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Task force backs ISER access to labor wage records to measure economic impacts
Summary
University of Alaska researchers and state labor officials described a proposed statutory amendment to allow broader data sharing of quarterly wage and employment records so the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) can analyze fisheries workforce and community impacts more quickly.
University of Alaska and Department of Labor officials presented a proposed amendment to AS 23.21.10 that would smooth information sharing of unemployment-insurance-based wage and employment records with university researchers.
Chad Hutchison (University of Alaska) described the draft amendment as a way to reduce the friction that now requires in-person access or lengthy requests to Labor's wage-and-employment files. Dan Robinson, research chief at the Alaska Department of Labor, said the records (quarterly wage and employment) are a uniquely valuable source for small-community analysis but are currently restricted by statute to a narrow set of uses.
"The data we're talking about are employment and wage records that employers have to file with the state under unemployment-insurance law," Robinson said. "The existing statute does prohibit that except in very narrow circumstances. So the more we share data productively the better."
Diane Hirschberg (ICER/UAA) and Brett (ISER) said streamlined access would let analysts answer urgent policy questions about workforce retention, migration, and the local economic effects of fisheries closures or processor changes. The group proposed statutory language changes to reduce administrative friction while keeping confidentiality safeguards.
Why it matters: Better, faster access to authoritative employment and wage data will let the legislature and task force test how policy choices (tax credits, marketing, infrastructure investments) affect jobs and community well-being.
Next steps: University and Labor officials will refine draft language for an amendment and work with task force staff to bring the proposal forward during the legislative session.
