NEWS: Democrats Push Permanent Fund Dividend Protection In Light Of Oil Giveaway

JUNEAU - Today eight Democratic legislators filed legislation to protect the Permanent Fund Dividend by placing the current dividend formula in the Alaska Constitution. With GOP leaders pushing an oil giveaway that is likely to cost Alaskans upwards of $1 billion or more a year, future legislators are likely to start cutting the Dividend to fund state revenue. To protect against attempts to spend the Dividend in tight economic times, former Governor Jay Hammond proposed an initiative in 2002 that would have enshrined the Dividend in the Constitution, but Lt. Governor Loren Leman rejected it as not able to be done by initiative.
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Rep. Tuck’s Community Connection: Historic Action – Legislature Called Into Special Session

As you may have already heard, the Legislature has been adjourned by the Governor and called into special session beginning today. I am very disappointed that the Legislature was not able to follow the mandate from the voters to finish our business in 90 days. It is the Legislature’s duty to cooperate to advance Alaska’s interests, and I want to see results through cooperation. I am prepared, however, to stay in Juneau as long as it takes to get the job done and make sure the people’s business is finished.
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