Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2019-01-16 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2019-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0035 SB 23 SENATE BILL NO. 23 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act making special appropriations from the earnings reserve account for the payment of permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. Governor's transmittal letter dated January 15: Dear President Giessel: Under the authority of Article III, sec 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a special appropriations bill that authorizes the payment of unpaid dividends, which came as a result of executive and legislative action, in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The transfer occurs over the next three fiscal years. The bill also authorizes the transfer for the payment of the Permanent Fund Dividend Program for the fiscal years ending 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The Permanent Fund Dividend program was established in 1980, to allow all Alaskans to benefit directly from Alaska’s mineral and investment wealth. For years, the Alaska State Legislature, through a carefully balanced statutory formula has assured a dividend payment that keeps the Permanent Fund on healthy financial footing, while at the same time, benefitting the mineral owners – Alaskans. The past three years, Alaskans have not received the full ownership value of their mineral wealth share. Instead, either through executive or legislative action, the dividend payments have been less than the statutory formula directs. I intend to follow the law and take restorative action to the unpaid portions of the permanent fund dividends from 2016, 2017, and 2018 to eligible individuals. Also, in order to restore the trust of Alaskans, I am seeking the authorization for the next four fiscal years for the transfer of funds and the payment of dividends per the statutory formula that has been used 2019-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0036 since the first dividend check was issued in 1982. This is a clear signal to Alaskans that we will not pick and choose which laws to follow. We will honor the law and will fund the dividend program as the law is written. As the State of Alaska is coming to terms with balancing revenue with expenditures in our annual budgets, I want Alaskans to know that we are not going to deny them their ownership share of Alaska’s mineral wealth. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Michael J. Dunleavy Governor