The Governor urges lawmakers to work on a second PFD

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - While residents are out spending their Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) checks, the Governor is calling for lawmakers to work on a second PFD in the latest special session.

This isn’t the first time the Governor has asked for an additional payment. The PFD was on the agenda of the last legislative session, but failed to get any action.

Now, Governor Mike Dunleavy said revenues have grown in the state.

“As we know, the fiscals have improved for Alaska - [an] $83 billion Permanent Fund, our pension obligations are closed – we actually saw a great return this year, and oil is about $84 to $85 a barrel,” Dunleavy added.

He said the state may be looking at a $700,000,000 surplus this year.

“This is an opportunity, I think, for the legislature to help the people of Alaska who are now enduring inflation with regard to high oil prices, high gasoline prices. This is an opportunity in this last special session - we aren’t going to have another one, either now or it’s not going to happen - to vote on the other half of the PFD and to work on our full fiscal plan,” Dunleavy said.

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