GOP lawmakers in the Alaska House Finance Committee unanimously opposed a committee substitute for the state operating budget that effectively zeroes out the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend in the operating budget.
The PFD elimination was part of a new committee substitute for House Bill 263 (State Operating Budget) that was adopted Feb. 11 in a 6-5 partisan vote.
“The full House Finance Committee should have had the opportunity to carefully deliberate the impacts and intent of these structural changes to the budget,” Rep. Jeremy Bynum, R-Ketchikan said. “Making the decision in a vacuum to advance this proposed substitute is not best practice.”
Rep. Will Stapp (R-Fairbanks) pointed out that the committee substitute deposits the entirety of the draw from the earnings reserve account to the general fund, leaving nothing for PFD payments to Alaska residents.
While House Finance Chairman Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage) repeatedly emphasized that this is only a “starting point” and that PFD money could be added in at a later time, Stapp maintained his objection to the move.
“We went from a budget deficit to a budget surplus because they deleted the permanent fund dividend from the budget,” he said following the Feb. 11 vote. “Just so the public understands, how we are getting to a surplus is there is no appropriation for a PFD currently. This is not the norm. This is an intentional choice to put all of the funds that we typically appropriate for the permanent fund dividend into the general fund for future appropriation.”
Rep. Elexie Moore (R-Wasilla) echoed her GOP colleagues concerns.
“There are serious policy implications here,” she said. “This is not normal, and we should not be moving forward in this way. Alaskans deserve a budget process that is clear, transparent and certain.”
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Rep. Frank Tomaszewski (R-Fairbanks) said the Democrat Majority’s move to exclude the PFD from the budget will only hurt families. He vowed to fight to restore the PFD to the budget as the legislative session progresses.
“While this change impacts the financial security many people rely on, I remain confident in our ability to find a path forward,” he said. “I will continue to advocate for a comprehensive fiscal plan that provides lasting stability for Alaska, ensuring that the PFD remains a reliable pillar for households. I am committed to working toward a sustainable solution that honors our commitments and strengthens our state for generations to come.”
Rep. Jamie Allard (R-Eagle River) was more pointed, suggesting that failure to appropriate funds to the dividend is a failure to follow Alaska statute.
“We swore to follow the law as legislators,” she said. “This is breaking the trust of all Alaskans.”
27 Comments
And there it is – out of the darkness and into the light: it only took 10 years from that moment Governor Walker started the shrinking of Alaskans’ cut of the earnings (the PFD) to ZERO. 0% for us and 100% for State of Alaska. Now will the public stand up and say NO to this reduction of the PFD to zero or just wring their hands and vote these same economically challenged idiots back to office, again and again? Because we all know that the government can spend your dollars better than you or I can.
Quoting Cathy Giessel circa March 28, 2024 where she believes the PFD would be better spent by the STATE instead of Alaskans spending their PFD on Alaska Airlines tickets and merchandise from AMAZON. “The dividend money can be used to build Alaska’s economy and infrastructure, benefitting us and generations to come. Instead we are sending 20% of it to the IRS, and the rest out of state (via Alaska Airlines and Amazon).” State Senator District E, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Cathy Giessel Newsletter, UPDATES
SO WHAT? It’s the people’s money spend any way the want, you don’t have a say in how they should spend it and to not take every last penny of their PFD away by not including it in the operating budget.
What an idiotic thing for Giessel to say! My PFD goes IMMEDIATELY towards paying my property taxes (and it doesn’t even cover the $4,850 due this year)! They want to keep the $$ IN Alaska then FINE, they can keep the PFD if they get rid of our property taxes.
Why anybody would vote Democrat is beyond me everything they do is evil. These thieves in Juneau need to be thrown out on their rear ends, and shame on the governor for not following through with his promises.
Out of curiosity, does anyone have a link to the democrats actual excuses for trying this? They’re lacking in this article and it’s ruining my goal. I’m trying to see how much of it I can read before I roll my eyes so hard they get permanently stuck.
Will not somebody stand up and tell these thieves that it isn’t their damned money? How hard is that to do? Somebody read the laws and get us back on track, please? Anyone? Bueller?
How about you stand up and send a letter to your Senate and House representatives? They get 0 feedback from the public on this issue and as long as there is no public outcry they can do whatever they choose.
Why do you think I haven’t?
I have sent more than one message regarding this issue, and so far, no actual responses that address my communications.
https://cases.justia.com/alaska/supreme-court/2017-s-16558.pdf?ts=1503680417
“………..The narrow question before us is whether the 1976 amendment to the Alaska Constitution exempted the legislature’s use of Permanent Fund income from the Constitution’s anti-dedication clause. The answer cannot be found by weighing the merits of the dividend program or by examining the statutory dividend formula. The answer is found only in the language of the Alaska Constitution. And, as we explain below, the answer is no — the 1976 amendment did not exempt the legislature’s use of Permanent Fund income from the Constitution’s anti-dedication clause. Although the superior court did not reach this question, the court’s ultimate conclusion nonetheless is correct: The legislature’s use of Permanent Fund income is subject to normal appropriation and veto budgetary processes………….”
ARTICLE IX Section § 16. Appropriation Limit :
“Except for appropriations for Alaska permanent fund dividends, appropriations of revenue bond proceeds, appropriations required to pay the principal and interest on general obligation bonds, and appropriations of money received from a non-State source in trust for a specific purpose, including revenues of a public enterprise or public corporation of the State that issues revenue bonds, appropriations from the treasury made for a fiscal year shall not exceed $2,500,000,000 by more than the cumulative change, derived from federal indices as prescribed by law, in population and inflation since July 1, 1981. ” Please explain the first line Reggie Taylor! : “Except for appropriations for Alaska permanent fund dividends! The original intent means what it says. Rose colored glasses has clouded your vision sadly. Do you really believe the Government can spend the peoples money then you, me & all the rest of Alaskans can? If so please move to Siberia & hope they fill your heating fuel tank when its 50 below zero & you ran out!!
This is just wonderful. The Republicans whom joined the Democrats aught feel right proud of themselves now. We know who you are and we’ll meet again at the ballot box.
It’s real irritating of having to over watch 2-year-old employees. Time to start calling/mailing/emailing/visiting employees to make it crystal clear our money is not their money. When they get uppity- play the “where does your paycheck come from?” game.
Why does a dominantly conservative state have a Democratic majority… you deserve what you voted for.
Because only 18% of Republicans tend to vote baffling, Then again maybe it has something to do with these damned Dominion voting machines.
next step the corpus will be drained to satisfy special interests groups. they will not be satisfied until all is spent.
gold plated retirements, schools, highways and government.
all things us common folk cant afford
and don’t forget its special interest that win the elections not us.
You are so right. It is only a matter of time. We have no oversight now. That was proved by the lack of consequences for investing the earnings reserve in risky investments.
Thieves! Is this even legal?
No, it is not. It was allowed by a Judge who should have been challenged but there is no political will to do so. There is also no outcry from the public. So, you get what you do not fight. Send a letter to your Senate and House representatives. Show them your anger. Get everyone you know to do the same.
Pamela, the assumption that people aren’t speaking out is baseless unless you want to share some juicy inside gossip that only you know. The reality is politicians of all levels up to the Feds answer to themselves nowadays and ignore everyone else and face zero consequences. Their own paychecks trump importance and has for a long time. Not to mention that threats at the ballot box means zero because so many citizens are uninformed morons that have better things to do than keep up with politics, like sharing AI slop on their Facebooks.
But the teacher’s unions are happy with this plan!! And the leftist politicians who benefit from teacher union campaign donations are very happy. So what’s the problem? It’s “ for the children” after all.
We voted the lawmakers in who responded by breaking their own laws! Everyone ought to commit a crime today! It’s the new normal!
Oh, Manic Magic ““We went from a budget deficit to a budget surplus because they deleted the permanent fund dividend from the budget,” So what can be done? At the Lincoln Dinner last night ,with a full house of Juneau Politian’s at hand & Governor hopefuls do you think what just happened was the topic of conversation NOPE . $100 plates of food for votes was in full swing thank you , the JUNEAU Republican Woman’s Club ! Oh and thank you for the softball questions you pitched to the crowd of want-to-bees!
We in the peanut galleys far away from the action, missed the real life handshakes of discontent that the true conservatives that went along with only because tea parties like that, don’t want to be a labeled party poopers!
Lincoln surly, if could be seen roiling over in his grave, would cause a small earthquake that everyone could feel!
Never the less the show must go on….& no one monkey stops the show, as my Dad would say! It’s time for a Class Action by the Citizens! Liberty Ed
I lived in a village. The checks were not sent outside (Alaska Airlines & Amazon)
They were spent on Bering Air in the bars on Front Street (Nome) Money stayed in state.
BTW Giessel Alaskans get diapers, food & clothing delivered to villages now by Amazon, get w/ the times or stop lying.
Please show us your correspondence to them Ms. Ex Wife of Husband Rep. Gilliam ! All of them over the years & those of your Rep. Husband that only got a bridge named for Don Young in Cooper’s Landing ! Sorry , but actions speak louder than words! Oh pass your messages on to the Juneau Women’s Club for their next TEA PARTY ! By the way I do have a record of comments to my legislators ! I am with you Tamra Nygaard & Lobo , Liberty Ed Martin Jr
The R’s are outraged after voting to cut our PFDs when they had a majority in both houses. It’s just an act, after all it is an election year and if we all get out and work harder I’m sure they will give back half of the PFD. How about we fire all sixty of these dipsticks. Sixty names drawn out a hat could do a better job than these greedy morons.
It’s time to join the lawless revolution
The Alaskan citizens voted on two different elections to move the capital to the Mainland so we could access our legislators. The capital is still in isolation except for the Lobbyists who rudely get in the faces of legislators and assistants to demand “their half.” This is unacceptable. The legislators are not accountable to the voters. Set aside the money to move the capital to Willow!!! The same problem continues to reoccur. Pray that our corrupt government here in Alaska gets shaken up.