The amount of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend has been set by the Alaska Legislature at $1,000. The governor is not allowed to add back the funds taken by legislators and used for state services, so even if he vetoes part of the budget, he cannot restore the dividend to its statutory amount, which was the $3,900 he put in his proposed budget last fall.
Since Gov. Bill Walker vetoed half of Alaskans’ dividends in 2016, the Legislature has set subsequent dividends by negotiations, not a fixed formula as directed by statute, making them subject to the political whims of election years.
During election years for the past five years, the dividend has tracked higher. In 2024, there was a moderate increase with the “energy relief” portion of the dividend, which occurred during the election year.
2022’s high PFD aligns with the election and high oil prices, suggesting political motivation to boost dividends. 2024’s moderate increase also occurred during an election year.
If the trend continues, Alaskans might expect that the Permanent Fund dividend in 2026 will trend higher, as it will be another election year.
The PFD payments are typically disbursed in early October for online applicants with direct deposit, just three weeks before the general election, which makes it especially tempting for legislators to be more generous to constituents, as in vote buying.
The PFD is an excellent source of income to cover the costs of public sector union pay, benefits, and pensions. And since most of Juneau’s population is public sector union employees, the votes are counted in Juneau. Well, it just makes good sense.
They are playing with the peoples pfd… I am so sick of the corruption and manipulation!!
Tar and Feathers anyone??
Armed revolution against our slave masters?
These people are crooked, corrupt, criminal thieves and grifters.
Public stockades seem more fitting for humiliation.
Alaskans need to have a say in this.
Alaskans deserve to know if State Government is larger than it needs to be.
Lawbreakers and thieves.
There should be a ballot initiate for the state to relinquish mineral and oil subsurface rights that benefit the residents from the PFD which is why it is statutory.
HEY All you idiots that vote Demorat THANKS Now knock it off!!
Of course!!!
The theft facilitated by the courts and the legislators of the Alaskan citizens.
You’re just now catching on? How are those false promises for a “full, statutory dividend” playing out for you?
People who keep voting for these clowns are the true useful idiots.
Billions to manage a state with less than a million people and the government fails, the entire subsurface wealth of state land and that’s not enough!?
Why would any sane polity expect a government to administer education or care for the elderly? That should not be the governments job that should be the family’s job. Welfare, and education are the largest expenditures.
What you get with democrats loss of your money given to someone else that has done nothing.
Stedman finish his driveway yet?
It is the public’s duty to know these peoples backgrounds and who is financially backing their campaigns. Then one can make a clear decision voting. Not just pull the lever for the candidate the media promotes.
I hope Dunleavy has enough spine to veto the whole thing. So far there’s no evidence he really cares about the “statutory” obligation to allow the whole legal dividend.
The Alaska State Legislature, including a bunch of Republicans, is owned by the Alaska NEA!