Dear Editor: Thank you for the recent article about the proposed citizens initiative, “Economic Impact Study Required for Initiatives.” It prompted me to dig deeper – and what I found is troubling.
No other city in Alaska, nor the state itself, requires a comprehensive economic impact study for citizen initiatives. Why? Because these studies are expensive, burdensome, and disproportionately favor those with wealth. I found hourly rates of $220, minimum estimates of $5,500 for small communities, and a Sitka business that paid $15,000-$20,000 for studies. Larger projects can cost $100,000 or more. If the city or Assembly had to commission studies for every initiative, progress would grind to a halt.
Years ago, I worked on a citizens initiative. It was already a difficult, time-consuming, and stressful process. This new requirement would make it even harder – creating a roadblock that discourages civic participation.
While I personally voted No on the recent tourism initiative because I felt it was too restrictive and had economic concerns, not every decision we make is about dollars and cents. Some are about health, safety, opportunity, and investing in what matters to Sitkans. Over the years, we’ve seen initiatives on smoke-free workplaces, the boat haulout, funding an auditorium, banning plastic bags, and more. This new proposal would have roadblocked all of them.
The initiative effectively shuts down all citizen-led initiatives by requiring an expensive, comprehensive economic study. For those without financial means, it silences their voice. It would make Sitka the only community in Alaska to impose such a requirement – more restrictive than even state-wide initiatives.
Is this the kind of precedent we want to set?
Don’t let your voice be silenced.
Andrea Thomas, Sitka
