By Jonson Kuhn
Alaska's News Source, KTUU-TV/KYES-TV, June 25, 2025
With Alaska employees who currently earn an $11.91 minimum wage set to see an increase to $13 per hour on July 1, along with receiving required paid sick leave, business leaders statewide are divided on if the long-term impact will mean cost increases or increased consumer spending and better working conditions.
The increase is a result of voters approving Ballot Measure 1 in November with a 58% vote. ... Since Mark Robokoff, owner of Anchorage’s AK Bark pet supply store, became one of 130 Alaska business owners to align with the Alaska Business for Better Jobs coalition, and publicly support the measure, his view continues to be that Measure 1 will encourage customers to spend more at local businesses.
“Aside from the economic perspective on this, I think we’re gonna see a more subtle change in the dynamics of the Anchorage small business community,” Robokoff said. “Our employees are just gonna start being happier community wide, employees are going to start feeling better about their jobs. They’re going to provide better customer service. We can feel better about the fact that they’re not sick and working. These subtle changes are going to change the entire community and if we just wait a while to see the effects of Ballot Measure 1 go through, I think we’re all really gonna be better for it and happy about it.” ...
While Robokoff said he is familiar with the criticisms and concerns, in his view, it comes down to reevaluating business models.
“If your business plan doesn’t allow for paying your employees enough money that they can live on and feel good about themselves, I think you need to revise your business plan,” Robokoff said. “I think that’s part of the cost of doing business.”