ONE IS FOR $1,600, THE OTHER FOR $1,500
House Bill 2003, which is a piece of new legislation to appropriate funds for the Permanent Fund dividend, passed the House on Friday on a vote of 22-12, and was sent to the Senate. The bill provides for funding to pay eligible Alaskans $1,600 dividends this year.
In the Senate, SB 2001 was considered by Senate Finance Committee on Saturday morning. It would provide dividends of $1,500 to eligible Alaskans.
The Senate bill also restores $75 million in vetoed funds to the University of Alaska System, which results in a net reduction to UA of $65 million, including the $5 million reduction recommended by Senate Finance in the committee substitute for HB 39, the operating budget that was passed by the Legislature.
The Senate Finance Committee recessed to the call of the chair, and the Senate will gavel in on the floor on Saturday at 2 pm.
After the floor session, Senate Finance will meet again today, and there will likely be amendments to bring the Permanent Fund dividend back up to the statutorily established level of $3,000.
Gov. Michael Dunleavy is on record in support of a $3,000 dividend.
(This story is a moving target. Check back for updates.)
