When Gov. Mike Dunleavy moved to Alaska, he was struck by the work ethic he saw in nearly every Alaskan. Everyone wanted to work, and everyone was working. Now, as Governor of Alaska, he is working hard to ensure there are enough good jobs to go around.
In a new video released by the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), Gov. Dunleavy shares how losses in the oil industry were pushing Alaskans out of the state to find work. To keep more Alaskans from leaving or becoming dependent on government welfare, Gov. Dunleavy directed his administration to identify and break down barriers to work.
“We’re looking at all kinds of regulations,” Gov. Dunleavy says. “We have about 115 regulations that we are looking at now to remove—so remove those barriers so it’s easier for folks to do business in Alaska as well as professionals.”
One area Gov. Dunleavy is focusing on is occupational licensing reform to make it easier for health care professionals and others to find work in Alaska. Additionally, in 2019, Alaska took steps to reinstate proven work requirements for able-bodied adults on food stamps. This commonsense reform will help more able-bodied Alaskans move from welfare back to work.
“More and more Alaskans are going back to work, Gov. Dunleavy says. “We now have the lowest unemployment rates in history.”
Work provides families with the opportunity to flourish. And Gov. Dunleavy is committed to giving all Alaskan families the chance to build an independent life in the beautiful state of Alaska.
