The tricky politics of the early PFD
It’s likely that the early payout is the governor’s latest and perhaps best shot at securing a second round of dividends, but that comes with its own can of worms.
the dividend
Dunleavy announces PFDs will go out early after Legislature avoids supplemental payout
The payout now could put pressure on legislators for a second payout later.
Dragged to the finish line, Legislature approves budget, COVID-19 measures. AKLEG End-of-session recap
Here’s what happened on the Legislature’s “final” day.
Senate’s $1,000 COVID-19 dividend would leave out first-time PFD applicants
The dividend goes to recipients of the 2019 dividend.
GOP faction blocks full funding for COVID-19 aid, emergency unemployment bill headed to vote
Saving leverage for a fight that may never come.
Alaska is in deep trouble
The state’s budget picture is looking worse and worse every day.
Legislators were already skeptical about Dunleavy’s PFD payback plan and that was before coronavirus panic
The Dunleavy administration tried to make the case that breaking the spending limit on the permanent fund’s earnings to repay last year’s PFD isn’t the end of the world.
Coronavirus-induced market panic erased nearly $3 billion from the Alaska Permanent Fund last week
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation says it could have been far worse.
Senate passes motor fuel tax, most significant new revenue of session. AKLEG Day 42 recap
The motor fuel tax is one of the only significant pieces of new revenue on the table this year, the state’s response to the coronavirus, the dividend and Dunleavy weighs in on the recall.
Without leadership on revenue, Dunleavy’s budget invites Legislature to cut the PFD
History shows the Legislature will prefer the easiest (relatively speaking) route to solve the deficit.