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Alaska State Legislature House and Senate Democrats |
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http://www.akdemocrats.org Jordan Marshall, Press Secretary (907) 269-0133 or 321-3682 (907) 269-0132 press@akdemocrats.org |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · May 2, 2004 |
Democratic Senators Would Protect Dividend in Constitution
Permanent Fund Dividend protection will win votes for POMV amendment
JUNEAU - Alaska's eight Democratic Senators today offered to help break the legislative impasse on Governor Murkowski's POMV plan - on the condition that 'split' percentages for dividends are rolled into the constitutional amendment. This is the only way to provide ironclad protection for the dividend, they said.
"The bottom line is constitutional protection for the Permanent Fund dividend, announced Senate Democratic Leader Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage). "The Governor and the Republican leadership have on numerous occasions said 'no' to protecting the dividend as part of POMV. Our position is clear: we, as a caucus, will not support POMV without constitutional protection for the dividend.
Democratic Senators said they could break the POMV impasse in the Senate if the Governor supported writing the 'split' into the constitutional amendment.
"Writing the split percentage into the constitutional amendment shows proper respect to Alaskan voters, said Senate Democratic Whip Kim Elton (D-Juneau). "The plan endorsed by the House of Representatives this week offered no assurance that Republicans won't take more of the dividend for government in 2005.
Democratic Senators said the compromise offer satisfied a commitment to protecting the dividend. "I would help put POMV on the ballot if we win constitutional protection for dividends, said Senator Donny Olson (D-Nome).
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