“You’ve been betrayed by the Democrats in Juneau,” a statement on Alaska’s Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, R, social media page reads. “If they get their way, you’ll receive a $0 PFD payment.”
JUNEAU, Alaska - Legislative leaders are calling claims that Alaska ’s PFD will be $0 this year “absolute nonsense”— saying the dividend was only removed as a procedural step used five of the last eight years to allow for a final PFD budget to be discussed and drafted.
“I would not take any credence in that this dividend is zero,” Senate Finance Committee co-chair Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, said Tuesday. “It’s just a process.” The controversy stems from a House Finance Committee vote last week that removed PFD funding from the draft budget. All five Republicans on the committee dissented, while the six-member majority—comprised of Democrats and independents—approved the move.on social mediaIn the video message, she added: “I hate to have predicted this, but this is the very first step in getting rid of the permanent fund dividend.” While several other Republican gubernatorial candidates have made similar claims, legislative leaders emphasized the procedural step has previously been used under both Republican and Democratic leadership. “The PFD didn’t really get zeroed,” Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage and House Finance Committee co-chair, said Tuesday. “It got removed for later discussion. In five of the last eight fiscal years, this exact same thing happened.“There will be a PFD, and it will be a meaningful PFD this year,” House Speaker Bryce Edgmon told Alaska’s News Source Tuesday afternoon.its inflation-adjusted lowest at $1,000. Stedman called the issues raised by Dahlstrom “absolute nonsense,” adding that “you’ll see the dividend amount with more clarity at the very end of session.”“I’m not going to stop liking my lieutenant governor,” he said. “But I think she is trying to make an issue out of something that’s not an issue. There will be a dividend.” “I’ve seen a number of gubernatorial candidates raise this as an issue,” Edgmon added. “ great fodder, at least from their perspective, in terms of raising their profile.”While Senate and House Finance leadership from both parties say a PFD is coming, some House Republicans continue to express concern.last week the legislature is “doing Alaskans an injustice.” House Minority Leader DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, who previously chaired the Finance Committee, called it worrisome, Alaska Public Media reported last week. “If we don’t have some kind of PFD, then we’re just going to spend it, and we’re going to continue to spend, and then we are going to continue to spend into savings,”Alaska’s News Source reached out to all 17 gubernatorial candidates Tuesday afternoon for comment on the procedural step. As of publication, eight have responded. The governor’s office has not responded to a request for comment. Businesswoman Bernadette Wilson, a Republican, said in a statement: “House finance members are treating Alaskans like lab rats. They know that a zero permanent fund dividend will not stick. They are trying to condition Alaskans’ reactions and behavior so that when they do not follow the law, they hope they can lessen the impact.” “I am extremely disappointed by this action because it signals to Alaskans that paying out their PFD is optional and may be discontinued at any time,” she added. “I do not support the move even though it is said to be only a ‘procedural step,’” James Parkin, a Republican from Angoon and a former teacher, said in a statement. “I am opposed to it because it is a step in the wrong direction.” Parkin added the steps to be put on the right direction are part of his campaign plan, which “I plan to share with the legislature and with the people of the state.” Former Attorney General Treg Taylor, a Republican, did not answer whether he supported the move to zero the PFD, instead taking issue with the partisan divide. “The constant political fighting over the dividend has become a symbol of what’s broken in Juneau,” he said in a statement. “The real long-term solution is a stronger economy, disciplined government, and protecting the PFD for future generations.” Independent Meda DeWitt, the latest candidate to enter the race, said she understood why the move was made and that when planning the budget, “Alaskans deserve honesty.” “I understand why some see that move as concerning, the PFD matters deeply to families, but I also understand the need to honestly confront the math,” DeWitt said. “The reality is this: we cannot promise full dividends, fully fund essential services, avoid new revenue, and avoid deeper cuts. The numbers simply do not support that.” Josh Church, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson’s pick for lt. governor, told Alaska’s News Source over the phone the legislature was going about the budget correctly and “we are negotiating our way towards a $0 PFD.” “I am not sure this is the right way to address the statutory change that is needed - it just creates animosity,” former Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, the first Democrat to enter the race, said. “A change will require consensus. Perhaps a better way would have been to start with last year’s number and work from there. We must involve all four caucuses with this effort.”Palmer resident Bruce Walden said he did not support zeroing the PFD, and listed ways he believes the PFD should be amended, including to “rework the formula to include all resources.”See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to
Dunleavy Mike Dunleavy Nancy Dahlstrom Bert Stedman Andy Josephson Bryce Edgmon Alaska Permanent Fund Permanent Fund Dividend AKGOV AKLEF AKLEG Alaska Legislature Alaska Governor Republican Delena Johnson Sarah Vance Homer Palmer Bernadette Wilson James Parkin Treg Taylor Meda Dewitt Josh Church Dave Bronson Tom Begich Hank Kroll Bruce Walden
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