AKPIRG quoted in the Anchorage Daily News

Published: March 8th, 2010

In today’s Anchorage Daily News story about a crucial campaign finance reform initiative in the state legislature, AKPIRG’s Matt Wallace is quoted as saying of the Supreme Court’s disastrous January ruling in ‘Citizens United’:
“That decision didn’t invent the problem of big-money influence in politics — we all know that big money too often can buy [...]

AKPIRG on KTUU: Supreme Court Decision takes Big Money influence on politics from bad to much, much worse

Published: January 25th, 2010

You can read the transcript here, or just check out this clip:

Here’s some more background on the issue:
Citizens United vs. Federal Elections Commission
• For more than sixty years federal law has banned corporations from spending their treasury funds directly on elections.
• With it’s Jan. 21, the Roberts Court turned back the clock. Campaign [...]

Our Guest Column in the Anchorage Daily News

Published: January 25th, 2010

This guest column in the Anchorage Daily News expands on our recent blog post Murkowski and the Big Money Lobbyists, with new information regarding campaign contributions and greater detail on the Senator’s proposals regarding the EPA.
You can read the piece on the Anchorage Daily News website, or the text is below:
Murkowski EPA Attach [...]

KTUU Covers Our Toy Safety Report

Published: November 28th, 2009

AkPIRG releases annual toy safety report
by Channel 2 News staff
Saturday, November 28, 2009

According to AkPIRG’s report, some toys on shelves still contain lead — despite federal recalls of 1.3 million toys for lead paint this year alone.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Public Interest Research Group is warning parents to keep safety in mind when shopping [...]

Anchorage Daily News Covers Our Toy Safety Report

Published: November 25th, 2009

Toy risks include lead, plastics, group warns parents
REPORT: Small parts and loud sounds are also on the hazard list.
By NATASHA T. METZLER
The Associated Press
Holiday shoppers should look out for toy hazards such as small parts, loud sounds, soft plastics and lead contamination, consumer advocates warned Tuesday.

These dangers were highlighted by the U.S. Public Interest Research [...]

AkPIRG Releases 24th Annual Toy Safety Report

Published: November 24th, 2009

Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, AkPIRG announced on Tuesday in its 24th annual Trouble in Toyland report.

The latest Trouble in Toyland report, along with a new interactive tool accessible via smart phone or computer – toysafety.mobi or www.toysafety.net – will help parents and other toy-buyers avoid some common hazards.

Our Letter to the Editor in the Anchorage Daily News: Workers Need Paid Sick Days

Published: November 12th, 2009

Our Letter to the Editor, published today in the Anchorage Daily News:
Workers Need Paid Sick Days
As reported in The New York Times on Tuesday (“Lack of Paid Sick Days May Worsen Flu Pandemic”), when 40 percent of the working population lack a paid sick leave policy, everybody suffers. This isn’t just an issue of fairness; [...]

AKPIRG Hires New Executive Director

Published: September 21st, 2009

The Alaska Public Interest Research Group has announced the hire of Matt Wallace as Executive Director, effective November 2nd 2009.  Matt has worked with the State Public Interest Research Groups PIRGs since 2001, where he has held a variety of roles from fundraiser and volunteer organizer to legislative advocate.  He brings a strong passion for [...]

Alaska Residents Overcharged for Cable

Published: September 1st, 2009

AKPIRG is pushing for state regulation of Alaska cable television.

Only one city in Alaska has regulated cable TV rates: Juneau. In contrast, in most Lower 48 communities, the rates cable companies charge customers are locally regulated, the Federal Communications Commission says.

AKPIRG Identifies $7 Billion Health Care Savings for Alaska

Published: August 7th, 2009

Anchorage, AK — Health care reform can save the nation $3 trillion, with billions of dollars of benefits for every state in the union, according to a new report released today by the Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG).

“Over the past decade, Congress has sat on the sidelines while premiums have doubled,” said AKPIRG Director Gabe Aceves. “We know how to get skyrocketing costs under control – now it’s time for Congress to step up and pass the strong cost-saving policies that Alaska needs.”

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Renewable Energy

Despite being an energy producing state, fuel and energy prices in Alaska continue to rise. Alaskans will continue to pay higher prices for energy as long as the bulk of our utility costs are tied to the volatile prices of fossil fuels. But we can change. Alaska has more potential for true energy independence through renewable energy than any other state in the union.

Voting & Democracy

Nothing is more critical to the success of our Democracy than free and fair elections. A citizen’s right to cast a ballot free from discrimination, prejudice, partisanship and intimidation is a right that should be guarded without compromise.

Alaska Public Interest Research Group is a non-partisan, non-profit, citizen oriented statewide organization researching, educating and advocating on behalf of the public interest. AKPIRG exists to promote the public and consumer interests, especially when inconsistent with moneyed, powerful or other special interests.