PFD

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, said at this Wednesday, May 12, 2021 news conference there may be a special session of the Alaska Legislautre. On Thursday he officially called two, one for late May and one for early August. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy calls special sessions for budget, relief funds

Backlog of work.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, said at this Wednesday, May 12, 2021 news conference there may be a special session of the Alaska Legislautre. On Thursday he officially called two, one for late May and one for early August. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy made changes to a proposed constitutional amendment in a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, he hopes will set the state on a better fiscal path. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy makes changes to Permanent Fund proposal

Gov says proposal is first step to better fiscal future

Gov. Mike Dunleavy made changes to a proposed constitutional amendment in a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, he hopes will set the state on a better fiscal path. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
In this May 9 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about tourism at the Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

WATCH: Governor talks future of the Permanent Fund

It’s scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m.

In this May 9 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about tourism at the Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
House Minority Leader Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, seen here speaking with Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speak in the hall of the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 16, 2021, said the minority caucus is working on proposals for the annual Permanent Fund Dividend. The Legislature is approaching the end of the session, but has yet to allocate an amount for a PFD. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

As budget work continues, PFD question remains

A dividend divide.

House Minority Leader Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, seen here speaking with Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speak in the hall of the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 16, 2021, said the minority caucus is working on proposals for the annual Permanent Fund Dividend. The Legislature is approaching the end of the session, but has yet to allocate an amount for a PFD. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A man holds a U.S. and a rainbow flag outside the Supreme Court in Washington in 2015 after the court legalized gay marriage nationwide. Court documents show the state of Alaska for years maintains a discriminatory policy that denied some same-sex spouses benefits by wrongly claiming gay marriage was not recognized in Alaska, long after courts ordered they be recognized. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)

Alaska denied benefits to gay couples despite court rulings

Division staff listed about 40 people who were denied.

A man holds a U.S. and a rainbow flag outside the Supreme Court in Washington in 2015 after the court legalized gay marriage nationwide. Court documents show the state of Alaska for years maintains a discriminatory policy that denied some same-sex spouses benefits by wrongly claiming gay marriage was not recognized in Alaska, long after courts ordered they be recognized. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)
The Senate Finance Committee, seen here with chair Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, leading a meeting on Jan. 27, discussed Monday Gov. Mike Dunleavy's propsoal for a $1.4 billion supplemental budget. Most of that money would go to paying out a supplemental Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Supplemental budget proposal asks for $1.4 billion

Most would be spent on PFD.

The Senate Finance Committee, seen here with chair Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, leading a meeting on Jan. 27, discussed Monday Gov. Mike Dunleavy's propsoal for a $1.4 billion supplemental budget. Most of that money would go to paying out a supplemental Permanent Fund Dividend. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the public during a virtual town hall on Sept. 15, 2020 in Alaska. ( Courtesy Photo / Austin McDaniel, Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy pitches dividend change amid legislative splits

No clear direction has emerged from lawmakers.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the public during a virtual town hall on Sept. 15, 2020 in Alaska. ( Courtesy Photo / Austin McDaniel, Office of the Governor)
Mike Tobin of environmental group 350Juneau demonstrated outside the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. APFC's Board of Trustees were having their quarterly meeting inside and group members submitted testimony urging divestment from fossil fuels and other assets potentially impacted by climate change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Protesters: Oil is not where the money is

An unexpected boost from New York.

Mike Tobin of environmental group 350Juneau demonstrated outside the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. APFC's Board of Trustees were having their quarterly meeting inside and group members submitted testimony urging divestment from fossil fuels and other assets potentially impacted by climate change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in Juneau on Thursday, October 1, 2020. The corporation’s CEO Angela Rodell spoke to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday saying the fund had remained strong during the pandemic in large part due to prudent management and past investments in the fund itself. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Permanent fund CEO stresses long-term focus

Maximize returns, minimize risk.

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in Juneau on Thursday, October 1, 2020. The corporation’s CEO Angela Rodell spoke to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday saying the fund had remained strong during the pandemic in large part due to prudent management and past investments in the fund itself. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy: PFD checks are going out early

July 1 is the targeted date.

Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska. The future of Alaska’s unique program of paying residents an annual check is in question, with oil prices low and an economy struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo | Al Grillo, File)

Low oil prices and coronavirus fallout mean PFD could be at risk

Without cuts or new revenue, there’s a real possibility the program could go away, an economist said.

This photo shows the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska. The future of Alaska’s unique program of paying residents an annual check is in question, with oil prices low and an economy struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo | Al Grillo, File)
Loretto Lee Jones, a former Assembly candidate, is on trial for PFD fraud. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Former Assembly candidate stands trial for PFD fraud

Jury selection began this morning.

Loretto Lee Jones, a former Assembly candidate, is on trial for PFD fraud. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)