Initiative would stifle free speech rights of Alaskans

If passed, it would paralyze political discourse between citizens and elected officials

An anti-free-speech initiative would severely limit the right of Alaskans to speak freely with their elected leaders.  The initiative will appear on the August 24 primary ballot.  The initiative would stifle free speech for educators and their families, other public employees, the business community, Native corporations, non-profit organizations, and anybody else who does business with the state or a local government.   At the 2010 NEA-Alaska Delegate Assembly, delegates voted unanimously do what it takes to defeat the initiative.

"Our members acted in the interest of protecting free speech rights and social justice for all Alaskans," said NEA-Alaska President Barb Angaiak.  "The initiative, if it were to pass, would paralyze our American system of political discourse between elected officials and the citizens they serve."

What would the anti-free-speech law do?

It would silence the political free speech of any entity that has a government contract, including a labor union that represents any public employees.

  • It prohibits dues check-off payroll deductions for public employees.
  • It prohibits union PAC check-off payroll deductions for public employees.
  • It prohibits individuals employed by a union that represents public employees from holding or running for political office.
  • It prohibits unions that represent public employees from contributing through their PACs to any candidate for public office.
  • It prohibits the officers, administrators, trustees, and employees of a "labor organization" that represents public employees from contributing to any candidate for public office, including contributions made directly or indirectly through the immediate family members of the officers, administrators, trustees, and employees of a "labor organization"
  • It prohibits the expenditure of public funds for all partisan purposes, including the use of public funds for the financing of campaigns

Who is behind this initiative?

  • Howie Rich- a New York multi-millionaire -who believes that if the political voice of working families is diminished, he and his friends will increase their political influence.
  • In 2006 Rich was behind the nationwide push for the anti-worker initiative, TABOR.
  • In 2008 he started to push to diminish the voice of public employees with initiatives such as the one Alaskans are facing.

Why haven't Alaskans heard more about this initiative?

The initiative flew under the radar.  With the misleading name of "Anti - Corruption Act," most Alaskan individuals and organizations have assumed it does not apply to them.

Natural allies in the fight to defeat the anti-free-speech initiative

Unions aren't alone in this battle. There is a long list of potential allies who receive government contracts and don't want their political voice silenced.  Not all of these organizations are on board yet, because of the stealth tactics of the Outside initiative sponsor.

  • Alaska Municipal League
  • Alaska Association of School Boards
  • Association of General Contractors
  • Resource Development Council
  • Lobbyists
  • Current and former citizen political office holders
  • Anyone holding a "government contract"

How is NEA-Alaska gearing up to defeat the initiative?

Working through a coalition, we are reaching out to natural allies such as other education organizations, the construction and resource development industries, and others holding a "government contract." Already on record in opposition to the initiative is the Alaska Municipal League.

 What's next?

  • We have about 6 months until the August 24th primary election
  • We must expand our coalition
  • Start the campaign ... And BEAT IT AT THE BALLOT BOX

We must kill this initiative.  It is certified and on the August ballot. 

We hope that you will help us in our effort to get the word out to all Alaskans.  If you want more information or materials to share with your members, contact John Alcantra at 1-800-996-3225 or john.alcantra@neaalaska.org.  Working together we can defeat this profoundly undemocratic initiative.

To read initiative text, please click on link below:  

http://www.elections.alaska.gov/petitions/07anco.pdf