In 140 B.C., Roman politicians passed the grain dole. This was a way to keep the masses topically satisfied whilst the empire financially crumbled. Bread and Circuses. Incidentally, this is when the Republic began to die.

Those braying for “Full PFD Now” are offering you bread and circuses. There is some uncomfortable math that isn’t part of the slogan and that is “income tax.”

That is what happens right after you get your full PFD now.

FY27 POMV draw is $4 billion. That’s government services AND dividend payout. If we pay out the statutory amount, that’s $2.5 billion. The state budget is $6.3 billion. That’s a $4.8 billion deficit. So, what are you willing to do without? Schools, fire and police, or infrastructure?

Trim the state government? Sure, I support a Sunset Commission and institute an Inspector General’s office to find the fat and cut it. Best case, you can trim 10% from what the governor controls and that wouldn’t move the needle much. Even 25% wouldn’t.

The rest is on you – $12,000 per voter in income tax the year a statutory PFD is paid out.

It’s a pity the “Full PFD Now” crowd doesn’t clamor as vociferously for resource development, which would actually grow the PFD.

A few weeks ago, a “senior contributor” from another publication criticized a reasonable approach to the PFD issue with a pearl-clutching “Wow” and encouraged those supporting “full PFD now” to write an op-ed explaining why a full PFD is possible and send it to every venue possible.

Still waiting on that.

The permanent fund needs new revenue streams. Alaska is bursting with natural resources. We just need leadership to develop them. There is a path, but it isn’t a word-deep slogan. It’s hard work, building partnerships, setting goals and measuring progress.

In a word, a “plan.”

Find a candidate who has one.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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