League of Women Voters to host finance forum

Kenai Peninsula residents can get a crash course in the state’s fiscal situation during an upcoming forum that’s part of the Central Peninsula League of Women Voters’ efforts to engage people in politics.

The league and the Kenai Peninsula College Student Government will host two presenters during the forum, titled $3 Billion Short: Alaska Budget Challenge, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the college’s McLane Commons.

Gunnar Knapp, a professor of economics at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and Cliff Groh, chair of the public policy organization Alaska Common Ground, will take those who attend the forum through the current state of Alaska’s finances as well as explain the possible solutions to balance the projected budget deficit.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Gail Knobf, president of the league’s peninsula chapter, said the Alaska’s budget issue is not going away any time soon, so it is important for residents to become educated on it before they vote in elections.

“There’s many changes that Gov. Walker has been espousing that are of concern to all of us, and the fact that Alaska is not doing well with the oil prices having gone down, and that has definitely hurt our economy here in Alaska, and it’s going to continue to be an issue for us,” Knobf said.

The two speakers were invited to the peninsula in part because of league member Lois Pillifant’s connection to one of them.

“I happened to know Cliff Groh,” Pillifant said. “He lived in my neighborhood, he grew up right where I lived in Anchorage.”

Pillifant said even if she hadn’t already known one of the men, she would have reached out to both of them for the forum.

Getting knowledgeable speakers to explain political issues outside of major cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks can sometimes be a challenge, Pillifant said.

“It was very fortunate that they agreed to come down and make this presentation because too often Kenai or the peninsula is forgotten,” she said.

Pillifant said that while the league’s main focus right now is getting more people registered to vote, she hopes for a good turn out to the forum.

She and Knobf said it is important for residents to not only understand the financial situation, but also the options to go about fixing it so they can decide whether they support those options.

“I hope it gets them to think about what they think the state should be doing as far as balancing our budget,” Pillifant said.

Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsula.com.

More in News

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski woman sentenced to 4 years in prison for 2023 drug death

Lawana Barker was sentenced for her role in the 2023 death of Michael Rodgers.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Seward resident arrested after Monday night police pursuit

Troopers say she led them on a high-speed chase on Kalifornsky Beach Road for around 7 miles.

Concert-goers listen to The Discopians at Concert on the Lawn on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Karen Hornaday Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
‘Dancing at the end of the world’

KBBI AM 890 hosted their annual Concert on the Lawn Saturday.

Lisa Gabriel unfurls a set beach seine during a test fishery for the gear near Clam Gulch, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seine test fishery continues after board of fish calls for more data

The east side setnet fishery has been entirely closed in recent years to protect Kenai River king salmon

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA opens bids for real property

The deadline to submit bids is 5 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna OKs $395,000 capital plan

This year’s list of capital projects is “nominal compared to some past years,” according to officials.

A map of areas proposed for annexation by the City of Soldotna. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna adds annexation proposal to ballot

The proposed annexation is split across five small areas around the city.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in