BUSINESS toBUSINESS MAY 2014 I’m voting No on 1 for positive partnerships By Rick Mystrom dends — that’s $175,000 for a family Co-chair, Vote No on 1 of five. And that fund has nothing to do with taxes. It’s funded with 25 percent Few issues affect Alaskans of Alaska’s fixed royalty. If more than the health of our production increases, our economy. During the 42 years royalty share goes up. If pro- my family and I have lived duction goes down, our roy- here, we’ve experienced both alty share into the Permanent good and bad economic times. Fund goes down. As a two-term Anchorage But we’ve also had shorter mayor, as a businessman, as periods of unhealthy eco- a parent and now as a grand- nomic times accompanied parent, I know and appreci- by hardship for tens of thou- ate the benefits of a thriving sands of Alaskans. In the economy. Mystrom mid-80s when the price of Since the beginning of oil dropped from $30 to $9 a We’ve watched our oil the failed tax of the previous Alaska’s partnership with the oil indus- barrel, the state, the oil industry and our partners’ investments administration that con- try we’ve had long periods of healthy eco- citizens all suffered. Thousands of our and oil service com- tained some of the highest nomic times accompanied by prosperity neighbors lost their homes, businesses panies’ employees taxes in the world and it in both the private and public sectors of went bankrupt, banks closed and left the move to Texas, Cali- did nothing to encourage our economy. Schools have been built state and citizens left our state. Anchor- fornia, North Dakota, production of a single, around the state, our university system age lost 13 percent of its population and and other states who new drop of oil on the has grown dramatically, and health and 25 percent of its assessed value. The In- welcome their invest- North Slope? human services facilities have been built terior, the Mat-Su Valley, the Kenai and ment dollars and our If we vote to repeal debt-free, all largely funded by the oil the rest of Alaska suffered equally. But employees. our current tax and return to the industry/State of Alaska partnership. the State of Alaska/oil Industry partner- The tax structure now in place, cre- old tax, not only will our oil partners’ In Anchorage alone, we built the Sul- ship survived, and in the late 80’s we be- ated by Senate Bill 21, encourages pro- investments go to other states and our livan Arena, the Loussac Library, the gan a long period of sustained, gradual duction. Our North Slope partners have production continue its decline, but it Alaska Center for Performing Arts, the growth. already committed to $4.5 billion in new would also be likely to end plans for a Egan Center and the Dena’ina Conven- The continuation of our economic projects since Senate Bill 21 was passed large-diameter natural gas pipeline and tion Center—all without any debt. The growth is now threatened. We’re facing and signed by the governor. LNG plant to get North Slope natural gas partnership has worked well for Alaska a $2 billion deficit. This deficit is the Now comes another very important to Alaska communities along a pipeline and has given us an unmatched quality direct result of lower oil prices and de- decision point for Alaskans — a deci- route and to profitable markets in Asia. of life. All of this was accomplished with creased production. The claim that this sion that will determine Alaska’s future In August, I’m voting to keep our an oil tax rate that was more competitive deficit is a result of the new tax structure for years to come. In August we will vote economy and our permanent fund and far lower than the old tax system, is a myth. The deficit would be virtually on a ballot issue that asks whether we healthy. I’m voting against repealing our ACES. the same under either the old tax struc- want to encourage our healthy partner- tax structure. I’m voting “no” on Ballot In addition, that partnership has al- ture (ACES) or the new tax structure now ship that provides 90 percent of our state Measure 1. lowed us to accumulate over $76 billion in place. government’s funding or discourage it. in liquid assets including $50 billion in We can’t do anything about oil prices Do we want to keep the new tax passed Rick Mystrom is a former two-term may- the Permanent Fund. The fund has paid but we can do something about produc- by the Legislature last year which has or of Anchorage, a former member of the every Alaskan who has lived here since tion. We can discourage it or encour- already resulted in new investment and Anchorage Assembly, and a successful its inception more than $35,000 in divi- age it. ACES discouraged production. new jobs, or do we want to return to businessman. Get out the vote, encourage workforce participation By Brad Osborne Let’s look at the reasons why voters Chair, Alaska Chamber don’t vote. And let’s consider how those SOME IDEAS TO ENCOURAGE VOTING of us in business can encourage our co- • Consider not voting on the way to or from the office; let your employees see you leave for the polls. The workplace can be a difficult fo- workers to engage. Show them that, not only is it okay, it’s encouraged rum for political discussion. There are We’ll consider three of the most com- • Take someone with you parts of the political process, however, mon reasons why workers don’t vote. • Arrange a carpool list for workers without regular access to a reliable vehicle that find a comfortable home in the work- • Juggle schedules on polling day to make sure everyone has a chance to participate place. Getting out the vote is a perfect “Oh, is that today?” example of work and the political process There’s no excuse for our co-workers combining for a recipe for success. Most to miss out on their opportunity to par- “I’m not even sure what we’re partisan informational resources. states provide a framework for employ- ticipate in elections because they were voting on.” ers to accommodate employee voters. In unaware. Modern workforces are more It can be frustrating when people that “I just didn’t have time.” Alaska, state statute §15.15.100 defines connected than ever. We’ve progressed we work with aren’t interested in the Remember our friend Alaska Statute how paid time off is made available for far beyond the days of the poorly distrib- same things that capture our attention. §15.15.100? Every Alaskan worker has employees to make it to the polls. uted and seldom-read newsletter. This is especially true when the topic at time to participate in our electoral process, In all my years in business, I have Employers have access to increas- hand will have resounding implications and this is a place where we as employers never heard an employer begrudge an ingly powerful communication tools; for our companies and our communities. have an opportunity to lead by example. employee their opportunity to vote. Quite intranets, company email, video confer- Luckily, we live in an age of infor- This starts, of course, by voting ourselves. the opposite, in fact. encing. We use them to focus attention mation. We have access to bipartisan Take some time and plan ahead for If my experience is any indication, on important, organization-wide impera- tools like “ProsperityAlaska.org” and the coming election season. Make sure employers express frustration that their tives like safety. Those same tools can business relevant tools like the “Alaska that you’re prepared for the issues that employees aren’t more interested and be used to promote civic involvement. Business Report” Card. Employers are matter to you and your business. And involved in elections. To them, I say, None of us are going to tell our employ- correct to approach the discussion of make sure that your co-workers have “Well… let’s change that. Let’s get them ees how to vote. However, as a commu- specific candidates and ballot initia- every opportunity to educate themselves interested. Let’s get them involved.” nity, people in business can do more to tives with caution. Still, we can work on those issues as well. Everyone can agree voting is important. keep our coworkers informed about when together to disrupt voter apathy by pro- And most importantly … GET OUT Why then are voter turnouts so low? and how to exercise their right to vote. viding access to timely, fair and non- THERE AND VOTE! 1 Page 2 • May 2014 • Business to Business – Alaska Chamber State-of-the-art OR open at Alaska Native Medical Center By Darbi Daley Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium As Alaska’s only Level II Trauma Center, the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) serves as the trauma referral center for all Anchorage hospitals and for every Alaska Tribal health facility. The ANMC hospital’s trauma care and services took another leap forward for its patients with the recent opening of its new hybrid operating room (OR). The technology used in this hybrid OR is the first of its kind in Alaska. The hybrid OR provides the infrastructure that allows interventionalists to use the latest technologies and collaborate with their imaging and surgical colleagues to provide state-of- the art treatments for trauma patients.