Rachael Petro

OPINION: Don't let partisan politics get in the way of Export-Import Bank's help for Alaska businesses.

OPINION: Alaskans will not support more taxes without further government spending reductions, and two, a more diverse group of Alaskans needs to engage in the discussion of our financial future.

OPINION: Medicaid expansion is a good idea for Alaska, but only if feds make good on their commitment and the state tightens its rules and cuts costs.

OPINION: Keeping fiscal realities in mind, each program must be carefully examined so as not to exacerbate the state’s fiscal situation today or in the future.

OPINION: Rachael Petro argues that there are tens of thousands of reasons to vote against the oil tax cut repeal -- all the Alaskans who stand to gain by a robust oil industry.

OPINION: With bipartisan support -- including from Sens. Begich and Murkowski -- the proposed Chemical Safety Improvement Act is both a historic and a necessary piece of legislation.

OPINION: Love it or loathe it, health-care reform is the law of the land and businesses have no choice but to deal with it. Here's why expanding Medicaid helps businesses stay in Alaska and grow the local economy.

Despite a pro-business governor, a treasure-trove of natural resources and a budget surplus, Alaska ranks near the bottom in two recent surveys of places to do business. We know how great it is to work, live and play here, so we find such rankings frustrating. However, objective observers are telling us that our economic house is not in order, and they are telling us what needs improvement.

Two recent surveys say Alaska could do much better at improving its business climate.