Campaign Summary
In 2017, a coalition of citizens came together to fight for the Alaska Government Accountability Act (AGAA), designed to root out conflicts of interest, reduce per diem payments, and limit lobbyist gifts. Over the course of three months of Alaskan winter, grassroots volunteers worked to gather over 45,000 signatures from voters across the political spectrum.
In the face of immense public support, the legislature approved the AGAA with broad support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in the summer of 2018.
July 2018
July 19, 2018
- House Bill 44 signed into law by Governor Bill Walker (I) thanks to the people of Alaska
- Alaska becomes the latest state to pass a strong anti-corruption act – part of the biggest year of anti-corruption reforms since Watergate
May 2018
March 2018
March 23, 2018
- Faced with overwhelming public support for the AGAA, lawmakers add most of its provisions to HB 44, which had been stalled for over a year
- Former opponents of HB 44 line up to support the amended bill
August 2017
August 29, 2017
- Frustrated by politicians’ refusal to pass accountability rules, coalition of legislators and citizens forms to pass Alaska Government Accountability Act (AGAA), designed to root out conflicts of interest, reduce per diem payments, and limit lobbyist gifts
- Measure sponsored by Rep. Grenn (I), Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins (D), and Republican activist Bonnie Jack
January 2017
January 18, 2017
- Rep. Jason Grenn (I) introduces House Bill 44, a bill to strengthen conflict of interest laws
- Cites concern of diminishing trust in lawmakers: “I was hearing more and more about not trusting people to go down to Juneau”
- Bill stalls, due in part to opposition from politicians employed by oil and gas companies
June 2013
June 24, 2013
- Alaska politicians pass law cutting taxes on oil companies, led by ConocoPhillips-employed legislators
November 2006
November 7, 2006
- Citizens pass initiative limiting legislative session to 90 days
- For ten years, politicians ignore the will of the people, holding session for up to 121 days and following with weeks of special session
- Politicians keep earning per diems while they stay in session
Press Hits
July 23, 2018
JuneauEmpire.com: Alaskans made government accountable to the people
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman: Alaskans made government accountable to the people
July 18, 2018
Anchorage Daily News: Alaskans deserve credit for their part in legislative ethics reform
KTUU: Bill to cut lawmakers’ perks set for signing today
June 2 – 14, 2018
Anchoarge Daily News: What’s in a name? The ‘Accountability Act’ is anything but
KTOO: Legislative ethics bill will keep issue off fall ballot
Juneau.Empire.com: Lt. Gov nixes good governance ballot measure
AP: Grenn: Group won’t challenge decision on ethics initiative
May 12 –14, 2018
AP: Alaska legislature passes budgets and extends session
KTVA: Juneau lawmakers urges 75%cut to per diem pay
Juneau.Empire.com: Legislature will boot ballot measure if governor signs “government accountability bill”
Daily News-Miner: Alaska gov: no plans to call a special session
March 14, 2018
Independent Voter Network: New Alaska Initiative Reins In Lobbyists, Foreign Influence on Elections
January 12 – 16, 2018
KTUU: Petitions filed on accountability initiative in Alaska
KTOO: Petitions submitted to bar payments to lawmakers if they miss budget deadline
Midnight Sun: Initiative to toughen Legislature’s ethics and per diem rules has enough signatures for 2018 ballot, backers say
AP: Signatures delivered on initiative restraining lawmakers
KTVA: Signatures submitted for Alaska good-governance initiative
JuneauEmpire.com: The case for fewer rules and more transparency
Kodiak Daily Mirror: Kodiak contributes 600 signatures to ballot measure
December 5 – 22, 2017
Anchorage Daily News: State commission reverses plan to slash Alaska legislators’ expense checks
Beaumont Express: Alaska lawmaker takes fight over conflicts to the voters
JuneauEmpire.com: Commission delays cutting legislator pay until after elections
KFSK: Commentary by State Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins “Alaskans For Integrity Ballot Initiative”
KCAW: Initiative sponsors want legislature to pass a budget on time, every time
October 8 – 9, 2017
Daily News-Miner: Measure to limit Alaska lawmakers’ per diem gets OK’d for signature gathering
JuneauEmpire.com: Lt. Gov Mallott approves per diem ballot measure
August 28 – 31, 2017
Midnight Sun: Proposed initiative would end legislative per diem if legislators can’t pass budget
KTVA: Initiative wants no overtime pay for lawmakers
JuneauEmpire.com: New ballot initiative targets legislators’ per diem
Anchorage Daily Planet: Salvation is on the way
Alaska Dispatch News: Alaska ethics initiative targets legislators’ travel, per diem and lobbyist-paid meals
Daily News-Miner: Proposed ballot initiative would cut legislators per diem after first session
A.P.: Proposal Would Address Allowance, Travel by Alaska Lawmakers
Your Alaska Link: Tonight’s Morris Alaska Report Covers State Legislators Per Diem Pay
SitNews: Alaska Government Accountability Act
USA Today: State By State