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Annual Innovation Summit shows the opportunity of economic crisis [CapitalCityWeekly.com]

 

The state’s fiscal crisis is no tiny problem. Oil prices are volatile, reserves are depleting and the state is facing a financial deficit. At this year’s Innovation Summit, held in Juneau in early February, Governor Walker addressed more than two hundred of the state’s top entrepreneurs, politicians, investors and leaders. He discussed his budget plan and the need to diversify and shift the state away from a mono-focus on a non-renewable oil industry.

Tough budget cuts, Walker explained are inevitable. “Of course, you can’t make everybody happy,” Walker said. “But nobody is happy with this year’s budget proposal, not even my wife.” That being said, Walker stressed the importance of having a plan, no matter the difficulty and heartbreak involved with drafting that plan. That fiscal plan, he said, was written in pencil, not pen. Rebuilding a stronger Alaskan economy will require a collaborative effort that cuts across sectors. The governor looked across the audience, asking for input and calling upon the creativity and resourcefulness that comes naturally to Alaskans. 

.....For example, Matt Hirschfeld, the Medical Director of Alaska Native Medical Center, outlined the serious long-term economic impact that adverse childhood experiences, such as drug abuse and domestic abuse, have on the state. Victims of early age abuse cost the state billions of dollars in programming and medical costs. What if we invested more in preventative programming? We could not only boost the health, wellbeing and happiness of our population, but we could save more money in the process. Shuman pointed to the example of state medical expenditures and costs. Perhaps Alaska can’t localize the creation of pharmaceuticals or costly medical devices, but what if we invested in more preventative infrastructure? Again, we can build a healthier population while preventing more money from leaking out of our state’s economy.

To continue reading this article by Bethany Goodrich, go to: http://www.capitalcityweekly.c...new_1266859339.shtml

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Mark, thank you for that update, however upsetting the news is. What actions would you recommend members of ACEs Connection take? Calling their representatives, or calling members of the House Finance Committee, to argue for the cost (and socio-emotional, health, etc.) benefits of continuing to fund early childhood programs such as these? Thanks!

And unfortunately the opposite is currently occurring... the House Finance Committee is currently proposing a budget that completely cuts state funding to three early childhood programs in Alaska - Best Beginnings, Parents as Teachers, and the State Pre-K program.   This is almost a $3 million cut in prevention and early intervention.  This is an investment that at the very worst will produce dividends to Alaskans in the form of children and families being more prepared for school and life. However, I think most people would agree that the investment in our youngest children (especially those who are most at risk) is not only the right thing to do - it has the potential to help build solid foundations that will return much more than our up front investment - for years and years. 

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