Alaska's regular legislative session ends without final budget or PFD amount

Alaska lawmakers’ regular session ended Wednesday. But they have a lot of work left to do on the state budget, and they still need to finalize the size of this year’s Permanent Fund dividend.

Under a version of the state budget approved by the Senate Wednesday, Alaskans would get PFD checks of about $2,300. Not everyone agrees on that amount. Critics say it’s way too much money to draw from the fund’s earnings reserve.

A 30-day special session to address those issues is scheduled to start 10 a.m. Thursday.

‘People’s lives we’re talking about’

Palmer Republican Sen. Shelley Hughes voted for an amendment Wednesday for $2,300 PFDs.

The dividend benefits every Alaskan, she said, and she wants it added to the state constitution, ensuring it’s paid before other state expenses.

Read more: https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/05/20/alaskas-regular-legislative-session-ends-without-finalizing-a-budget-or-pfd-amount/