We should be so lucky

[Grizzly Adams]

Thank our politicians we're not.


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced that the Alaskan Permanent Fund Dividend will be sent out early this year, and Alaskans should expect it July 1 instead of October. The announcement came at a press conference on Wednesday.

“We are in extraordinary times. We need to make sure that the people of Alaska have cash in their hands to help in this economy,” Dunleavy said. “I can’t think of a better time to do that than now, but we are going to have to wait for a month and a half.”

On July 1, all Alaskans that qualify for the PFD will be receiving the check, and the state has initiated the process to disburse the check. The legislature passed a budget with a $1,000 PFD in March.

[RELATED: Alaska Legislature passes a budget with $1,000 PFD]

The state Permanent Fund Dividend Division has received 671,364 applications for the PFD as of Wednesday, according to a statement from the governor's office. The state has already determined that 85% of those applicants are eligible for the payment and they will be the first to receive it in July. People with applications that are still being processed currently may not receive payments until July 23, Aug. 20 or a later date as the division will pay dividends monthly until all eligible Alaskans have received it.


Grizz

[does it ALL outdoors]

Ralf bucks.

But they get one every year never fail.

But the cost of living up there a G note won't take you far. Still nice to hear of some money going back to the working man.

[Badgerbadger]

It's too bad that the HTF wasn't maintained, as Lougheed had engineered. We'd be sitting on $400bill that could cover a lot of stuff and provide provincial dividends off interest alone.

We could have been Norway/Alaska/Saudi.

[hal53]

[QUOTE=Badgerbadger;4173277]It's too bad that the HTF wasn't maintained, as Lougheed had engineered. We'd be sitting on $400bill that could cover a lot of stuff and provide provincial dividends off interest alone.

We could have been Norway/Alaska/Saudi.

[/QUOTE
What do we have that Alaska, Saudi and Norway don't?

[saskbooknut]

The problem with Sovereign Wealth funds is risk of political manipulation. Norway's fund has been manipulated by so called "ethical" investment strategy and more recently drawn upon by the Government to attempt to balance the books.
There is merit in saving for a rainy day, but huge reserves of capital bring market distorting forces.
Ralf bucks was just manipulation of the electorate with their own money.
All I am saying is; it isn't that simple.

[Twisted Canuck]

[QUOTE=hal53;4173280]

Originally Posted by Badgerbadger

It's too bad that the HTF wasn't maintained, as Lougheed had engineered. We'd be sitting on $400bill that could cover a lot of stuff and provide provincial dividends off interest alone.

We could have been Norway/Alaska/Saudi.

[/QUOTE
What do we have that Alaska, Saudi and Norway don't?

Equalization payments that primarily go to a huge arrogant leech, and rhymes with 'Quebec'.....

[ward]

[QUOTE=hal53;4173280]

Originally Posted by Badgerbadger

It's too bad that the HTF wasn't maintained, as Lougheed had engineered. We'd be sitting on $400bill that could cover a lot of stuff and provide provincial dividends off interest alone.

We could have been Norway/Alaska/Saudi.

[/QUOTE
What do we have that Alaska, Saudi and Norway don't?

Saudi ? Seriously ?

[WaterJam]

The Kingdom is a different case but economists do use Norway, Alaska, and Texas with Alberta when comparing oil economies (correcting for their differences). No question, we trail them by a long shot.

And forget rebates, how about just a rainy day fund to help government spending through the downturn? It's not like we haven't seen this before. I see these massive government cutbacks as their way of publicly admitting incompetence at managing a boom and bust economy.

Sadly, in my experience working in gov't, I can assure you saving money was the last thing on government's mind during the "forever" boom.


(Yes gov't employed..please don't judge me)

[Sundog57]

[QUOTE=hal53;4173280]

Originally Posted by Badgerbadger

It's too bad that the HTF wasn't maintained, as Lougheed had engineered. We'd be sitting on $400bill that could cover a lot of stuff and provide provincial dividends off interest alone.

We could have been Norway/Alaska/Saudi.

[/QUOTE
What do we have that Alaska, Saudi and Norway don't?

Trudeau

[Bigwoodsman]

Originally Posted by Badgerbadger

It's too bad that the HTF wasn't maintained, as Lougheed had engineered. We'd be sitting on $400bill that could cover a lot of stuff and provide provincial dividends off interest alone.

We could have been Norway/Alaska/Saudi.

Trusting a politician with 4 billion dollars, is like trusting a fat kid with your ice cream cone.
The only way this might work is with a sovereign Alberta. The Federalists that walk amongst us, took the HTF from us.

BW

[saskbooknut]

Utter nonsense. Alberta spent it, all by themselves.
The electorate wants services, it just doesn't want increased taxes.
So, your glorious leaders spend the reserve fund until it is all gone.

[saskbooknut]

Heritage Trust fund is only worth about 30% more than in 1985, not even interest on investment.
So not entirely gone, at roughly $18B valuation, but an object lesson in unwise political manipulation of a Sovereign Wealth fund.

[lone wolf]

[QUOTE=hal53;4173280]

Originally Posted by Badgerbadger

It's too bad that the HTF wasn't maintained, as Lougheed had engineered. We'd be sitting on $400bill that could cover a lot of stuff and provide provincial dividends off interest alone.

We could have been Norway/Alaska/Saudi.

[/QUOTE
What do we have that Alaska, Saudi and Norway don't?

Lack of leadership

Lack of foresight

Equalization payments