Anchorage, Alaska — A recent federal court decision forces the Alaska Chamber to pause its efforts to offer comprehensive health coverage at a reasonable cost to their members. The March 28 ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia invalidated a portion of the Department of Labor's (DOL) final rule expanding the range of association health plans (AHP). In the 43-page ruling, Senior District Judge John D. Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia held that two
Anchorage, Alaska — The Alaska Chamber applauds Governor Dunleavy for proposing a spending plan that matches current revenues. This action will surely prompt necessary and critical conversations that must occur across Alaska in order to achieve a durable and sustainable fiscal plan. “For many years, the Chamber has advocated that state government reduce its spending to sustainable levels. The Chamber also supports a meaningful spending cap on operating budget expenditures. Achieving a durable and
Anchorage, Alaska — The Alaska Chamber is pleased to announce the hiring of Albert Fogle as Vice President. In his role, Albert will focus on advocacy, legislative issues, as well as operations and financial management. Before joining the Chamber, Albert worked for RISQ Consulting as an Employee Benefits and Business Consultant. During his time at RISQ, he was responsible for developing, implementing, and executing strategic sales plans to achieve RISQ Consulting’s sales goals and objectives. He is a
Anchorage, AK – The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. ACA’s one-size-fits-all federal mandates do not work for Alaska. The existing law reduces competition in Alaska’s health insurance market, threatens the healthcare coverage and the wellness of Alaskans, as well as our state’s economy. Under Obamacare, premiums for individuals and business owners have soared. Alaskans pay some of the highest insurance costs in the country—more than 100 percent
Anchorage, AK – The Alaska Chamber is pleased to announce that it has promoted Ben Mulligan to Vice President. A lifelong Alaskan, Ben most recently served as the Legislative Liaison to the Department of Fish and Game under Governor Sean Parnell’s administration. That along with his 12 years of experience in state government made him a perfect fit for the position. “Ben has earned this promotion through his hard work, dedication and attention to detail. In this new position, he will become an even more
Download.PDFAnchorage, AK – After the House Majority’s introduction of House Bill 111 today, Alaska Chamber President and CEO Curtis W. Thayer issued the following statement in disappointment of HB 111: “HB 111 is yet another change to oil and gas taxes in a series of changes that creates uncertainty for national and global investors. In the last 11 years alone there have been six changes to Alaska’s oil and gas taxes. The latest change, House Bill 247, was just signed by the Governor into law last July
Anchorage, AK – Alaska Chamber President and CEO Curtis W. Thayer today issued a statement condemning President Obama’s unprecedented decision to deny future development of Alaska’s arctic waters. “Earlier this afternoon, the president issued an 11th hour decision that indefinitely closes the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas to energy development,” said Thayer. “Obama claims that this action is good for Alaska, that he’s doing it for our benefit. But if you talk to the people that live on our Arctic waters – and
Anchorage, AK – The Alaska Chamber’s mission is to promote a healthy business environment in Alaska. For years, the Chamber has advocated for sustainable state spending and reducing the operating budget to a level Alaskans can afford. Uncertainty regarding Alaska’s fiscal future harms families and businesses, and discourages private investment in the state. Among a list of spending cuts included in Governor Walker’s state budget proposal released yesterday, is a recommendation to freeze step increases for
Anchorage, AK – Following the election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, Alaska Chamber President and CEO Curtis W. Thayer joined National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons and more than 1,100 manufacturing and business leaders from across the U.S. in pledging to help bring the country back together after a divisive election. “Alaska is in a great position to advance a pro-development, pro-resource agenda,” said Thayer. “With President-elect Trump
Kenai, AK – The recipients for the William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year, Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year, and Local Chamber of Commerce of the Year were announced on Wednesday, October 12 at the Alaska Chamber’s annual Top Business Awards in Kenai, Alaska.William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year Jim Udelhoven is the recipient of the celebrated and prestigious William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year award. The award is presented to individuals who have made substantial and
Kenai, AK – Members of the Alaska Chamber will convene this week in Kenai, Alaska for the annual Alaska Chamber Conference, Top Business Awards and Policy Forum. Attendees will meet for three days to discuss the business issues at play in Alaska. This year, a delegation of trade partners from the Puget Sound region will join Alaska’s business leaders to illuminate a path forward for the state. “We know that the ports, producers and consumers of the Pacific Northwest play a foundational role in Alaska’s
Anchorage, Alaska – The Alaska Chamber appreciates the earnest gravity of Alaska’s current fiscal dilemma. The Chamber applauds the efforts by the Governor and the Legislature for tackling the hard topic of trying to match State spending levels to long-term revenues. There is much more work to be done and the operating budget vetoes continue the tough yet necessary actions necessary to achieve a government we can afford. The Chamber supports a positive investment climate that provides confidence and
Anchorage, AK – The Alaska Chamber supports House legislative efforts to curtail increased spending as the State grapples with a dramatic budget shortfall. House Bill 379 – a bill that checks automatic pay raises when oil revenues are low. It is a meaningful step in controlling automatic increases to an already unsustainable operating budget. Alaskan’s have responded with hope that the State might now be willing to control costs while continuing to pursue cuts and alternative revenues. Hal Ingalls, a
Anchorage, AK – The Alaska Chamber is pleased to announce the selection of life-long Alaskan Curtis Thayer as President and CEO. He replaces Rachael Petro, who moved out of state after guiding the Chamber for almost five years. Thayer’s first day with the Chamber will be on Monday, November 16. As President and CEO, Thayer will oversee the Chamber’s operations as well as work with staff to ensure Chamber programs and services run with a high degree of excellence that its membership has come to
Fairbanks, AK – The recipients for the Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year, Local Chamber of Commerce of the Year, William A. Egan Alaskan of the Year and North Star Award were announced on Wednesday, October 14 at the Alaska Chamber’s annual Awards Gala in Fairbanks, Alaska.Bill Bivins Small Business of the Year Date-Line Digital Printing is the recipient of the Bill Bivins Small Business of the Year award. Established in 1993, the award pays tribute to businesses that exemplify leadership, ethics and
Fairbanks, AK – Members of the Alaska business community today thanked Governor Bill Walker for taking initial steps toward putting the state on solid financial footing by asking Alaskans to take a hard look at government spending, as well as potential revenue enhancements. “We know from our scientific poll conducted earlier this year that a majority of Alaskans want to see the State of Alaska ‘make deep cuts to state spending, even if it means a reduction in services,’” said Rachael Petro, President and
Anchorage, AK – Alaska businesses will pay for uninsured Alaskans through the proposed Medicaid expansion or through increased health care costs. The Alaska Chamber supports Medicaid expansion for this reason. The Chamber’s support for Medicaid expansion ends when the federal funding ends or falls below its initial promise. Our support also ends if expansion exacerbates the State’s fiscal situation. The Chamber’s top priority this year is reducing State spending. Alaskans agree it’s time for the State to
Anchorage, AK - The Alaska Chamber joined with 375 trade associations and chambers from 50 states representing a wide range of industries to voice strong concerns with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ flawed proposed rule to dramatically expand the scope of federal authority over water and land uses across the U.S. and called for the proposal to be withdrawn. The effort was led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "With the vast majority of Alaska deemed
Girdwood, AK – This year's recipients for the William A. Egan Alaskan of the Year, Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year, and Local Chamber of Commerce of the Year were announced on Wednesday, October 22 at the Alaska Chamber’s annual conference in Girdwood, Alaska. Roger Burggraf is the recipient of the prestigious 2014 William A. Egan Alaskan of The Year award. The celebrated and prestigious William A. Egan award is presented to individuals who have made substantial and continual contributions of
Girdwood, AK – Members of the Alaska Chamber voted to adopt new policy positions adding to its already robust advocacy agenda. The Policy Forum is held annually to establish policy positions for the upcoming year based on proposals submitted by members of the Chamber. Thirteen positions were added to the Chamber’s existing slate of over 40 positions. In a subsequent meeting, the Chamber's Board of Directors established four priorities, two federal and two state. The 2015 Alaska Chamber federal priorities
Anchorage, AK – After working collaboratively with the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC) Co-Chairs to select three Alaska business leaders to participate in an initial meeting of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC), the Alaska Chamber is pleased to learn of AEC’s successful founding meeting held on September 2-3 in Iqaluit, Nunavut. “The Chamber supports sustainable, environmentally conscience economic growth in Alaska,” said Rachael Petro, Alaska Chamber President/CEO. “With Alaska’s economic
Anchorage, AK – The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the call for nominations for the 2014 Top Business Awards is now open. Celebrating its 50th year, the Top Business Awards recognize the accomplishments of leading businesses, chambers of commerce and individuals in their contributions they make to our statewide economy. The awards are presented in four categories that include: Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year AwardLocal Chamber of the Year AwardWilliam A. Egan
Anchorage, AK – The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce (Alaska Chamber) and the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission (AAPC) Co-Chairs are pleased to announce the individuals selected to participate in the initial meeting of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC). The AEC is intended to foster sustainable development, including economic growth, environmental protection and social development in the Arctic. During Canada’s Arctic Council chairmanship (2013-15), the Arctic Council states and Indigenous Permanent
Anchorage, AK - Today, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce (Alaska Chamber) joined 30 other state chambers of commerce in calling on Congress to act on critical transportation infrastructure. Congress currently faces a critical crossroads as they begin to discuss both the solvency of the Federal Highway Trust Fund and the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill passed in 2012. “U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently noted that over 100,000 of America’s bridges are old enough to be
Anchorage, AK – Nearly 100 Alaska State Chamber of Commerce members gathered in Juneau for the annual Legislative Fly-In. The two-day event provided Chamber members the opportunity to review and convey their 2014 legislative priorities to elected officials. “The Alaska Chamber has never spoken with a stronger voice. Record setting attendance and the reception from lawmakers across both isles is a clear indication of the momentum,” said Alaska Chamber Chair Brad Osborne. Board Member, Mary Ann Pease of
Anchorage, AK – This years recipients for the William A. Egan Alaskan of The Year, Bill Bivin Small Business of The Year, and Local Chamber of Commerce of The Year were announced Tuesday, October 15th at the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce annual conference in Fairbanks, Alaska. In addition to the annual awards, the prestigious North Star Award was presented. Margy Johnson is the recipient of the 2013 William A. Egan Alaskan of The Year award. The celebrated and prestigious William A. Egan award is