have boroughs, not
counties). It is no longer true that mineral royalties pay for 85% of the
budget. A great part of the state budget is now carried by the rapidly
depleting Constitutional Budget Reserve, our state savings account.
Alaska is an "owner state", meaning that the people own the mineral rights
collectively and rarely individually. Very few landowners own their mineral
rights. Alaska does not control the destiny of its oil. It cannot be exported
by law. It is for domestic use only. My understanding is that this is a federal
thing and not subject to change.
Employment is a bleak proposition in Alaska. While professionals, construction
trades and those businesses supporting them flourish to a great degree, a very
large portion of the remainder of Alaskans struggle with seasonal work at low
wages. Here on the Kenai Peninsula we have a 4% unemployment rate in the summer
and a 14-17% unemployment rate in the winter. 58% of the kids at the local
school are at or below the poverty rate. It is a little better up north. All
industries, or what is left of them, are fully manned. Don't come here
believing that you will get a job on an oil rig or on the slope. It won't
happen unless you know someone. Fishing is a dying industry. Timber is
history. This year's tourism numbers are down 30%. Far too many jobs are
seasonal service jobs at minimum wage. The opening of ANWR will not create a
boom economy for Alaska like the pipeline did in the 70's.
Our legislature is predominately Republican, with most of those being
moderates. The Alaskan Independence Party would be sympathetic to the free
state cause, but the agenda of all AIP members is a new statehood vote with
many AIP members embracing secession and nothing else. I believe that the AIP,
as well as the Libertarian Party, would expect FSP'ers to join their ranks and
not the other way around. Many AIP'ers reject the Libertarian Party because it
is a national party, while the AIP is only a state party. They are not as
chummy as they would have you believe.
Contrary to what you may believe, there is no free land in Alaska. 97% of the
state is publicly owned. Do not expect this to change, even with 20,000 new
voters. The Natives hold a great portion of it and they eagerly prosecute
trespassers. The Homestead programs are history. All state land is disposed of
by lottery or over the counter sales, with prices based on current assessments
and requires a survey and sometimes some type of development at the cost of
several thousands of dollars before title is given. Bush land is incredibly
expensive to access. Some good wilderness land is available this way, as well
as some rural and urban parcels. But, it is not free. Right now, real estate in
Anchorage is at an all time high. House prices in Anchorage are through the
roof. If you are a seller, good for you. But, if you're a buyer, good luck.
Bring lots of cash. Lots.
Agriculture is a tough proposition. However, many folks do grow awesome gardens
due to the long summer days, but many things require early starts in the house
as well as a green house. It can be done and done well, but it requires a lot
of attention. The Matanuska Valley is the agricultural center of the state.
Dairy farming is one of the leading agricultural industries. Hay production
also ranks right up there. Current hay (timothy grass) prices are $300 per ton.
Alfalfa is shipped in from Canada. Pricey.
Hunting regulations are tough and strictly enforced. Poachers are scum here and
few Alaskans think twice about reporting them. If you poach, be prepared to pay
thousands in fines and confiscated equipment. Getting to game is the most
difficult and expensive thing that I have ever experienced. The terrain does
not favor the hunter. Fishing is very regulated and competitive as well.
There is lots of water here. Half or more of the state is marsh. Much, but
certainly not all of the subsurface water has a high sulfur and iron content.
My well is 18 feet deep and I have great water. My neighbor down the road had
to go 100 feet and buy a filter system to make it potable.
Homeschooling is a breeze here, but will be facing local and state monitoring
and accountability challenges in the near future. The public school system is
good at the elementary level. Above that it's like anywhere else. If you live
in a bush community it will be a native community and they can be very
prejudiced against whites.
Yes, there is a dividend program here. This program pays each state resident a
percentage of the mineral revenues received annually. This year's dividend will
be about $1,100 for each Alaskan man, woman, and child. It can take up to two
years to qualify. The politicians are trying very hard to take it away to cover
budget deficits. They will succeed someday in eliminating it or diminishing it.
DO NOT MOVE HERE FOR THE DIVIDEND! You will starve before you are eligible to
get it.
Prices can be comparable to Outside (except housing). Anchorage has every store
known to man, including Costco and Wal-Mart. A gallon of milk is near $3 in
Anchorage. It's more where I live, close to $4. Gas is $1.81 a gallon. Propane
is $2 per gallon.
I know that I do not paint a good picture of Alaska. I do this on purpose.
What I want to impress upon everyone who considers Alaska as their state of
choice is that they need to understand that this is a tough place to live. Do
not come here expecting to live like Jeremiah Johnson. I tried. it didn't work.
You will be separated from your family in the lower 48. You may not see them
for a long time. Some of you will be resented by your family for leaving and
taking the grand kids away. When you get here you most likely will not have
family here or know any one. It will be tough to find affordable housing. It
will be tough to find work. 20,000 people looking for work in Alaska at once or
even over a long period may cause problems. People will distance themselves
from you for a while; first to see what your game is, secondly because very few
people here stay and folks are reluctant to make friends when they might leave
next year. The town of Homer has a turnover rate of people moving in and out of
65% annually. If Alaska is chosen as the state to go to expect half to return
back to their original homes.
The military presence is here to stay. They contribute greatly to our economy
and are very welcome by nearly all Alaskans.
On the bright side, Alaska is like no other place on earth. It is the living
embodiment of wild. You can live how you want with little criticism from
anyone. The man with a $250,000 log home may live next door to a family that
lives in a school bus, with no sense of arrogance. If you pull your own weight,
you're OK. If you're on welfare, you're out. You can walk across the yard and
encounter a mama moose and her calves. You may go fishing at the river and
encounter a grizzly. With one inexpensive hunting license you can hunt moose,
black bear, blacktail deer, caribou, sheep, and goats in some areas, without
special permits. If you love to fish, there's no place like it. If you love to
hike it cannot be beat. If you think earthquakes and volcanoes are cool (I do),
then this is the place.
The people of Alaska are fiercely independent. Much of the "code of the north"
still remains, but is being diluted by newcomers. Our famous Senator Ted
Stevens does an awesome job of bringing Federal money to the state, but the
state has become dependent upon it and sadly, all this federal money has made
Alaska dependent upon the Feds. A lot of Alaskans want this Federal money. (I
don't.)
One thing that I found very unique to Alaska was the ease of buying property.
A very large percentage of property, including turnkey homes are owner
financed, making it much easier to buy your own place here than any other
place. I would have never been able to buy my own place Outside, but here I own
10 acres with a cabin and a house slowly under construction.
Some of the discussion on the forum talks of secession. There seems to be quite
a bit of support for it by some of the Alaska advocates. Let me say this:
forget it. While there are some here in Alaska that are secessionists, they are
few in number. It is not as prevalent of a sentiment here as some would lead
you to believe. Everyone I know and talk to is an American first and Alaskan
second.
A voting force of 20,000 people will make a huge difference and thwart the
moderate and liberal influences at work here in the state. Spread out in
strategic areas, these voters will turn the tide of power away from those
influences and establish a very welcome relief for many Alaskans. Forget the
arguments of which party to join. There will be enough to start a new party,
the Free State Party. (Just a thought.) Every election will reflect this
influence. Personally, I pray for it to happen.
But, let me remind you all, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT.
If Alaska becomes the state of choice, let me help you move here. I can tell
you what to bring and what to leave behind. I can tell you how to get your guns
here. DON'T BELIEVE ANY STORIES ABOUT GUNS! I cross the international border
eight times a year. I know. I can tell you what you need when you get here. I
could write a book on how to move to Alaska.
If you all decide to come, count me as your first friend and neighbor. But,
really think about it first. It's not like moving across the county.
Alaska Report
by Joseph Littlejohn
Author's Disclaimer:
I am personally biased on the issue of FSP state selection. I currently own
property in Alaska, and love the state for a variety of reasons. This paper
is written, for the most part, from an advocacy point of view, although a few
counter-arguments are grudgingly offered.
Many
would agree that the major criteria affecting state selection are
?livability? and the potential for affecting the local political process.
This paper will concentrate on what I believe are the major attributes
that make Alaska a good choice for the Free State.
In brief these criteria are:
1) general environmental
livability, including climate and weather
2)? infrastructure, industry,
employment
3) the existing political/cultural environment, including indigenous
parties sympathetic to FSP goals, voter trends and current law
4) overall geopolitical factors and potential future relations with
the Federal government
________________________________________
Livability
- climate and weather
_________________________________________
Winter
temperatures in Alaska are often assumed to be extreme, and in certain
areas they can be. However, during winter, it can actually be warmer
in the Anchorage area and the surrounding Matanuska-Susitna borough
than in certain parts of the lower 48. This is due to the warming
effect of the ocean which provides a moderating influence on the local
climate. ________________________________________________________________________
The
normal daily mean temperature in January, for selected cities, in
degrees Fahrenheit
International Falls, MN ???????????
2.7 F
Mt. Washington, NH ??????????????? 5.2
F
Grand Forks, ND ????????????????????
5.3 F
Nome, AK ????????????????? 5.8
F
Duluth, MN ????????????????????????????
8.4 F
Caribou, ME ???????????????????????????
9.5 F
Glasgow, MT ??????????????????????????
10.8 F
Sioux Falls, SD ???????????????????????
14.0 F
Alamosa, CO ??????????????????????????
14.7 F
Green Bay, WI ?????????????????????????
15.6 F
Anchorage, AK ?????????? 15.8
F
Burlington, VT ???????????? 18.0
F
Concord, NH ??????????????????????????
20.1 F
Portland, ME ???????????????????????????
21.7 F
Chicago, IL ?????????????????????????????
22.0 F
Casper, WY ?????????????????????????????
22.3 F
Pocatello, ID ??????????????????????????
24.4 F
Elko, NV ?????????????????????????????????
25.6 F
Juneau, AK ???????????????? 25.7
F
Kodiak, AK ??????????????? 29.7
F
Wilmington, DE ??????????????????????
31.5 F
___________________________
As can be seen in the following list, on average, Anchorage receives
less snow than many areas in the lower 48 states.
____________________________________________________________________
Average
Snowfall in January for selected cities, in inches;
Alamosa, CO ?????????????? 4.3
in
Glasgow, MT ?????????????? 6.7
in
Wilmington, DE ?????????? 6.8
in
Sioux Falls, SD ??????????? 7.0
in
Pocatello, ID ?????????????? 9.7
in
Casper, WY ????????????????? 10.0
in
Elko, NV ????????????????????? 10.1
in
Anchorage, AK ?? 10.5 in
Nome, AK ????????? 10.6 in
Chicago, IL ????????????????? 11.1
in
Green Bay, WI ????????????? 11.9
in
International Falls, MN 12.9 in
Kodiak, AK ??????? 15.3 in
Duluth, MN ???????????????? 17.8
in
Concord, NH ?????????????? 17.9
in
Burlington, VT 19.3 in
Portland, ME ??????????????? 19.4
in
Caribou, ME ??????????????? 24.4
in
Juneau, AK ???????? 25.7 in
Mt. Washington, NH ??? 40.8 in
---------------------------
The summers are fairly moderate, with Anchorage having a mean temperature
of 58.8 F in July. This is comparable to the San Francisco area, which
is moderated by ocean winds during the summer, and has a mean temperature
of 61.3 F in July. Likewise, Eureka CA, also on the coast, attains
a mean of 58.1 F.
The shorter length of days in the far north during winter will certainly
be a concern for some people, especially those that suffer to some
extent from Seasonal Affective Disorder. However, only areas above
the arctic circle (125 miles above Fairbanks) will ever experience
24 hours of darkness or light. In Anchorage, at winter solstice, daylight
lasts about 5 1/2 hours. However, at summer solstice, the day is about
19 1/2 hours long. (recall that during the equinox, the length of
day and night are equal, and the same at all locations on the earth
).
____________________________________________________________________________________
Sunshine
- average percentage possible for local area, January
(accounts for cloud cover and precipitation)
Seattle, WA ????????????????? 28%
Grand Rapids, MI ???????? 28%
Juneau, AK ???????? 32%
Mt. Washington, NH ??? 32%
Anchorage, AK ?? 34%
Nome, AK ????????? 40%
Boise, ID ???????????????????? 40%
Burlington, VT 41%
Duluth, MN ???????????????? 48%
Green Bay, WI ????????????? 49%
Fargo, ND ?????????????????? 50%
Concord, NH ?????????????? 52%
Portland, ME ??????????????? 56%
Sheridan, WY ?????????????? 57%
------------------------
A
side note about growing seasons;
Strange as it may sound, Alaska has a farming and agriculture industry.
Output includes various vegetable crops, grain and livestock. The
greatly increased hours of daylight during summer tend to offset the
effect of shorter seasons. Chief crops farmed are barley, oats, hay,
potatoes, lettuce. Livestock raised are cattle, sheep, reindeer, bison,
and poultry.
(It's
reported that the intense growing season produced a particularly fast
growing, potent variety of marijuana which contributed to its later
re-criminalization - this "cash crop" has been "discovered"
growing as far north as Fairbanks.)
________________________________________________________________________
Average
growing season for selected cities and regions, in days
Portland, ME ??????????????? 173
d
Juneau, AK ???????? 172 d
Kodiak, AK ??????? 160 d
southern, NH ????????????? 150
d
Bismarck, ND ????????????? 140
d
Anchorage, AK ?? 125 d
Valdez, AK ???????? 116 d
northern, VT ?????????????? 100
d
------------------------
__________________________________________________________________
LIVABILITY
- infrastructure, industry, employment
__________________________________________________________________
Salaries
and wages:
Interestingly, Alaska ranked number 1 in 1990 at an average wage of
$29,946 per year, but dropped to 11 in 1999, although the actual wage
increased to $34,000.
In 2000, the per capita income in Anchorage was $27, 852.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Average
annual pay for selected states - year 1999
state ?????????????????????????? dollars
??????????? ranking
Delaware ???????????????????? 35,102
??????????? 8
Alaska ????????????????????? 34,034
????? 11
New Hampshire ????????? 32,139
??????????? 17
Nevada ??????????????????????? 31,213
??????????? 19
Vermont ????????????????????? 27,595
??????????? 34
Wyoming ???????????????????? 25,639
??????????? 44
Idaho ????????????????????????? 26,042
??????????? 41
Montana ????????????????????? 23,253
??????????? 49
------------------------------------
General Anchorage Area Demographics
Income and Poverty:
Median Household Income:??????????????
$ 55,546
Per Capita Income: ?????????????????????????????
$ 25,287
Population in Poverty: ??????????????????????
18,682
Percent in Poverty: ????????????????????????????
7.4%
Employment:
Workforce ( Age 16 and over): ????????
192,782
Civilian Employed: ?????????????????????????????
125,737
Military Employed:?????????????????????????????
8,503
Unemployed: ??????????????????????????????????????
9,110
Not in Labor Force: ????????????????????????????
49,432
Percent Unemployed: ????????????????????????
6.8%
Percent Adults Not Working: ??????????
30.4%
Civilian Employment:
Private Wage & Salary Workers: 89,023
Government Workers
(Military not included):??????????????????????
27,646
Self-Employed workers
(in own not incorp business): ??????????
8,819
Unpaid Family workers: ???? 249
Employment by Occupation:
Management, Professional & Related: 46,271
Service: ????????????????????????????????
18,970
Sales & Office: ????????????????????????????????????
35,834
Farming, Fishing & Forestry: ???????????
432
Construction, Extraction
& Maintenance: ????????????????? 12,136
Product., Transport.
& Material Moving: ??????????????????????????? 12,094
Employment by Industry:
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing
& Hunting, Mining: ??????????????????????????? 3,886
Construction: ?????????????????????????????????????? 7,995
Manufacturing: ??????????????????????????????????
2,542
Wholesale Trade: ???????????????????????????????
4,428
Retail Trade: ????????????????????????????????????????
15,327
Transport., Warehouse & Util.: ???????
11,809
Information: ????????????????????????????????????????
4,079
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate,
Rental & Leasing: ??????????????????????????????
7,654
Professional, Scientific,
Management,
Administrative & Waste Mgmt: 12,845
Education, Health &
Social Services: ?????????????????????????????????? 24,532
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation,
Accommodation & Food Services: 11,342
Other Services
(Except Public Admin):??????????????????????? 7,156
Public Administration: ??????????????????????
12,142
-------------------------------------------------------
The following is a listing of salaries for the Anchorage area, where
approximately 41% of the state population lives. This is probably
a more useful set of numbers for people wanting to move into the state
from the lower 48, since it represents a wide range of jobs and industries
probably similar to work available out of state. I've edited a much
more exhaustive list of job categories down to the most common and
recognizable types. Even so it's lengthy. I hope the reader may find
a listing similar to their present job in order to make the comparison
more meaningful.
For
the complete list see;
http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/wage/anchoes.htm.
_______________________________________________________________________
Average wages, per hour, for selected professions -
Anchorage area - year 2000
???????????????????????????????????????????????
Mean ???????
Median ????? Mid Range
Entry ??????? Experienced
Managers
Computer & Information Sys Managers 33.74 ??????
32.35 ????????????????????? 25.06
- 40.18 ???????? 21.69 ?????
39.76
Construction Managers ????????????????????????
38.83 ????? 37.39 ????????????????????? 29.83 - 46.58 ????????
25.83 ????? 45.33
Education Admin, Postsecondary ??????????
16.74 ????? 15.37 ????????????????????? 12.63 - 19.07 ????????
12.03 ????? 19.10
Financial Managers ???????????????????????????????????????????????
34.57 ????? 30.53 ????????????????????? 23.26 - 41.81 ????????
20.49 ????? 41.61
Industrial Production Managers ???????????
33.01 ????? 26.97 ????????????????????? 21.67 - 41.30 ????????
19.65 ????? 39.69
Medical & Health Services Managers ????
31.80 ????? 30.61 ????????????????????? 24.84 - 35.58 ????????
21.59 ????? 36.91
Transport, Storage & Dist Managers ????
26.96 ????? 25.29 ????????????????????? 20.12 - 33.04 ????????
18.79 ????? 31.05
Business
and Financial Operations
Accountants
& Auditors ????????????????????????
23.56 ????? 22.73 ????????????????????? 18.06 - 26.36 ????????
15.85 ????? 27.41
Credit Analysts ?????????????????????????????????????
26.03 ????? 19.42 ????????????????????? 12.28 - 46.33 ????????
10.56 ????? 33.76
Financial Analysts ?????????????????????????????????
26.59 ????? 26.18 ????????????????????? 23.10 - 30.26 ????????
21.65 ????? 29.05
Insurance Underwriters ????????????????????????
22.34 ????? 20.93 ????????????????????? 18.34 - 28.18 ????????
16.57 ????? 25.22
Loan Officers ????????????????????????????????????????
23.80 ????? 18.11 ????????????????????? 13.18 - 32.87 ????????
11.11 ????? 30.14
Tax Examiners ???????????????????????????????????????
27.94 ????? 28.54 ????????????????????? 20.81 - 34.11 ????????
19.28 ????? 32.27
Training & Development Specialists ??????
20.67 ????? 20.04 ????????????????????? 17.20 - 24.98 ????????
14.68 ????? 23.66
Computer
Computer Programmers ????????????????????????
27.00 ????? 26.21 ????????????????????? 22.32 - 31.92 ????????
20.03 ????? 30.49
Software Engineers, Applications ?????????
28.78 ????? 28.50 ????????????????????? 23.61 - 33.58 ????????
22.17 ????? 32.09
Software Engineers, Systems ?????????????????
31.10 ????? 32.51 ????????????????????? 22.74 - 40.16 ????????
20.89 ????? 36.21
Database Administrators ??????????????????????
26.79 ????? 26.24 ????????????????????? 18.86 - 34.19 ????????
16.45 ????? 31.96
Network & Computer Systems Admin ????
23.43 ????? 23.11 ????????????????????? 18.86 - 28.12 ????????
16.99 ????? 26.65
Network Systems Analysts ????????????????????
25.67 ????? 26.39 ????????????????????? 18.20 - 31.86 ????????
16.70 ????? 30.16
Statisticians ??????????????????????????????????????????
29.60 ????? 28.47 ????????????????????? 24.85 - 32.67 ????????
23.38 ????? 32.71
Architectual
Architects, Except Landscape & Naval ??
30.93 ????? 30.96 ????????????????????? 25.50 - 36.81 ????????
22.98 ????? 34.91
Civil Engineers ??????????????????????????????????????
31.46 ????? 30.58?????????????????????? 22.95 - 38.28 ??????? 20.92 ????? 36.73
Drafters, Engineer & Mapping Tech ??????
20.46 ????? 19.52 ????????????????????? 15.53 - 24.32 ????????
13.63 ????? 23.88
Electrical Engineers ???????????????????????????????
32.52 ????? 33.27 ????????????????????? 27.04 - 39.45 ????????
23.68
Mechanical Engineers ????????????????????????????
31.51 ????? 31.79 ????????????????????? 25.00 - 38.95 ????????
22.64 ????? 35.94
Petroleum Engineers ??????????????????????????????
51.23 ????? 54.07 ????????????????????? 42.32 - 62.55 ????????
36.98 ????? 58.36
Surveying & Mapping Technicians ????????
22.33 ????? 23.18 ????????????????????? 17.98 - 28.42 ????????
14.34 ????? 26.33
Life, Physical,
and Social Science
Agricultural & Food Scientists ??????????????
28.12 ????? 29.11 ????????????????????? 22.17 - 33.96 ????????
19.45 ????? 32.46
Biological Technicians ???????????????????????????
14.06 ????? 13.65 ????????????????????? 11.83 - 15.93 ????????
11.16 ????? 15.52
Chemical Technicians ????????????????????????????
16.18 ????? 14.52 ????????????????????? 10.47 - 21.90 ????????
9.89 ??????? 19.33
Economists ????????????????????????????????????????????
31.51 ????? 31.88 ????????????????????? 19.66 - 41.73 ????????
17.83 ????? 38.35
Foresters ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
28.72 ????? 28.42 ????????????????????? 23.38 - 35.25 ????????
21.29 ????? 32.43
Geological & Petroleum Technicians ?????
20.72 ????? 20.60 ????????????????????? 17.12 - 24.41 ????????
14.76 ????? 23.70
Market Research Analysts ????????????????????
21.92 ????? 21.44 ????????????????????? 18.25 - 25.10 ????????
16.47 ????? 24.65
Community
and Social Services Legal
Clergy ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
15.08 ????? 15.07 ????????????????????? 7.04 - 21.20 ??????????
6.70 ??????? 19.28
Counselors, Social & Religious ??????????????
13.70 ????? 12.83 ????????????????????? 10.87 - 15.47 ????????
10.17 ????? 15.47
Mental Health Counselors ?????????????????????
17.83 ????? 17.07 ????????????????????? 15.26 - 20.22 ????????
15.11 ????? 19.19
Arbitrators, Mediators ?????????????????????????
20.69 ????? 22.26 ????????????????????? 16.33 - 25.24 ????????
14.35 ????? 23.87
Lawyers ?????????????????????????????????????????????????
43.03 ????? 41.56 ????????????????????? 29.38 - 58.76 ????????
24.73 ????? 52.18
Paralegals & Legal Assistants ???????????????????????????????
24.16 ????? 24.47 ????????????????????? 21.27 - 28.00 ????????
19.08 ????? 26.70
Title Examiners, Abst & Searchers ????????
18.22 ????? 18.69 ????????????????????? 14.89 - 21.04 ????????
13.75 ????? 20.45
Education,
Training, and Library
Education, Training & Lib Workers, ??????
19.09 ????? 18.25 ????????????????????? 12.80 - 25.17 ????????
12.50 ????? 22.39
Librarians ?????????????????????????????????????????????
21.81 ????? 23.20 ????????????????????? 17.72 - 27.74 ????????
12.67 ????? 26.37
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other ??????
49,020 ??? 49,310 ??????????????????? 40,690 - 55,980 ????
35,160 ??? 55,950
Preschool Teachers, Except Spec Ed ??????
10.16 ????? 10.10 ????????????????????? 9.10 - 11.25 ??????????
8.54 ??????? 10.97
Teacher Assistants ????????????????????????????????
25,600 ??? 26,330 ??????????????????? 18,330 - 30,940 ????
17,360 ??? 29,710
Teachers, Primary, Sec & Adult ?????????????
39,560 ??? 41,050 ??????????????????? 20,870 - 53,980 ????
18,060 ??? 50,310
Vocational Education Teachers, ????????????
22.32?????? 24.17 ????????????????????
18.06 - 27.12 ???????? 14.02
????? 26.47
Arts, Design,
Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Audio & Video Equipment Technicians ??
11.93 ????? 11.71 ????????????????????? 10.25 - 13.05 ????????
9.63 ??????? 13.08
Film & Video Editors ??????????????????????????????
15.56 ????? 13.60 ????????????????????? 12.19 - 16.22 ????????
12.10 ????? 17.29
Graphic Designers ?????????????????????????????????
17.97 ????? 16.96 ????????????????????? 12.53 - 22.55 ????????
11.50 ????? 21.20
Photographers ??????????????????????????????????????
12.92 ????? 12.76 ????????????????????? 11.10 - 15.28 ????????
9.75 ??????? 14.50
Producers & Directors ??????????????????????????
36,190 ??? 33,860 ??????????????????? 30,220 - 40,840 ????
28,270 ??? 40,160
Public Relations Specialists ???????????????????
24.44 ????? 21.69 ????????????????????? 16.95 - 27.66 ????????
15.01 ????? 29.16
Technical Writers ??????????????????????????????????
25.00 ????? 25.08 ????????????????????? 22.63 - 27.97 ????????
21.69
Healthcare
Practitioners and Technical
Dental Hygienists ??????????????????????????????????
38.17 ????? 39.15 ????????????????????? 36.79 - 41.52 ????????
37.64 ????? 38.44
Licensed Pract & Lic Voc Nurse ?????????????
16.30 ????? 15.93 ????????????????????? 14.53 - 17.59 ????????
14.33 ????? 17.29
Medical & Clinical Laboratory Techn ????
16.17 ????? 16.05 ????????????????????? 14.01 - 18.62 ????????
13.46 ????? 17.53
Optometrists ?????????????????????????????????????????
46.99 ????? 48.92 ????????????????????? 44.83 - 52.70 ????????
42.25 ????? 49.37
Pharmacists ??????????????????????????????????????????
34.15 ????? 34.38 ????????????????????? 31.12 - 38.55 ????????
30.40 ????? 36.03
Physicians & Surgeons, All Other ?????????
68.34 ????? >70.00
?????????????????? >70.00 - >70.00 ??? 65.03 ????? 70.00
Veterinarians ????????????????????????????????????????
30.82 ????? 28.34 ????????????????????? 18.66 - 37.30 ????????
16.69 ????? 37.89
Protective
Service
Protective Service Workers, Other ???????
22.45 ????? 12.11?????????????????????? 9.80 - 44.63 ??????????
9.40 ??????? 28.98
Food Preparation
and Serving Related
Bartenders ????????????????????????????????????????????
9.18 ??????? 9.24 ??????????????????????? 7.98 - 10.33 ??????????
7.48 ??????? 10.03
Chefs & Head Cooks ??????????????
??????????????? 14.95 ????? 13.38 ????????????????????? 11.60
- 16.83 ???????? 10.31 ????? 17.27
Cooks, Fast Food ???????????????????????????????????
9.90 ??????? 9.82 ??????????????????????? 8.39 - 11.47 7.??????? 83??????????? 10.94
Counter Attend, Cafeteria/Food ???????????
8.95 ??????? 8.14 ??????????????????????? 6.49 - 10.43 ??????????
6.20 ??????? 10.33
Dishwashers???????????????????????????????????????????
8.97 ?????? 8.89 ??????????????????????? 7.62 - 10.32 ??????????
7.20 ??????? 9.86
Food Preparation & Serv Wkrs, ????????????
17.67 ????? 21.84 ????????????????????? 9.17 - 24.51 ??????????
8.00 ??????? 22.50
Waiters & Waitresses ????????????????????????????
7.53 ??????? 6.58 ??????????????????????? 6.17 - 7.72?????????????
6.26 ?????? 8.16
Building
and Grounds, Cleaning, and Maintenance
Janitors/Cleaners, Ex Maids ?????????????????
11.06 ????? 10.19 ????????????????????? 8.62 - 13.34 ??????????
8.01 ??????? 12.58
Landscaping Workers ???????????????????????????
11.54 ????? 10.51 ????????????????????? 8.55 - 13.23 ??????????
7.88 ??????? 13.37
Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners ???????????
10.05 ????? 9.83 ??????????????????????? 8.77 - 11.01 ??????????
7.96 ??????? 11.09
Personal
Care and Service
Amusement & Recreation Attendants ????
11.32 ????? 9.92 ??????????????????????? 8.38 - 12.83 ??????????
7.78 ??????? 13.08
Baggage Porters & Bellhops ??????????????????
10.16?????? 7.46 ??????????????????????
6.42 - 10.96???????????
6.33 ?????? 12.07
Flight Attendants ??????????????????????????????????
32,970 ??? 30,640 ??????????????????? 21,930 - 37,790 ????
19,170 ??? 39,880
Hairdressers, Hairstylists & Cosmet ?????
14.39 ????? 15.01 ????????????????????? 10.36 - 17.13 ????????
8.93 ??????? 17.12
Recreation Workers ??????????????????????????????
9.09 ??????? 8.48 ??????????????????????? 7.25 - 10.32 ??????????
7.00 ??????? 10.13
Tour Guides & Escorts ???????????????????????????
8.85 ??????? 8.61 ??????????????????????? 6.52 - 10.57 ??????????
6.41 ??????? 10.07
Ushers, Lobby Attend & Ticket Takers ??
6.92 ??????? 6.44 ??????????????????????? 6.11 - 6.79?????????????
6.28 ?????? 7.23
Sales and
Related
Advertising Sales Agents ??????????????????????
21.44 ????? 16.94 ????????????????????? 14.16 - 26.80 ????????
12.10 ????? 26.11
Cashiers?????????????????????????????????????????????????
8.53 ?????? 8.14 ??????????????????????? 7.16 - 9.61 ????????????
6.99 ??????? 9.31
Insurance Sales Agents ?????????????????????????
18.02 ????? 17.98 ????????????????????? 13.08 - 20.07 ????????
12.34 ????? 20.86
Real Estate Sales Agents ????????????????????????
23.35 ????? 23.35 ????????????????????? 18.79 - 30.31 ????????
13.68 ????? 28.18
Retail Salespersons ???????????????????????????????
12.18 ????? 10.60 ????????????????????? 8.34 - 13.38 ??????????
7.72 ??????? 14.40
Telemarketers ???????????????????????????????????????
8.52 ??????? 8.28???????????????????????? 6.95 - 9.66 ????????????
6.69 ??????? 9.43
Travel Agents ????????????????????????????????????????
11.77 ????? 11.34 ????????????????????? 9.73 - 13.36 ??????????
9.19 ??????? 13.06
Office and
Administrative Support
Bookkeeping, Account & Audit Clerks ??
14.84 ????? 14.43 ????????????????????? 12.18 - 16.79 ????????
11.21 ????? 16.66
Cargo & Freight Agents ????????????????????????
11.18 ????? 10.41 ????????????????????? 9.11 - 12.71 ??????????
8.61 ??????? 12.47
Couriers & Messengers ?????????????????????????
11.26 ????? 10.23 ????????????????????? 9.25 - 11.31 ??????????
9.00 ??????? 12.39
Data Entry Keyers ?????????????????????????????????
10.83 ????? 10.12 ????????????????????? 8.89 - 12.06 ??????????
8.31 ??????? 12.09
File Clerks ?????????????????????????????????????????????
11.56 ????? 11.47 ????????????????????? 9.19 - 13.70 ??????????
8.26 ??????? 13.22
Hotel, Motel & Resort Desk Clerks ????????
8.14 ??????? 7.81 ??????????????????????? 6.77 - 9.47 ????????????
6.55 ??????? 8.94
Insurance Claims & Process Clerks ???????
17.85 ????? 15.76 ????????????????????? 14.16 - 18.77 ????????
13.55 ????? 20.00
Legal Secretaries ???????????????????????????????????
19.01 ????? 19.28 ????????????????????? 15.92 - 22.11 ????????
14.15 ????? 21.44
Medical Secretaries ???????????????????????????????????????????????
13.27 ????? 13.20 ????????????????????? 11.86 - 14.99 ????????
11.66 ????? 14.07
Office Clerks, General ???????????????????????????
12.94 ????? 12.42 ????????????????????? 10.50 - 15.04 ????????
9.36 ??????? 14.73
Secretaries, Except Legal, Med & Ex ??????
14.60 ????? 13.82 ????????????????????? 11.65 - 17.51 ????????
10.38 ????? 16.71
Stock Clerks & Order Fillers ?????????????????
12.58 ????? 11.55 ????????????????????? 9.18 - 15.43 ??????????
8.57 ??????? 14.58
Tellers ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
10.26 ????? 10.08 ????????????????????? 9.24 - 11.20 ??????????
9.30 ??????? 10.74
Word Processors & Typists ???????????????????
13.66 ????? 13.48 ????????????????????? 11.76 - 15.73 ????????
11.14 ????? 14.92
Farming,
Fishing, and Forestry
Farming, Fishing & Forestry Workers ???
15.30 ????? 15.28 ????????????????????? 14.14 - 16.41 ????????
13.36 ????? 16.27
Construction
and Extraction
Brickmasons & Blockmasons ?????????????????
20.39 ????? 19.42 ????????????????????? 14.02 - 26.08 ????????
11.87 ????? 24.65
Carpenters ????????????????????????????????????????????
21.08 ????? 22.75 ????????????????????? 16.13 - 25.74 ????????
13.92 ????? 24.67
Construction Laborers ??????????????????????????
18.89 ????? 18.66 ????????????????????? 13.57 - 23.70 ????????
11.76 ????? 22.45
Electricians ????????????????????????????????????????????
28.07 ????? 29.68 ????????????????????? 24.10 - 33.21 ????????
20.43 ????? 31.89
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters ?????
26.32 ????? 26.97 ????????????????????? 22.27 - 31.99 ????????
18.70 ????? 0.13
Roofers ??????????????????????????????????????????????????
21.64 ????? 22.34 ????????????????????? 17.45 - 27.23 ????????
14.42 ????? 25.25
Structural Iron & Steel Workers ????????????
19.33 ????? 20.46 ????????????????????? 14.36 - 24.64 ????????
11.53 ????? 23.23
Installation,
Maintenance, and Repair
Aircraft Mechanics & Serv Tech ????????????
19.66 ????? 19.53 ????????????????????? 15.83 - 23.90 ????????
14.32 ????? 22.33
Automotive Body & Related Repairers ??
21.80 ????? 19.97 ????????????????????? 15.84 - 25.48 ????????
13.50 ????? 25.95
Automotive Service Tech & Mech ??????????
17.75 ????? 17.80 ????????????????????? 13.43 - 23.57 ????????
10.58 ????? 21.34
Computer/Auto Teller/Office Mach Rep 19.60 ?????
19.77 ????????????????????? 14.70
- 24.79 ???????? 13.33 ?????
22.73
Heating/AC/Refrig Mech & Installers ???
20.99 ????? 22.81 ????????????????????? 18.43 - 25.51 ????????
14.34 ????? 24.32
Maintenance & Repair Workers, Gen ????
18.00 ????? 17.52 ????????????????????? 12.35 - 22.72 ????????
10.71 ????? 21.64
Telecomm Equip Install/Repair, ?????????????
28.76 ????? 29.93 ????????????????????? 25.74 - 33.00 ????????
22.52 ????? 31.88
Production
Bakers ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
10.63 ????? 10.40 ????????????????????? 8.67 - 12.47 ??????????
7.96 ??????? 11.97
Cabinetmakers & Bench Carpenters ?????
14.89 ????? 14.07 ????????????????????? 11.62 - 18.47 ????????
10.90 ????? 16.89
Helpers: Production Workers ????????????????
17.82 ????? 16.49 ????????????????????? 12.15 - 24.22 ????????
10.83 ????? 21.32
Machinists ?????????????????????????????????????????????
23.08 ????? 23.73 ????????????????????? 19.59 - 26.82 ????????
17.31 ????? 25.97
Plant & System Operators, All Other ????
20.04 ????? 22.33 ????????????????????? 16.61 - 25.10 ????????
12.81 ????? 23.66
Production Workers, All Other ?????????????
10.66 ????? 9.49 ??????????????????????? 7.60 - 11.08???????????
6.97 ?????? 12.51
Welders, Cutters, Solder & Brazers ??????
21.19 ????? 20.13 ????????????????????? 16.07 - 26.18 ????????
14.06 ????? 24.76
Transportation
and Material Moving
Aircraft
Cargo Handling Supervisors ??? 15.19
????? 13.92 ?????????????????????
11.24 - 18.13 ???????? 10.58
????? 17.49
Excavating & Loading Machine Opers ??
12.97 ????? 12.75?????????????????????? 10.37 - 15.36 ??????? 9.47 ??????? 14.72
Laborers & Freight Movers ???????????????????
13.51 ????? 11.64?????????????????????? 9.34 - 14.63 ?????????
8.44 ??????? 16.05
Packers & Packagers, Hand ??????????????????
8.31 ??????? 6.84 ??????????????????????? 6.33 - 9.15 ????????????
6.35 ??????? 9.29
Service Station Attendants ????????????????????
10.75 ????? 8.93 ??????????????????????? 7.36 - 14.71 ??????????
6.96 ??????? 12.64
Taxi Drivers & Chauffeurs ????????????????????
9.99 ??????? 9.06 ??????????????????????? 7.58 - 11.87 ??????????
7.26 ??????? 11.36
Truck Drivers, Tractor-Trailer ????????????
18.78 ????? 17.54 ????????????????????? 14.66 - 24.03 ????????
12.90 ????? 21.73
------------
Mean: is the estimated total wages for an occupation divided
by its weighted survey employment. It is sometimes referred to as
the "weighted average."
Median: Another "average" representing the value
of the "middle" observation when the numbers are arranged
from the smallest to largest. At that point, half of the employees
in the occupation earn more and half earn less.
Middle Range: The middle 50% of wages. One-quarter of the workers
in an occupation earn less than the low end of the range and one-quarter
earn more than the high end of the range.
Mean Entry Wage: The mean wage of the first one-third or 33rd
percentile of employees in the occupation (two-thirds earn more).
Mean Experienced Wage: The mean wage for the upper two-thirds
or 67 percentile of employees in the occupation (one-third earn less).
-------------------
______________________________________________________________________________
Year
2000 data for top 100 employers in AK- this group represents 29% of
all private sector wage and salary employees in Alaska--- 21% are
non-profits;
company ??????????????????????????????
no. of employees
Safeway/Carrs ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
3270
Providence Alaska medical center ??
3098
Fred Meyer ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
2146
Walmart/Sam's Club ??????????????????????????????????????????
1911
Alaska Airlines ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
1694
VECO Operations ???????????????????????????????????????????????
1392
Alaska Petroleum Contractors ?????????????????????????
1314
Banner health system ????????????????????????????????????????
1138
National bank of Alaska/Wells Fargo ????????????
1118
Federal Express ??????????????????????????????????
1113
NANA Marriot ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
1093
BP Exploration ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
1018
Alyeska pipeline service co. ????????????????????????????
898
Alaska Communications Systems ??? 821
Alaska Regional Hospital ?????????????????
814
Phillips 66 ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
805
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union ?? 800
GCI Communications ?????????????????????????????????????????
771
Laidlaw Transit ???????????????????????????????????
745
First national bank of Anchorage ???
745
Kmart ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
730
Sears Roebuck ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
712
UniSea ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
687
Peak Oilfield Service Co. ???????????????????
681
Southcentral Foundation ?????????????????? 675
Alaska Commercial Co. ?????????????????????????????????????
663
ERA Aviation ????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????? 658
Spenard Builders Supply ??????????????????
658
Icicle seafoods ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
631
Costco ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
612
Tanana Chiefs Conference ??????????????????????????????? 594
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. ????? 593
North Pacific Processors ??????????????????
582
Southeast AK Regional health Corp. ?????????????
578
Peter Pan Seafoods ????????????????????????????????????????????
566
Anchorage Daily News??????????????????????????????????????
520
Aramark Leisure Services ?????????????????
520
Doyon/Universal Ogden ??????????????????
519
Nabors Alaska Drilling Co. ???????????????????????????????
514
Williams Express ????????????????????????????????
507
Westmark Hotels ???????????????????????????????????????????????
506
Alyeska resort ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
481
Valley hospital ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
481
Unocal ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
477
Houston/NANA ????????????????????????????????
468
Pizza Hut ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
467
Burger King ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
465
Norquest Seafoods ????????????????????????????????????????????
464
Cominco Alaska ?????????????????????????????????
459
Hope Community Services ???????????????????????????????
448
Maniilaq Association ????????????????????????????????????????
446
AT&T Alascom Inc. ??????????????????????????????????????????
426
Norton Sound health Corp. ??????????????????????????????
412
UPS ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
398
Alaska Hotel properties ????????????????????
398
Wards Cove packing Co. ??????????????????
389
PenAir ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
387
The Alaska Club ????????????????????????????????
386
Northwest airlines ??????????????????????????????????????????????
382
AK Native Tribal health Consortium ??????????????
381
Denali foods (Taco Bell) ???????????????????
381
Chugach Elec. Assoc. ???????????????????????????????????????
379
Cook inlet processing ???????????????????????????????????????
378
Facility management of Alaska ????????????????????????
374
Salvation Army - Alaska ???????????????????
371
Tesoro Northstore Co. ??????????????????????????????????????
367
Hilton Anchorage ??????????????????????????????????????????????
360
Chugach North Techical Services ???
354
Ketchikan General Hospital ??????????????????????????????
348
Westward Seafood ????????????????????????????????????????????
348
Hotel Captain Cook ???????????????????????????????????????????
342
Assets, Inc. ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
341
Ocean Beauty Seafooods ?????????????????
338
Bristol Bay Area health Corp. ??????????????????????????
335
Royal Highway Tours ???????????????????????????????????????
327
Sea-land Freight Service ???????????????????
314
J C Penny Co. ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????
313
Silver Bay Lodging ????????????????????????????????????????????
311
Anchorage Cold Storage ??????????????????
305
Rural Alaska Community Action prog. ??????????
299
Matanuska Telephone Association ???????????????
296
Fairbanks Gold Mining Company ??? 291
Schlumberger Technologies ????????????????????????????
289
Carlile Enterprises ??????????????????????????????????????????????
285
Alaska Pacific University ?????????????????
281
Dynair Services ??????????????????????????????????????????????????
279
Sky Chefs ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
277
Fairbanks Native Association ?????????????????????????
273
ARC of Anchorage ????????????????????????????????????????????
272
ABM Company of the West ????????????????????????????
272
Northern Air Cargo ????????????????????????????????????????????
267
Greens Creek Mining Company ???????????????????????
264
Halliburton Energy Services ????????????????????????????
263
McDonalds ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
258
Nordstrom ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
256
CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation ???
255
United Airlines ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
251
Udelhoven Oilfield Systems ?????????????????????????????
250
------------------------------------------------------------
Public Sector Employment
However, the following figures could be somewhat discouraging
for those with desire for "small government"... If you count
the public sector, several of the various branches of government fall
within the Top 10 largest employers in Alaska. Significantly, the
military and federal government are number one and two on the list!
Most are centered in Anchorage, although the State government is located
in Juneau and the University of Alaska is in Fairbanks.
___________________________________________________________________________________
year 2000
Top Ten employers including public sector
rank ? employer??????????????????????????????????????????
employees
1 ?????? Uniformed Military ?????????????????????????? 17,614
2 ?????? Federal government ??????????????????????? 17,139
3 ?????? State of Alaska ???????????????????????????????? 16,066
4 ?????? University of Alaska
????????????????????????? 6,112
5 ?????? Anchorage School District
??????????????? 5,954
8 ?????? Municipality of Anchorage
?????????????? 2,868
10 ???? Fairbanks North Star
Borough
????????? School district?????????????????????????????????? 1,918
--------------------------------------------------
Unemployment:
According to the latest figures, the Alaska unemployment rate is comparatively
high, but it's worth noting that 6% of a population of 627,000 is
about 38,000 people, a much smaller actual number than states with
higher populations but slightly lower unemployment rates. For instance,
a state like Nevada with a population of 1,998,000 and with a slightly
lower unemployment rate of 4.4% yields 88,000 people.
_____________________________________________________
Unemployment
rate, comparison of selected states - year 1999
state ?????????????????????????? percent
?????????? ranking
Alaska ????????????????????? 6.4
?????????? 2
Montana ????????????????????? 5.2
????????????????? 6
Idaho ????????????????????????? 5.2
????????????????? 6
Wyoming ???????????????????? 4.9
????????????????? 12
Nevada ??????????????????????? 4.4
????????????????? 21
Delaware ???????????????????? 3.5
????????????????? 32
Vermont ????????????????????? 3.0
????????????????? 40
New Hampshire ????????? 2.7 ????????????????? 49
----------------------------------------
Cost
of Living
No getting
around the fact that some living expenses are higher in Alaska. This
can probably be largely attributed partly to the shipping costs of
merchandise imported from out of state and perhaps the climate. People
living in Anchorage spent about 41% more than the national average.
(The average household was comprised of 1.5 wage earners, and 2.6
persons, reporting a pre-tax income of $54,506.)
_________________________________________________________________________
Anchorage
area consumer spending -
Percent distribution of total average expenditures in Anchorage, 1999-2000
Food
??????????????????????????????????????????????????
13.1%
Personal Insurance & pensions ??????????
8.4%
Cash contributions ????????????????????????????
3.5%
Entertainment ????????????????????????????????????
6.4%
Healthcare ?????????????????????????????????????????
4.8%
Transportation ???????????????????????????????????
18.5%
Apparel & % services ??????????????????????????
4.7%
Housing ?????????????????????????????????????????????
33%
Other ?????????????????????????????????????????????????
7.6%
_________________________________________________________
Consumer
Price Index - All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
U.S. City Average, All Items vs Anchorage, Alaska, All Items
year ???? U.S. average ??? Anchorage average
2001 177.1 ?????????????? 155.2
______________________________________________________
some
examples - costs of selected goods, 2001;
??????????????????????? National
average ??????? Anchorage
gallon
of gasoline ?????? $1.52 ????????????????????????? $1.65
half gallon of milk ????? $1.68
????????????????????????? $2.29
dozen large eggs ??????? $0.98
????????????????????????? $1.53
quarter pounder ????????? $2.12
????????????????????????? $2.87
with cheese
day rate semi-private $800.
????????????????????????? $493.
hospital room
_______________________________________________________
living expenses for a family of 4, selected
western cities
National average $32,000 a year
Juneau? , AK?????????????????
$38,076
Salt Lake City, UT???????? $35,262
Fairbanks, AK?????????????? $34,398
Anchorage?????????????????? $33,518
Boise, ID????????????????????? $32,142
Butte, MT???????????????????? $30,322
----------------------------------------
Housing:
Housing profile - Anchorage municipality - year 2000
Total household population 253,269 - with 100,368 housing units
52% were single units, 42 % multi-unit, and 6% mobile homes
(13% were built since 1990)
61% were owner occupied and 39% rental units
(oddly enough they keep figures on stuff like this, 0.7% lacked plumbing...I
suppose that means you won't have to hunker down behind a bush on
the tundra like you thought)
Median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,447
non-mortgaged owners $406
renters $720
23% of owners had mortgages, 4% without
43% of renters spent 30% of their income on housing
Year 2001, median price for homes in Anchorage , $143,000.
National Association of Home Builders said in the first quarter of
2001, Anchorage emerged as the "most affordable" housing
market west of Oklahoma City -- bettering all 46 other cities
in 10 western states.
I highly recommend a short article
on cost of living in Anchorage by George Bryson of the Anchorage Daily
news, published Nov. 4, 2001, "City's Pricey Reputation Proves
a Myth - Few taxes, affordable housing and the PFD make Anchorage
a good deal "
In this article he basically makes the case that Anchorage is actually
one of the most affordable cities to live if you factor in the lack
of a state tax and the yearly "Permanent Fund" payments.
http://www.alaskapcs.com/ANCHORAGE%20COST%20OF%20LIVING.htm
The Permanent Fund;
Probably few
people outside Alaska may have ever heard of the "Permanent Fund."
This is an annual dividend paid to each citizen of Alaska that comes
from royalties on state natural resources (mostly oil), and a State
managed investment fund. The amount fluctuates on a yearly basis,
but for the year 2001, the payment was $1,850. per person.
A bit of history;
After becoming a state in 1959, the state constitution declared that
all the natural resources of Alaska belong to the state.
In 1969 the Prudhoe Bay oil lease sale generated $900 million from
oil companies for the right to drill oil on 164 tracts of state-owned
land. (by comparison, the 1968 state budget was $112 million) The
$900 million was spent on water and sewer systems, schools, airports,
health and misc. social services.
In 1976 a constitutional amendment, specified that 25% of all mineral
lease rentals, royalties, federal mineral revenue-sharing payments,
etc. received would be placed in a "permanent fund,"
to be used for long term investment. The principal of the Fund is
to be invested in perpetuity.
In 1980 the State Legislature decided to create a savings trust for
the future. The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation manages the assets
of the Fund. The Legislature also created the "Permanent Fund
Dividend Program" to pass on a portion of the investment income
of the Fund to Alaskan citizens directly as a dividend payment. To
be eligible you must be at least a one-year resident. Supposedly, the dividend
amounts to more money in the state economy than the wages paid by
basic industry, seafood, construction, tourism, timber, mining and
agriculture combined. The dividend provides more than 10 percent of
the income of most Alaskans. The fund is currently worth $26 billion
and is mandated by law to be invested in a way that minimizes risk
and expressly forbids "social' or "political" investing
(which is encouraging).
The Left praises the fund as the ideal way to distribute a "fair
and equal share of the wealth" from publicly owned resources
to the citizenry. This might normally make a free market/private property
oriented libertarian somewhat nervous. However, in my opinion, short
of selling off the property, this is probably the fairest way to distribute
a "commonly held resource"...especially that not previously
owned by anyone (remember we're talking mostly frozen tundra here).
This still leaves the question of who is granted the authority to
decide what's a good investment, and this issue has been and is still
debated. On a positive note, the fact that part of the money is more
or less directly distributed to each citizen, leaving the decision
up to them what to do with their share, is a step in the right direction.
This somewhat decreases concentration of control of the resource by
an entrenched government elite. The danger of course, is the precedent
it sets. This system keeps alive the belief that government ownership
of anything is a normal and beneficial circumstance. Perhaps more
disturbing, public school officials apparently think it's necessary
to indoctrinate young school children about the fund, stressing the
"fairness" of the system.
Taxes:
Alaska currently has no state income or sales taxes.
50% of local
governments have a sales tax up to 6 percent on retail sales, however,
there is no retail sales tax in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
_______________________________________________________________________
Various Non-income Tax Sources in Alaska, 1999 figures -
732.6
million total
Property, Oil, gas
charitable gaming, Alcohol, tobacco
Insurance premiums electric, telephone motor fuel corporate income
corporation petroleum severence, oil, gas
salmon and seafood marketing salmon enhancement fisheries business
fishery resource, landing, mining, estate
---------------------------------------------------
Economic
Data
I've included
this information to emphasize the existing industries, infrastructure
and business in Alaska. I believe this is a good indicator of a state's
economic self sufficiency, especially if secession ever becomes a
serious option. One huge factor in any evaluation of Alaska is its
massive size and wealth of natural resources. The following list illustrates
the type of services, retail and support industries that have come
into existence over the last 40 years.
_____________________________________________________
Gross State Product, 26.4 billion, figures for year 1999 -
breakdown by sector
Government ???????????????????????????????????????
19%
Oil, gas ??????????????????????????????????????????????
18%
Transport, communications, utilities 17%
Services ????????????????????? ??????????????????????? 13%
Other goods ???????????????????????????????????????
13%
Financial, insurance, real estate ?????????
10%
Trade ?????????????????????????????????????????????????
10%
______________________________________________________________________________
Alaska's world wide exports, $ 2.4 billion total, year
2000
Top exports in 2001 in millions of dollars
Seafood ?????????? $1,198 m
Minerals ????????? $329 m
Oil ?????????????????? $297 m
Fertilizer ???????? $190 m
Wood ????????????? $155 m
Other ????????????? $257 m
_______________________________________
Alaska export markets by percentage
country ???? energy ????? minerals ??
seafood ??? wood ???????????????
fertilizer
Japan ?????????????? 68 ?????????????????? 15 ?????????????????? 55 ??????????????????
58 ?????????????????? -
Korea ????????????? 10 ?????????????????? 21 ?????????????????? 20 ??????????????????
20 ?????????????????? 46
Singapore ??????? 5 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? -
China ????????????? 5 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 4 ????????????????????
4 ???????????????????? -
Mexico ??????????? 3 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? 25
Canada ??????????? 3 ???????????????????? 15 ?????????????????? - ????????????????????
15 ?????????????????? 3
other ?????????????? 6 ????????????? 19
?????????????????? 3 ???????????????????? 1 ???????????????????? 7
Belgium ?????????? -
???????????????????? 22 ?????????????????? - ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? -
Netherlands ??? -
???????????????????? 8 ???????????????????? - ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? -
Germany ???????? - ???????????????????? - ????????????????????
7 ???????????????????? -
???????????????????? -
Portugal ????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 2 ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? -
Norway ?????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 2 ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? -
Thailand ????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 1 ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? 9
France ???????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 1 ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? -
UK ?????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 1 ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? -
Taiwan ??????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ????????????????????
2 ???????????????????? 7
Australia ???????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ????????????????????
- ???????????????????? 3
-------------------------------------------
________________________________________________________________________
POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENT - history, voter trends and groups sympathetic to FSP
goals
________________________________________________________________________
A Short political history of Alaska -
27,000
BC humans cross Bering land bridge into new world
1741 Vitus Bering, Danish explorer working for Russia, first european
to arrive in Alaska
1778 Capt. Cook sails into Cook Inlet, Anchorage, looking for north
nest passage
1799 Alexander Barnov first Russian governor, in Archangel, near Sitka
1867 Alaska purchased from Russia by Secretary of State Seward, $7.2
mil
1867 -77 under jurisdiction of U.S. Army
1877-79 under jurisdiction of U.S. Treasury
1879-84 under jurisdiction of U.S. Navy
1884 designated as the District of Alaska with territorial governor
1897 The Alaskan gold rush
1906 Alaska given non-voting delegate in Washington
1912 Alaska becomes a territory
1935 "New Deal" relocates 200 familes to homestead and establish
agriculture
1942 Japanese occupy Attu and Kiska islands during WW2
1957 oil discovered on Kenai penisula
1959 Alaska admitted as 49th state
1968 oil discovered at Pruhoe bay
1975 right to grow and smoke marijuana in privacy of home
1976 Permanent Fund created
1977 Alaska pipe line completed
1978 Dick Randolph of Alaska first elected Libertarian state legislator.
1984 Andre Marrou third Libertarian elected to the Alaska legislature.
1987 Libertarians nominate Ron Paul President, Andre Marrou Vice President.
1990 marijuana re-criminalized
1991 Governor Walter Hickel wins on Alaska Independence Party ticket
1998 medical marijuana legal
General Political
assessment -
Significantly,
Alaska has one of the lowest populations of the 50 states, if looked
at in terms of population density it is the lowest, with something
more than 600,000 people for 656,424 square miles (1.03 per square
mile), with most of the population crowded into Anchorage and Fairbanks. The entire state has less people than the city of Baltimore.
______________________________________________________________________
Population
ranking - year 2000
state
?????????????? total ??????????????? ranking
Wyoming ???????? 494 K ????????????? 50
Vermont ????????? 609 K ????????????? 49
Alaska ????????????? 627 K
?????????????? 48
Delaware ???????? 784 K ????????????? 45
Montana ????????? 902 K ????????????? 44
New Hamp.????? 1,236 K ?????????? 41
Idaho ????????????? 1,294 k ?????????? 39
Nevada ??????????? 1,998 K ?????????? 35
(various cities provided for comparison)
Washington DC 572 K
Baltimore ??????? 651 K
San Francisco ? 776 K
Chicago ????????? 2,896 K
Los Angeles ??? 3,695 K
New York City 8,008 K
----------------------------
Political
breakdown;
Despite
the fact that they elect a democrat governor once in a while, the
state has a reputation for a conservative leaning, at least judging
by election returns. The following figures give an indication of electoral
trends;
2000
U.S. PRESIDENT / VICE PRESIDENT
Ballots Cast / Reg. Voters 287825 / 473648 60.77%
Total Votes 285560
--------------------------------------------
candidates party ????????????????????
votes ?????????????? percent
NADER/LaDUKE GRN ?????????????? 28747
???????????? 10.07%
BUCHANAN/FOSTER REF ???????? 5192
?????????????? 1.82%
BROWNE/OLIVIER LIB ????????????? 2636
?????????????? 0.92%
Write-in Votes ???????????????????????
1068??????????????? 0.37%
HAGELIN/GOLDHABER NAT ??? 919
???????????????? 0.32%
PHILLIPS/FRAZIER CON ?????????? 596
???????????????? 0.21%
BUSH/CHENEY REP ????????????????? 167398
?????????? 58.62%
GORE/LIEBERMAN DEM ?????????? 79004
???????????? 27.67%
--------------------------------------------------
However
it's important to note that the single largest political classification
in Alaska is "undeclared" at 161,000... the second largest
group is Republicans at 113,000. It's hard to say exactly what this
undeclared figure means. It could be a measure of 'frontier"
independence, persons not wanting to be tied to any particular party,
it might be that a large group of people are conflicted or inconsistent
in their views, or it may simply be that a lot are willing to vote
but won't bother join a party.
It is however, interesting to consolidate the smaller groups into
broader categories.
Adding together;
Republican, Alaskan Independence and Libertarian
voters yields 139,000 total.
Democrat, green and Republican Moderate yield 80,000 total.
Non partisan, Undeclared and "other' yield 231,000 total.
For all persons of known party affiliation, left to right (219K),
Libertarians and AIP (26K) represent 12 %, significantly higher than
the national average.
For this number of "undeclared voters" (231K), it might
be safe to assume that at least 12% of the "undeclared"
group is also of libertarian and/or AIP leanings, ...which would yield
a total of 54,000 people for the whole state (450K)...?
potentially, over twice the 20,000 FSP goal (and this number
doesn't include sympathetic conservatives or other groups)
_____________________________________________________________
Break-down
of voters by party;
TOTAL 450,141
Republican ??????????????? AK
Independence ??????????????? Libertarian
113,380 ????????????????????? 18,554
??????????????????????????????????? 7,234
Democrat ????????? Green
?????????????????????????????? Republican
moderate
71,620 ??????????????????????? 4,764
????????????????????????????????????? 2,872
Non partisan ????????????????????
Undeclared ???????????????????????
other
66,296 ??????????????????????? 161,035
????????????????????????????????? 4,386
--------------------------------------------------
AK
IND = Alaskan Independence Party
DEM = Alaskan Democratic Party
GREEN = Green Party of Alaska
LIBERT = Alaska Libertarian Party
REP= Republican Party of Alaska
REP MOD = Republican Moderate Party
OTHER = Other (belongs to group not recognized by the State of Alaska)
UNDECL = Undeclared (may belong to a party but voter doesnot wish
to declare which one)
NON PAR = Non-Partisan (follows no party lines)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaskan
Libertarian party;
There 's
a mixed record here. Alaska has had Libertarian state office holders,
but at present, less than 2 percent of registered Alaskan voters are
Libertarians (not much different than the national average). Significantly,
in 1978 Dick Randolph of Alaska became the first elected Libertarian
state legislator. In 1984 Andre Marrou became the third libertarian
elected to the Alaska legislature, and in 1987 became Ron Paul's running
mate.
Alaska has electoral classifications called "recognized political
Party" and "limited political party." A "Limited"
political party ceases to be recognized in the State of Alaska if
its presidential candidate fails to receive at least 3% of the votes
cast for President. "Recognized' status requires registered voters
(or votes cast in a previous election) equal to at least 3% of the
votes cast for Governor in the last election.
Currently
one Libertarian holds public office in Alaska, 3 are running for office
and one ran in 2000.
_______________________________________________________________________
History of "recognized" status - Alaska Libertarian Party
1976
- As a Limited Political Party, MacBride / Bergland (President / Vice
President candidates) received 5.5% of votes cast for President, retaining
Limited Political Party status.
1980 - As a Limited Political Party, Clark (presidential candidate)
received 11.7% of votes cast for President, retaining Limited Political
Party status.
1982 - Randolph / Thompson (Governor / Lt. Governor candidates) received
14.9% of votes cast for Governor, establishing Recognized Political
Party status.
1984 - Bergland / Lewis (President / Vice President candidates) received
3.07% of the votes cast for President, retaining Limited Political
Party status.
1986 - As a Recognized Political Party, O?Brannon / Barnes (Governor
/ Lt. Governor candidates) received 0.5% of votes cast for Governor,
losing Recognized Political Party status.
1987 - Legal opinion established that even though they had lost their
status as a Recognized Political Party, they kept their status as
a Limited Political Party.
1988 - As a Limited Political Party, Paul / Marrou (President / Vice
President candidates) received 2.7% of the votes cast for President,
losing their Limited Political Party status.
10/9/92 - Limited Political Party petition certified
1992 - Marrou / Lord (President / Vice President candidates) received
0.5% of votes cast for President, losing Limited Political Party status.
12/19/95 - Limited Political Party petition certified
l996 - Browne / Jorgensen (President / Vice President candidates)
received 0.9% of votes cast for President, losing Limited Political
Party status.
1997 - Limited Political Party petition certified for 2000 elections
8/99 - Recognized Political Party status achieved by having at least
3% of the registered voters claiming affiliation with the Libertarian
Party.
2000 - Browne / Olivier (President / Vice President candidates) received
0.9% of the votes cast for President, losing Limited Political Party
status.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska Independence Party -
This
is without a doubt the most intriguing thing about Alaska politics...
The Alaska Independence party has roughly twice the membership of
the libertarian party and is? dedicated
to a number of political reforms aimed at strengthening Alaska's autonomy
and protecting their citizens' freedom... and ultimately leading to
political independence and secession.
In a sense, they are the Alaskan FSP and share many of the same goals....the
main difference is, they're already convinced Alaska is the place
to do it. In many ways they remind me of the pre-revolutionary American
colonists; still part of the mother country, but forming their own
identity and priorities and increasingly resentful of a distant, heavy
handed government that looks upon their home as little more than a
source of raw materials.
They appear to be an amalgam of libertarian, conservative and populist
ideas, combined with great concern over local issues like resource
use and government reform. They definitely have an "Alaska first"
mentality, strongly identifying with their local culture and circumstances,
with acute resentment toward interference by the Federal government.
Their main issue is self determination. A vote was held in 1958 giving
Alaska the right to either become a state, remain a territory, or
become a commonwealth. The AIP believes that United Nations resolutions
on the right to self-determination meant that they should have been
given the right to choose independence. Therefore, they favor a new
referendum including independence as an option.
AIP was formed in the 70's by a Joe Vogler, who early on advocated
an independent nation of Alaska. They actually had an elected governor
in 1990, even if his term was somewhat controversial (Hickle, a former
republican and Nixon Secretary of the Interior). Party membership
stands at about 4% and comes from mostly rural districts in the central
region. In some precincts their membership is as high as 24%.
The AIP platform;
_____________________________________________________________________________________
We pledge to exert our best efforts to accomplish the following:
1 To effect full compliance with the constitutions of the United States
of America and the State of Alaska.
2 To support and defend States' Rights, Individual Rights, and the
Equal Footing Doctrine as guaranteed by the constitutions of the United
States of America and the state of Alaska.
3 To support the liberalization of initiative and referendum procedures
to hold legislatures accountable to the will of the people.
4 To call and convene a State Constitutional Convention to address
the flaws in the existing State Constitution.
5 To amend the Constitution of the State of Alaska so as to re-establish
the rights of all Alaskan residents to entry upon all public lands
within the state, and to acquire private property interest there in,
under fair and reasonable conditions. Such property interest shall
include surface and sub-surface patent.
6 To foster a constitutional amendment abolishing and prohibiting
all property taxes.
7 To seek the complete repatriation of the public lands, held by the
federal government, to the state and people of Alaska in conformance
with Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17, of the federal constitution.
8 To prohibit all bureaucratic regulations and rulings purporting
to have the effect of law, except that which shall be approved by
the elected legislature.
9 To oppose with rare exception, any secret activities or expenditures
of funds of any government agency, state, federal or international.
10 To preserve and protect the Alaska Permanent Fund, Permanent fund
earnings, earnings reserve fund and individual Permanent Fund Dividends.
11 To provide for the direct popular election of the attorney general,
all judges, and magistrates.
12 To provide for the development of unrestricted, statewide, surface
transportation and utility corridors as needed by the public or any
individual.
13 To affirm and assert every possible right-of-way established under
R.S. 2477 of July 26, 1866, before its repeal by the Federal Land
Management Policy Act of October 21, 1976.
14 To support the right of the individual to keep and bear arms.
15 To support the complete abolition of the concept of sovereign or
governmental immunity, so as to restore accountability for public
servants.
16 To support the rights of parents to privately or home school their
children and to provide them individually the right to access to a
proportional share of all money provided for educational purposes
as an unrestricted grant for such purposes.
17 To support the privatization of government services.
18 To oppose the borrowing of money by government for any purposes
other than for capital improvements.
19 To strengthen the traditional family and support individual accountability
without government interference or regulation.
20 To support the right of jurors to judge the law as well as the
facts, according to their conscience.
21 To support "Jobs for Alaskans...First!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOAL
The Alaskan Independence Party's goal is the vote we were entitled
to in 1958, one choice from among the following four alternatives:
1) Remain a Territory. 2) Become a separate and Independent Nation.
3) Accept Commonwealth status. 4) Become a State, equal to the original
13.The call for this vote is in furtherance of the dream of the Alaskan
Independence Party's founding father, Joe Vogler, that Alaskans achieve
independence under a minimal government, fully responsive to the people,
and promoting a peaceful and lawful means of resolving differences.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
A
final comment; AIP has many ideas and goals in common with FSP. However,
if FSP ever chose Alaska, it's a pretty safe bet the relationship
would be one where they would expect FSP to join them. One particular
difference worth noting is, AIP prides itself on refusing contributions
from out of state... one of their main principles is "Alaska
for Alaskans." In contrast, FSP's operating strategy is to organize
like-minded individuals nationwide and gather them in one location.
In my opinion, AIP needs an influx of people from out of state willing
to embrace Alaska as their future home. In a state with significant
percentage of the population working for the government, or receiving
some form of public subsidy, AIP will never attain the numbers it
needs to dominate the political landscape without financial support
and immigration from outside of the state. FSP and AIP working together
are likely to achieve the common goals shared by both groups.
Alaskan laws and key indicators ?
(
note; the author is not specifically endorsing or opposing any of
the following laws ? they are presented here in order to provide a
basis for judgment of the current political climate )
-Gun
laws
-Concealed
permits ? recently recognized out of state permits
-Shall
issue must carry permit, 5 yrs, $200 ? notify officer when carrying,
cannot carry to school, courts, liquor store, etc.
-? strong right to keep and bear arms article
in state constitution.
-
unlicensed concealed carry Ok for hunting, camping, hiking, etc.
-
record of sale, yes ? no state registration ? no license/permit to
buy ?
-
no state waiting period
-
ordinary laws like, illegal to discharge firearms from car, or in
reckless disregard to property damage and injury to persons
Drug decriminalization
-1975 law permitted adults
to possess and grow small amounts of marijuana (under 4 oz) ? overturned
in 1990 54.3% to 45.7%.
-1998,
medical use of marijuana legalized
-2000,
Measure 5, defeated, 61% to 39% - would have regulated marijuana like
alcohol, ending penalties for use and cultivation by adults,? also legalized use of industrial hemp
Taxes and
Permanent Fund
- no state income tax, but various other business
taxes and fees
- Permanent fund provides investment dividends
to all residents
- Property issues
- no homesteading since
1986
- More than 75% of the Federal land in Alaska
closed to mining due to being located in National Parks, Preserves,
Monuments, Wildlife Refuges, or other
- 66% of land is owned by the Federal government,
not only one of the highest percentages among the states, but largest
in actual acreage
- complaints about restrictions on natural resource
land use and lack of roads into many areas
-Welfare
spending;
ranks number 3 in nation at $1073 spent per capita
on welfare payments (1997)
Abortion;
-laws prohibiting partial-birth abortion
-minor requires parental consent
-no waiting period but informed consent
-permit certain medical personnel, health facilities,
to refuse to participate in abortion on the basis of conscience
or religious conviction
-no laws specifically prohibiting clinic blockades
and harassment?
-no laws requiring spousal consent or notice
-no laws to prevent state personnel from counseling
or giving abortion referrals
-no laws prohibiting the use of public facilities
for abortion
-public funding permitted in most or all circumstances
School
Vouchers
;
-Alaska
currently has charter schools but no vouchers
-various
republican politicians? have
pushed for the issue in recent years ?
-1976,
vouchers voted down,? 54% against,? 46% for
Gay issues
-Sodomy
laws repealed in 1980
-no municipalities offer domestic partner benefits in Alaska.
-no
law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
-1998, constitutional amendment
bans marriage for same-sex couples
-
hate crimes law does not include sexual orientation
Misc. laws;
-One
regulation says no motorcycle helmets required, another says ?headgear?
is required on public roads
-mandatory seat belt laws including back seat
occupants and child restraints
- emissions testing for vehicles
-law protecting privacy of public library user's
records
-laws that protect patient access to alternative therapies from licensed
physicians
-1985 legalized ferret ownership
_______________________________________________________________________
Article I of Alaska State Constitution; Declaration of Right
SECTION
1. INHERENT RIGHTS. This constitution is dedicated to the principles
that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit
of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry;
that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities,
and protection under the law; and that all persons have corresponding
obligations to the people and to the State.
SECTION
2. SOURCE OF GOVERNMENT. All political power is inherent in the
people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon
their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people
as a whole.
SECTION
3. CIVIL RIGHTS. No person is to be denied the enjoyment of any
civil or political right because of race, color, creed, sex, or
national origin. The legislature shall implement this section.
SECTION
4. FREEDOM OF RELIGION. No law shall be made respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
SECTION
5. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Every person may freely speak, write, and
publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that
right.
SECTION
6. ASSEMBLY; PETITION. The right of the people peaceably to assemble,
and to petition the government shall never be abridged.
SECTION
7. DUE PROCESS. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or
property, without due process of law. The right of all persons to
fair and just treatment in the course of legislative and executive
investigations shall not be infringed.
SECTION
8. GRAND JURY. No person shall be held to answer for a capital,
or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment
of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the armed forces in
time of war or public danger. Indictment may be waived by the accused.
In that case the prosecution shall be by information. The grand
jury shall consist of at least twelve citizens, a majority of whom
concurring may return an indictment. The power of grand juries to
investigate and make recommendations concerning the public welfare
or safety shall never be suspended.
SECTION
9. JEOPARDY AND SELF-INCRIMINATION. No person shall be put in jeopardy
twice for the same offense. No person shall be compelled in any
criminal proceeding to be a witness against himself.
SECTION
10. TREASON. Treason against the State consists only in levying
war against it, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and
comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession
in open court.
SECTION
11. RIGHTS OF ACCUSED. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused
shall have the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial
jury of twelve, except that the legislature may provide for a jury
of not more than twelve nor less than six in courts not of record.
The accused is entitled to be informed of the nature and cause of
the accusation; to be released on bail, except for capital offenses
when the proof is evident or the presumption great; to be confronted
with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for
his defense.
SECTION
12. CRIMINAL ADMINISTRATION. Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Criminal administration shall be based upon the following: the need
for protecting the public, community condemnation of the offender,
the rights of victims of crimes, restitution from the offender,
and the principle of reformation.
SECTION
13. HABEAS CORPUS. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall
not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or actual or
imminent invasion, the public safety requires it.
SECTION
14. SEARCHES AND SEIZURES. The right of the people to be secure
in their persons, houses and other property, papers, and effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.
No warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath
or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched,
and the persons or things to be seized.
SECTION
15. PROHIBITED STATE ACTION. No bill of attainder or ex post facto
law shall be passed. No law impairing the obligation of contracts,
and no law making any irrevocable grant of special privileges or
immunities shall be passed. No conviction shall work corruption
of blood or forfeiture of estate.
SECTION
16. CIVIL SUITS; TRIAL BY JURY. In civil cases where the amount
in controversy exceeds two hundred fifty dollars, the right of trial
by a jury of twelve is preserved to the same extent as it existed
at common law. The legislature may make provision for a verdict
by not less than three-fourths of the jury and, in courts not of
record, may provide for a jury of not less than six or more than
twelve.
SECTION
17. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. There shall be no imprisonment for debt.
This section does not prohibit civil arrest of absconding debtors.
SECTION
18. EMINENT DOMAIN. Private property shall not be taken or damaged
for public use without just compensation.
SECTION
19. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. A well- regulated militia being
necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people
to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The individual right
to keep and bear arms shall not be denied or infringed by the State
or a political subdivision of the State.
SECTION
20. QUARTERING SOLDIERS. No member of the armed forces shall in
time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the
owner or occupant, or in time of war except as prescribed by law.
The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.
SECTION
21. CONSTRUCTION. The enumeration of rights in this constitution
shall not impair or deny others retained by the people.
SECTION
22. RIGHT OF PRIVACY. The right of the people to privacy is recognized
and shall not be infringed. The legislature shall implement this
section.
SECTION
23. RESIDENT PREFERENCE. This constitution does not prohibit the
State from granting preferences, on the basis of Alaska residence,
to residents of the State over nonresidents to the extent permitted
by the Constitution of the United States.
SECTION
24. RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS. Crime victims, as defined by law, shall
have the following rights as provided by law: the right to be reasonably
protected from the accused through the imposition of appropriate
bail or conditions of release by the court; the right to confer
with the prosecution; the right to be treated with dignity, respect,
and fairness during all phases of the criminal and juvenile justice
process; the right to timely disposition of the case following the
arrest of the accused; the right to obtain information about and
be allowed to be present at all criminal or juvenile proceedings
where the accused has the right to be present; the right to be allowed
to be heard, upon request, at sentencing, before or after conviction
or juvenile adjudication, and at any proceeding where the accused's
release from custody is considered; the right to restitution from
the accused; and the right to be informed, upon request, of the
accused's escape or release from custody before or after conviction
or juvenile adjudication.
SECTION
25. MARRIAGE To be valid or recognized in this State, a marriage
may exist only between one man and one woman.
_____________________________________
Geopolitical factors
_____________________________________
In
respect to sheer size and amount of natural resources, Alaska could
easily be its own self sustaining country. It's the largest state
in the union with a total area of 656,000 square miles, the next largest
state being Texas at 268,000 square miles. Currently, approximately
68% of this land is "owned" by the state and federal government.
Population density is the lowest of all the states being somewhere
around one person per square mile. It's worth stressing that like
Hawaii, Alaska is physically separate from the rest of the United
States which affords a certain cultural and psychological distance.
It is separated from the ?mother land? by Canada and pacific coastal
waters. Technically, Alaska territory is geographically closer to
Russia than the lower 48 states.
At 5, 580 miles, Alaska has a larger total coastline than both the
east and west coasts of the lower 48 states combined, and possesses
9 major ports. Valdez ranks as the nation's 10th largest port in terms
of cargo shipped. It also ranks as the 4th largest oil port in the
nation. Dutch harbor is the nation's largest port serving the commercial
fishing industry.
Anchorage airport is the nation's top international hub for air freight? moving between Europe, Asia and the U.S. The
recently opened over-the-pole air routes to Asia and Europe have cut
down the number of passenger flights, however Anchorage is still one
of the top 5 busiest air cargo airports in the world. Anchorage is
less than 9 hours from most of the industrialized world, functioning
as a re-fueling pit stop.
Oddly there is no direct road or rail system connecting Juneau
(the state capital located in the southern panhandle), and the rest
of state. However, the Alaska highway runs through Canada and ultimately
connects to the lower 48.
________________________________________________________________________
Future relations with the Federal
government and the other States of the Union
________________________________________________________________________
Inevitably questions come up about the Free State's future relationship
with the Federal government, especially in relation to issues of
sovereignty. The same issues will arise for any state, but there
are special circumstances worth noting about Alaska.
Oil reserves;
Of late there has been a debate
about whether there should be oil drilling in ANWR. ANWR represents
in miniature what is likely to become a firestorm of debate over
who controls what resources if Alaska ever moved toward independence.
The U.S. imports about 55% of the oil it needs, half of that from
OPEC countries. The U.S. consumes about 25% of global oil production,
but only owns about 3% of known reserves. 80% of known oil reserves
are in the Mideast. Crude oil production in the lower 48 states
for the year 2000 was 4.9 million barrels per day, and slightly
less than 1 million MnB/d from Alaska. Between 1973 and the present,
oil imports from the Mideast have risen by 2/3rds. The point in
all these figures is, the U.S. continues to use more oil every year,
even as the resources diminish... the U.S. government would never
let a resource of that magnitude slip through its fingers.
There are several possible scenarios
to consider;
1) the government of Alaska changes,
but business relationships stay the same. The same oil companies
continue to pump the same oil fields and the same oil is shipped
to the U.S.? Currently there
is a debate about whether any U.S. oil should be exported - approximately
7% of Alaskan crude is shipped to Asia. The U.S. government would
likely insist that present levels of oil production be guaranteed
to the U.S. in the future
2) it's possible that current
oil fields could be granted to the U.S. on a "hundred year
lease" In effect ANWR and the "National Petroleum Reserve
in Alaska" would continue to be owned by the Federal government.
The question is whether Alaska would be deprived of any economic
benefit beyond providing local services to the industry.
3) It's also quite possible that
the U.S. would simply carve out the oil reserves and retain them
as territories without regard to negotiation with the nation of
Alaska. With serious talk of "taking over" mideast oil
fields, there is little doubt that many in the lower 48 would view
this as both practical and justified.
National Parks
While it may be hard for a libertarian
to understand that this could seriously be debated, the issue of
who actually owns Alaska pertains not only to oil, but wildlife
reserves, national parks and ecosystems. To put it bluntly, many
in the lower 48 think that they "own" Alaska as much,
if not more than the people that live there. This is not only the
mindset of government bureaucrats, but many people that regard themselves
as "environmentalists." There is an increasingly worrisome
mindset among eco-nuts that is likely to create a problem for Alaskan
independence. Many in this category openly profess a leftwing "global
citizen" bent... they are not only hostile to the concept of
individual property rights and private business,?
but may even scorn national sovereignty in favor of internationalist/UN
control of "natural areas." The same mindset can be observed
operating within the U.S., again, well illustrated by the ANWR debate.
Often portrayed as a sort of pristine Yellowstone of the north,
there is a call by many environmentalists to "protect"
an area that is essentially an uninhabited, barren, flat wasteland.
In essence they want to keep all of Alaska untouched like some sort
of "Pleistocene Park." If this frozen swamp is debated
so hotly, imagine the protest over?
letting a bunch of "extremist"? "nature raping" libertarians take over Denali. I recall
seeing a news report once concerning the issue of allowing the wolf
hunting in Alaska. For some reason they were driven to get a "man
on the street" opinion from a woman in New York City. Her opinion
was as enlightening as it was disturbing... she expressed outrage
over the hunting and said that she, as a New Yorker, owned Alaska
as much as the people that lived there and thus had a say in such
things. While the hubris was astounding, this anecdote illustrates
the resistance FSP would likely encounter simply based on "environmental
protection" issues. That an urban dweller living over 3000
miles away, has as much "right" to create and impose law
over the people that actually live and work in Alaska, is the core
of the resentment so many Alaskans feel toward the lower 48. But,
this "protecting nature" posturing is likely to be used
as another justification of why Alaskans couldn't be "trusted"
with their own land. If push came to shove, it would probably be
desirable to carve out and relinquish chunks of territory like Denali
to the Fed's in order to remove it as a contested issue.
Percentage of Federally
Owned Land
Vermont, ????????????????????
7%
West Virginia ????????????? 7%
New Hampshire ????????? 13.2%
Hawaii ????????????????????????
16%
Delaware ???????????????????? 19%
Wyoming, ??????????????????? 49%
Oregon, ?????????????????????? 60%
Idaho, ???????????????????????? 62%
Utah, ?????????????????????????? 64%
Alaska
???????????? 66%
Nevada??????????????????????? 82%
-------------------------------------
Military presence
The single biggest
employer in the state is the military at over 17,000, and this is
just counting "uniformed" personnel... it doesn't even
include support services provided by civilians. The early warning
radar system (DEW) was deployed in Alaska in the 60's to detect
a possible Soviet bomber and missile attack. Ground based radar
and interceptors are still stationed there, although since the reduction
in tensions between the Russia and the U.S. there has been a progressive
decline in the number of personnel stationed there.? The primary role for Alaska is as a staging
ground for possible force projection?
into the pacific and Asia. As such, the U.S, would never
give up access to those bases. Of course, even secession wouldn't
necessarily mean cutting off military cooperation with U.S. Such
a relationship would be necessary for the defense of Alaska in the
foreseeable future as the Nation of Alaska couldn't deploy a credible
military defense by itself. There isn't any reason to doubt that
U.S. military bases could (or should) continue to operate there
just as they do in other European and Asian countries, although
the nature of such alliances would have to be carefully thought
out. There is the possibility that current military bases would
simply continue to be owned outright by the U.S. just as Guantanamo
Bay is in Cuba.
Partitioning Alaska
As was stated
earlier, there may be a rationale for ceding pieces of Alaskan territory
to the U.S. government for oil, natural resource and military issues,
as the main issue for Alaskan independence is not acquiring huge
tracts of land, but political autonomy. For instance, as was already
mentioned, the oil fields of the far north would probably have to
be surrendered, as might certain nature reserves. It would not be
necessary for the Nation of Alaska to keep control of the Aleutian
chain, although that represents a military asset to the U.S. If
certain areas, Kodiak Island for instance, wanted to stay within
the U.S, we would of course, never stand in their way, as we support
self determination for everyone. The same thing might go for certain
Native American villages and corporations, they might feel they'd
get a better deal staying with the U.S. as a protectorate.
The best scenario
might be to encourage the "pan-handle"? to remain with the U.S. as the State of Alaska.
This might be highly desirable for two reasons. Imagine the controversy
and embarrassment over having part of the United States leave the
union (we know what happened last time). Funny as it sounds to say,
think about the symbolic act of having to change the flag of the
U.S. back to 49 stars... the political and historical?
humiliation that would represent. It might be desirable to
allow the Feds to "save face" by allowing them to keep
a certain chunk of land that still fulfills the role of being the
50th state. The "pan handle" is almost perfectly designed
for such a purpose. The capital of the state is located there in
Juneau, probably chosen because it was the closest spot to the lower
48. However, oddly enough, there is no direct road or rail connection
to the rest of the state. Transportation in and out is mostly by
air, although cruise ships frequent the area. Juneau can be reached
by roads into Canada, but for all intents and purposes they are
geographically isolated from the rest of Alaska by a narrow band
of impassable mountains (would that we were all so lucky with our
state capitals) They actually considered using nuclear weapons to
blow a pass through the area in the 60's but gave up the idea as
impractical. I mentioned that the seat of state government is located
there. Such a ceding of the pan-handle would also provide a very
convenient and easy excision of a cyst of government employees and
infrastructure, the single strongest coalition likely to resist
secession or even simple libertarian reform of government.
August 28, 2002
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent
those of the Free State Project, its Officers, or Directors.
Participants
in New Hampshire
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