Alaska Permanent Fund dividend checks could top $2,000
Published Sunday, July 27, 2008
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Stumble It!ANCHORAGE -- This year's Alaska Permanent Fund dividend check could be a big one.
The check could top $2,000 this year. If so, it would be the first time since the state began making payments in 1982 that the dividend topped $2,000.
It is the profits generated by stocks, bonds, real estate and other investments that determine the size of the dividend.
It is based on a five-year average of profits.
The Anchorage Daily News estimates that the check will be between $2,080 and $2,100.
Community Discussion
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It should be more like $25,000!
It's too bad that it's not pro rated by the months that you have lived in Alaska, a lot of us that have lived here over a year now and plan on staying here, don't get anything, and with the rising costs of fuel oil, gas, food, and the lack of child care it can get really hard for families of 3-5. Families like ours will be here almost 3 years before we'll be able to see any fund money. our family moved up here to relocate for a job, and it's not like both adults aren't working full time because we are, and yet paying out over half of our income in child care expenses!
Will this finally put an end to the question of how am I going to pay my heating bill? Add another possible $1200 and you could have an extra $3,300. I forgot, ones complaining will probably be those who are having their PFD check garnished for money owed.
Forgot one other`complainers, those who haven't had to sit out the wait period. like the rest of the people who weren't here for the first check.
I wish they paid the dividend in heating oil and GVEA credits, thats who's gonna get all of mine anyway. Then I wouldn't have to pay Uncle Sam $2,000 come spring!
Good point about the garnishment Woodman! With the PFD and the other stuff, like we have been saying, just about everyone’s energy bill is paid for them already.
Things are likely to get somewhat worse before they improve. Alternate energy is not going to happen in Fairbanks in the next 15-25 years … it is just a buzz phrase at the moment. We missed our opportunity with Susitna and opted to give the money away as a PFD instead. Now about 1/4th of it goes to the Feds and people rely on it as supplemental income instead of as a bonus.
great thats $4000 for the fuel oil tank!
Just about everyone's energy bill is paid for them already with this dividend?
Wish I had your bills!
I had to wait the yr to get my PFD. I would not have minded if it the waiting period was 5 yrs. I do not plan on leaving this state.
But like most here now, mine will be going to heating fuel also. Cheers and suck it up, you have to do your time too.
Complainer....Did you think about the expenses before you moved here or did you budget for the dividend? That dividend is never a guarantee and anybody that depends upon it is setting themselves up for disaster.
Its a wonderful gift but I do like the first comment - $25,000?
Man. I wish the state I lived in all my life would give me some money to pay our gas bills. It use to cost me about ten dollars a day to drive to work, now it's costing me around sixty. NO I DON'T DRIVE A BIG GAS HOG. Twelve hundred or two thousand, I would be happy to get anything.
Quit complaining about Alaska. All of us are feeling a big bite out of our wallets all over the US.
Sorry but I still love Alaska and plan on doing my best to get to live there one day.
I seem to think that somehow the Electric and Heating oil companies willhave to "increase" their rates again To "cover the cost of their services" so they can get more of our money. Never seems to fail.
Here i come Hawaii!
As for my comments earlier, it's not that I was complaining I was just saying it should be the same acrossed the board, and in my opinion if you're not a native, meaning been born here before the USA bought Alaska, than maybe they should be the only ones recieving the "gift" and no, I never once added in the PFD money in my budget before moving up here. That was never a factor to us. Just like anyone included the stimulus check you got from the IRS. I never bixxx or complain about the costs of fuel and things I just pay them and move on. Again, I was just making a simple comment. or just simply voicing my opion. Isn't that what this blog is for, opinions?
Why do you think they came up with the dividend idea? To get ppl from the other states to move up here to contribute to the state's economy. If none of us moved up here this state wouldn't be so rich and they wouldn't be able to afford to share the wealth! Right? What I was getting at is that anyone who has lived here for a full year and has contributed to the economy should be entitled to that money (or at least a portion of it) for that yr. and every full yr thereafter.
I wonder how many people will use this money to move out of Alaska?
I know a few that are! For those sourdoughs at the end of their rope this year is the time to do it.
mw123 there were many reasons for the dividend system, maybe you should read up on it before you declare what those reasons were.
The wait period for a dividend seems pretty reasonable to me, I don't understand what your problem is, did you expect it to be like the Simpsons movie, where you received your check at the border?
On another note, a 2000 dividend will probably pay my fuel bill costs for the year (I don't want to speculate on what the prices will do), We only used 450 gallons last winter and are replacing some old windows this summer, which should help, and no I don't have a woodstove supplementing, just live in a modest dwelling that isn't more than my family and I need. It seems there are many people with McMansions who are going to have a rough go of it. Guess they should have thought of that when they bought a giant house they couldn't really afford.
Gas and electric will cost a larger chunk of my household income than previously, but I have already budgeted for it. I agree that the prices are breathtakingly outrageous and we should, indidividualy and on a government level be working on a solution.
It just seems to me that people would rather whine and stick their hands out than dig in and find a solution, and one of those interim solutions is reevaluating your budget. It's not like this is the first time in history people have had to tighten up their belts.
Quote
"""Man. I wish the state I lived in all my life would give me some money to pay our gas bills. It use to cost me about ten dollars a day to drive to work, now it's costing me around sixty."""
Just so you understand correctly ,its not gas prices for our vehicles at the pump that were especially worried about, its the 150-200 gallons a month of $4.60 a gallon heating oil to heat our homes with that we're worried about, coupled with a $300+ electric bill (Thanks GVEA) and our darling daily average temps for 7 months of winter!
mw123 you need to read a book or take a course on Alaskan history. I'm afraid most people born here when Alaska was bought by the United States are long dead. It wasn't to get people to move up here. Do you realize that even though you may own land in Alaska you have no rights to the minerals or resources in the ground of that land you own. If you plan of being an Alaskan, it may be worth your while to study the history of this state, especially that of the Native people. Exactly how did you make this a rich state. Bring the oil with you. Your lack of knowledge about the State you live in needs to be corrected.
mw123... your idea of why the PFD exists is terribly misinformed. I hope you don't also misinform your friends and family outside with such craziness.
Only 19 comments about the PFD amount. Hey people of Fairbanks, did you hear the wind rushing through the trees this morning? That was the sound of everyone exhaling. You dodged another bullit with the help of the PFD. What are you gonna B***h about now? Good luck this winter, cause it ain't over till it's over. See you SDs in the lower 48. Yep, you know who you are..
Who cares about the fine print. Just gimme my money.
Good sense of humor Dr. C. Do you play the guitar?
It was called sarcasm...read up that! I am well aware of the history thank you. Good one "did i bring the oil with me" well i pay my fare share just like you all. And than to you, maybe all the new people moving into any state in the US should have a waiting time befor they could recieve anything the US has to offer... As well as you missed where I was going with this.... EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Or is it that you are afraid that your check will be a little bit smaller if I was to get a check too?? Con-grats too all of you that have lived here since 1982 or rather 1981. And thanks to the State of Alaska for giving back..unlike alot of the other states.
mw123---
I reread your posts, and I missed the sarcasm. It must be very subtle. Nevertheless, welcome to paradise.
Actually, I agree with you that the PFD should be pro-rated. That's the way it was originally conceived. Someone that lived in Alaska 5 years would have received more than a newcomer. A lifelong Alaskan would have received more that a 5 year resident. Seemed like a pretty good idea. Then a couple of lawyers, the Zoebels (a married couple no less), poked their noses in, and after 2 or 3 years of litigation, we got what we got. Because the original plan was discriminatory against newcomers from other states.
I think that you are exagerating about the 3 year waiting period. It's more than one year, but less than two.
Thank you, glacierles on the "Welcome to Paradise." we love it here. and the other info..on PFD
But dosen't the time run from Dec.31 of one yr to the next? So if someone that moved here in Jan. or Feb. there time wouldn't start till the falling Dec.? Then wouldn't it be 2 yrs and 10 months, or something like that?
and again I'm not complaining at all...and ya I know someones thinking this so I'll say it , if thats the case people should have moved a few months sooner... lol
We moved here in July 07 and it wiil be the fall of 09 before we see a dividend check. Is this right? I dont think so, I have an Alaska drivers license,hunting and fishing license,both of my vehicles licensed here, why shouldn't i receive a divedend?
There are people who have been born here and have generations of family born in Alaska long before planes were even invented. Don't worry though, because most people seem to have forgotten that the legislature a few years ago wanted the interest to run government. There will come a day when the PFD check will most likely no longer exist. The legislative body can at any time say no to giving checks to the people. It is only fear of not being reelected that has stopped them so far. Stop and think, exactly where is the money going to come from to support a government that spends about $15,000 per person if natural resources donot continue to bring in the wealth. Remember Will Rogers, the only thing for certain are death and taxes.
Right on! AKRains
KS- glad you moved.
AKRains & mw123 - You shouldn't receive a dividend until you have successfully fulfilled all of the requirements of the PFD; after you have become an Alaskan and fulfill these rule, then you too absolutely should receive a PFD. Every Alaskan has to follow the same guidelines, regardless of how much time we've put in. If it's something you don't like, feel free to contact your legislators and let them know why you think it's unfair. I suspect that with the multitudes that do not want to see active duty military receive a PFD even when the guidelines are met that your complaints will fall on deaf ears.
As a life-long Alaskan and a military spouse, I find the rules fine as they are. For any out there considering moving to Alaska, look online at the State of Alaska web page - the rules are laid out pretty succinctly, so if you don't want to wait for your check, move here before January 1.
AKrains because the law won't let you. Read about the lawsuit regarding residency and the PFD check.
JB-So am I, there's too many mamby pamby cry babies up there.
mw123---
I guess you might be right, after all. I must have never considered that a person would actually move here in January or February. I'm concentrating on survival then, or heading someplace warm for a week or two to get thawed out and see the sun.
Were you running from the authorities? (just kidding)
It was barely more then a month ago that the ADN said the pfd was going to be in the 1575 range. I wonder how they come up with their numbers, now that they have such a broad range.
For those of you thinking of using that PFD check to leave the state, please go reread the PFD application. When you sign and submit it, you are, among many things, telling the state you intend to remain in the state (or return to it if you are military). Lying on your PFD application is grounds to prevent you from recieving the PFD, but they can also go after you to return any and all previously recieved PFD's.
By the way did anyone read the ADN article about the APF check. Mentioned that Fairbanks and the rural communities might not see an increase in any sales due to the money going to cover the cost of energy in these communities.
Since the medium age in Alaska is about 33, how many of you people have lived in this State before the APF?
WoW! that could chang some plans for some sourdoughs
If they were here the the entire year that they are recieving the dividend for ( in this case 2007) theres nothing illegal about deciding to leave at the end of 2008. Lets get real, there are probably 50,000 dividends (maybe more) given out each year to people who do not even physically live in this state, but shmooz the grey area in the PFD eligibility requirements, military being the biggest offenders. And save it on what you interpret as anti-military sentiment on my part, I was military and so was my wife but crooked is crooked, though its really the PFD's elegibility requirements that are at fault. They leave enough room for thousands to work the system.
well im happy that we are getting a big one i know its goin to be worth wild when i call up and get my fuel tank full all the way. i do how ever think tht the military family's that are up here for tour shouldnt be able to get one for they arent planning on living here for ever they are here to do there time and ship out. its taken away from all of us alaskans tht love living here and chose to make this our home state. there should be a rule on this
AlaskaCub, x2, and I'm also a military retiree. Crooked is crooked. I've also sicced JNU on some civilians who skipped the state for credit card fraud that are still collecting.
Rest of the complainers and misinformed (notably), READ THE DANG FAQ AT LEAST.
http://www.pfd.state.ak.us/
:rollseyes:
I'm curious. Those of you who are bound and determined that military don't deserve a PFD, what do you say to those Alaskans, born and raised, who joined the military and keep their Alaska residency and fulfill all the PFD requirements? Ya'll act like no Alaskan can serve in the military and that they are all out to steal rather than honorably serving this country...
How do you prove that one doesn't INTEND to stay here - for military or civilian? C'mon folks. The guidelines are the guidelines and if they're met, they're met.
If you suspect fraud of anyone, do your civic duty and turn 'em in. I'll even simplify the process for you:
http://www.pfd.state.ak.us/fraud/index.a...
Well, Dana VanDam, you said it yourself...if you're an AK resident, then you're an AK resident whether you're serving in the military or not! But if you're military coming from the lower 48 then in most cases you're not choosing to live here...you are stationed here, temporarily, by the gov't.
mw123 stated-
"Why do you think they came up with the dividend idea? To get ppl from the other states to move up here to contribute to the state's economy. If none of us moved up here this state wouldn't be so rich and they wouldn't be able to afford to share the wealth!"
WOW!! Do you really think that way? How does offering someone $1000 to $2000 ONCE a year to move to a place that costs WAY more than the rest of the country work out to be fiscally sound enough for you to decide to come ALL the way up here and add SOO much to what is already the RICHEST state in the union? We had a 36+ BILLION dollar surplus this year, didn't we? And you even stated earlier that you DID NOT even budget it in. AND it would cost you more to drive up here now than what the PFD even gives you. Learn some economics, please.
GO BACK, PLEASE! WHINER! Guess what? I had to wait as well, get over it.
Mr. Green, apparently you didn't read where I said I wasn't complaining...just stating that it was too bad for US that WE (OUR family of 5 trying to survive on the high fuel/gas prices too, who have lived here for over a year now and are PERMANENT RESIDENTS, whether YOU like it or NOT) wouldn't see any of it. Missing the point. And we drove ALL the WAY here from the EAST coast and even if it costs double what it did when we moved (due to increase in fuel costs), It still would only cost less than half of the amt. of the PFD our family WOULD be receiving this year! Do the math.
AND GUESS WHAT....WE'RE NOT LEAVING!!!
AlaskaCub, not only do I think you are wrong, but so does the PFD Corp.
http://www.pfd.state.ak.us/fraud/index.a...
No, mw123, I don't believe that that is what I said. Perhaps you misread. Alaska has the highest veteran population per capita of any state. This suggests to me that many of our vets who serve in the military return here to live after serving their country. Beyond THAT, one can maintain Alaska residency while being stationed elsewhere, yes? If my husband is forced by his job to TEMPORARILY be stationed somewhere else, he and I and our children will still be residents of this State.
To ease the confusion: if one registers to vote, registers a vehicle, applies for a driver's license or any other actions that are highly suggestive of forfeiting residency, that's something else altogether. But without actions such as these, try to PROVE intent. Little difficult, isn't it? Other duty stations can be just as temporary as some seem to think Alaska must be.
Punishing an Alaska resident who happens to be serving his or her country who otherwise fulfills PFD requirements is almost discriminatory.
Before judging the military who opt to become Alaskan residents, I would recommend that you go to the Alaska Permanent Fund web site and read the requirements for these people. They are required to return every two years to Alaska and accumulate so many days every five years. Considering the deployments to the war and the fact many wives, husbands and families of the solfiers are choosing not to remain in Alaska , there may not be as many applying for residency in order to receive a check as most think.
mw123, just like everyone else you have to meet the requirements to recieve a PFD. Why do you feel you should get special treatment when it comes to the PFD?
I wonder what happened to the fund that was supposed to be created when Fairbanks sold it's utilities? Does anyone remember that? I don't remember if it was the city or the borough, but I do remember that they were supposed to create a fund that would pay dividends to residents, and I, for one, have not seen a dividend from that yet.
When a person has a 3 year tour and 6 year committment to the military, it's pretty clear that they don't intend to say. Don't talk to me about extensions, those aren't guaranteed. Possible exceptions are those who can prove that they will seperate from the military while stationed here.
Don't talk to me about being anti-military or unpatriotic. I served 25 years in the military, 21 of them here on active duty then as an active duty guardsman. I didn't file for a dividend until I knew I was getting off active duty and would be here long term.
The city of Fairbanks sits on a $100 million dollars from the sale, It requires a vote of the people to spend any of it. Not a simple majority, but at least 70 or 80% approval (can not remember). The city receives about 5 million a year in interest.
akgypsy -- I remember when the utiities were sold. A fund was created and they very unwisely called it a permanent fund. As soon as it was called a permanent fund every body in Fairbanks thought they would get a dividend. It was never intended to pay dividends to residents, it was simply invested with the returns going to the city coffers to cover the budget. At least that was the idea. Like you, I haven't heard anything about it since.
DANA VANDAM, I'm not understanding what you're getting at? I wasn't disputing your comments...I agreed w/ you, however, if you are an Ak resident and are stationed in another state/area (military) other than AK, then it falls under the category of how long you are physically out of the state of AK (in the 'rules' of PFD).
I'm amazed that my opinion (about our family not qualifying to receive any money yet was too bad for us, that's all) was so important that it brought on over 30 blogs from people who are getting so defensive as if they were writing the check out of their own personal accounts or something. I'm not complaining or WHINING as so many of you put it, just commenting (thinking out loud). I am also amazed at how many people up here are so bitter about new ppl moving to this state as if we are doing something wrong or like we are illegal aliens moving here w/ no rights. Last time I checked Alaska is still part of the USA and we all still have the same gov't and the same president and the same rights and laws, correct?
So, BenEFits, because YOU didn't know you wanted to stay here, EVERY military family suffers the same indecision? Somehow I doubt that you can make such a claim.
A 3-year tour with a six-year commitment may make things "clear" to you, but I question your clarity. This is not proof of intent. Intent is shown by making steps to create a primary residence, either here or elsewhere. It is also shown by fulfilling the PFD guidelines. Why, if there is an intent to return, should these families not receive a dividend? And I'll ask you the same question: how about the Alaska resident who subsequently joins the military (I know a few) - "3-year tour, 6-year commitment"?
It used to take ten years. It should have stayed that way. Then the transplants would move on.
Pat
mw123 - I think you may be seeing bitterness and attacks where there are none. Sorry if my post seemed as such.
My point is solely this: IF one fulfills the guidelines, military or otherwise, one qualifies for a PFD. An Alaskan is an Alaskan - we are in agreement. Since we do live in the USA, those that disagree can always call their reps and try to change the guidelines. I hope the reps see the complaints as what they are, though.
Regardless of what you are going to use your monies for, gas for your car, oil for heating your home, or electricity. I would still love to be getting something from my state. Oh and for the record, my electric bill was 700 dollars last month. And the electric company is talking about raising our rates another 30 percent. I have a moderate home, nothing to brag about. I'm now worried about my home going into foreclosure because of all the prices going up.
So again, we all have problems with our day to day living. And again I will say, I wish my state would cough up some money to get me through the year.
Do I need to say it? Sure I do....... I LOVE ALASKA
Pavel: I don't feel I should get special treatment on the PFD, why does everyone read into things and take simple comments out of context? I was merely saying that I wished it was prorated or something, guess I really opened a can of worms, huh?
What grade are we in? GROW UP!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
No one here made a "blog" about you. They made posts. This isn't a blog, this is a thread. We aren't posting on a blog, we are posting in a comment forum.
People need to spend more time on the internets and learn the lingo!
Dana I did and I can make the statement. 6 year commitment to the military with a three year tour in Alaska means 3 years somewhere else. Period. They know that when they get here. If they want to stay in Alaska then we can give them a pfd when they come back.
Relax. The system is set up to accomodate just about anybody who comes up here and stays for a year to get a pfd and then keep it no matter where they really reside.
As to your last question, I don't know. I was under the impression that there was a way for residents to keep there pfds in that situation. I remember some mention of an exemption for being out of the state on military duty. Need to research that.
BenEFits - I guess my point was that any duty station can be temporary, with Alaska as the return destination. And there are many who apply for and receive extensions (my husband has managed to stay here for 9 years now. shhhh - they might catch on).
Eh, I read "prorated" as special treatment. Oops.
It would be nice for the new folks who really are going to stay, but we have WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyy too many seasonal workers who don't live here, don't want to live here, will not live here for it to be practical.
Come Jan 1, 2009, you can join us on this side of the PFD is for Alaskans street. :)
pavel, sorry about the incorrect lingo, I'll try to catch up on it as I'm on the internetS... lol
This was just a first for me on this type of comment forum on the internetS but it was fun to do on a rainy day
thanks y'all for the entertainmentS... lol
And sorry to any one I may have afended on this comment forumS for I didn't realize that is only intended for those who qualify for the PFDs
Fraud has always been an element of the PFD and its not gonna change anytime soon. It would cost soooo much money and so many man hours to track down and investigate all the violators that it wouldn't be cost effective. The liberal way the guidelines were wrtten for eligibility left too many loop holes in the system (like coming up here to fish for 72 hours during the summer). I dont understand how you claim a state as your resident state if your not tied to property, or pay no utility bills in said state, military or not. The military brought folks here put many of them up in a house on base and then the military took folks from here and put them up in a home in another state, IMO unless they entered the service as Alaska residents or own a home here,or have immediate family that own a home here, "intent to return" or "intent to remain" are highly subjective terms. When I left Alaska (thanks to the military) I did not claim Alaska as my home of residency, even though I intended to return one day permanently and did, but my conscience got the best of me and I knew that claiming residency here was BS because I was living somewhere else and owned or rented a home there, and recieving a dividend was taking away from those that are living there. Though the system would have allowed us to work it if my conscience didn't tell me otherwise.
Hear that folks? ANOTHER large family that we will have to hear from NEXT year complaining about getting energy rebates cause they didn't realize what the cost of living here was. Great.
That S is there on purpose! you can use intarwebs if you want, or intertubes (thanks Sen. Stevens!). I prefer plain ol' internets.
I am wierd that way. :)
Pavel - THANK YOU. Every time I hear someone call this a blog I want to correct them! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that annoys.
MrGreen, as for our family and where we moved here from theres not much diff. cause of the very high taxes that were taken out of our paychecks and the taxes that we had to pay on everything we bought or used as far as utilities. so dollar for dollar the cost of living is not a lot diff. for us other than the price on housing, and like I Posted earlier the high cost of child care and the lack of it...and sorry to hear that you must not like large families. and how many of you that are coming down on us about "doing our time" like you all have done,. never said or wished(thought) that you could have got a PFD before "you did your time" Again I was just making a Post on to bad a year wasn't a year you claim Ak as your new home. not a year Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 or what ever it may be, but then again theres alot of people up here that act like Ak is a country of it's own, so Maybe those of you that feel that way maybe you should give back the stimulus money you got from the IRS. but then how many of you said it should have been more.. kind of the same thing. whether its apples or oranges there all fruits. lol
well all, it's time I leave this "blog" for it's time for me to spend some time with my big family. so I'm signing off the "internets" thanks to Bill Gates.. lol again thanks to you all, that wrote some aggressive blogs on here for my entertainmentS
so we'll do our time, and be glad when we'er aloud to come to the "Alaskan Streets" ;-) good night EH
all of you complainers.. i'll send you a self addressed stamped envelope and you can just stuff your check into it and plop it in the mailbox. thanks!
Well---- with my $2,000. We can put a little over 300 gal. of fuel in my tank. That should take us Nov.-mid Feb. .Then we put my husbands in -that carries us another 6-8 weeks. (maybe 10).Our dividends go toward fuel every year! Thank God for Global Warming!!!! ( heavy sigh of exhaled CO2)
PS I've already gone over the savings and reducing,conserving and closing off the house on other sites. Please don't bring that up again.;}
mw123.....If you have to spend 12 hours backpeddling your first comment, you need to work on your writing skills.
me writing skill might not be very well, eh but i can add and I know that from 11:58am till my last post "thread" at 9:43pm it not 12 hour. but hey thanks again for the insalt. we all not as smart as you probly like to think you is..eh lol
All the complaints on the military.
Do any of you realize how much money our military brings to this state? How many very good jobs there are due to all the bases constantly remodeling and growing?
If your a service man or woman and this is where your stationed I feel you have every right to the PFD if you meet the guidlines.
I do think however though that there should be a military section that is audited on the application. And I don't beleive you should be able to have the check mailed or deposit made in any account outside of Alaska.
Maybe it is already that way? I am not sure?
Sitka USCG, Kodiak USCG, Elmendorf, Ft Rich, National Guard, Eielson, Wainright, Clear, Ft. Greely, Navy on Ft. Rich etc etc Bring in a lot of money that keep this state going.
It's not just oil and no I am not in the military but am proud to be surrounded by our troops in Alaska.
right on moose
WE LOVE THE MILITARY!!! I SAY THEY CAN HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANT!!!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
I second that comment 123. For as critical as mw123s' (mw short for major whiner? Probably not but it seems to fit for as adamant as he was about not complaining about it.) comments have been to the other people that have posted, his statements were right on par for, at best, middle school grammar. I have seen some atrocious writing on here before but mw123 you come very close to taking the cake. Flame people on here all you want but do it with a grammar and spell checker b4 (yes that was intentional. I am noting that because I see that you have a nit picky eye about you with typing.) you send it out.
But for someone that has lived here since the early 70's, I say welcome to Alaska! It is nice to see new people up here. Just make sure that your fortitude is in over drive when it comes to the winters here. I know that you have braved one (maybe two) but the last few winters have been pretty mild compared to others. And with fuel going the way that it has....lets pray that they continue to stay mild!
Thankfully, we don't have to all follow what sniffles believes.
I have lived here 15 years. I took the PFD once. Since then I let you all have your welfare! It is cool if you want it! But...please remember that you are now on welfare! There is no difference. You have done NOTHING to earn it and you are taking away from the state what could make this ridiculous educational system better, or make us less dependent on oil, etc. You are welfare recipients. No shame. But just remember you are!! So don't blame single moms and dads or people having a tough time. You get paid a wage way above national average and you accept welfare from the state to buy toys. You are all welfare dependent. Not an insult! I just want you all to be a little less harsh on people out there who need help. Obviously, you feel you need help from the state- you filed for it.
Amen!! Welfare for the masses!!! I am amazed at how harsh people are about your comments! You have the best arguments on here. It proves your point!! Too many people in this town are uneducated rednecks!! I too own a business and in my own way I ensure I do not hire or help conservatives. It is not about tolerance. This is black and white. These people are ignorant and borderline evil!! They have no concept of the real world and I wish we could remove them from this state!
For now, just fight the good fight and know that many of us agree! They are good for a laugh though!!! Bush is the most evil piece of garbage that ever held any office. He ran every business her ever touched into the ground and now he has done it to our country. These morons have suffered at the hands of this idiot and they defend him. This proves just how simple they are!!
Generally dividends are paid out by companies to their investors. I choose to look at the PFD the same way. Alaska, for a long time has been resource rich, but people poor. When people choose to invest in Alaska, by living here, going to school here, and working here, Alaska pays them a dividend for their investment.
I know that I could earn a higher wage and have a lower cost of living if I moved elsewhere, but I was born here, and I choose to invest in Alaska's future by staying here.
Marie, you didn't use nearly enough exclamation points in your post. I'm afraid that I just can't take your position seriously, despite agreeing with you.
HA! Yep. That is funny! An investment! What ever you need to feel better about being unable to support yourself!!! I agree, this is welfare!!! I dont accept it either. How sad people must be to be excited about $2000 from the state. Brainer you are right, why dont they go to school or learn a trade? Why do they get so excited about this money? I am sure the multi-kid families are loving it. Why do we let them have it? Let's write some letters and try to stop this welfare! Lazy people who can't support their lives want the state to pay for their new cars and phone bills.
It's not an investment to live here! It is a privledge!! They think they should be rewarded? I was born in Homer and I think it is appauling that these people take from what little money we have for services to the people of Alaska. Shame on you for having more than you need and taking welfare too!
Dana - I have to admit, that gave me quite the laugh :)
No matter where you live you are investing in the local economy. Alaska, more than other states, has a tough time getting people to invest here. The fact that they offer the dividend is a bonus to me. Like I said, I was born here, and I choose to stay. Not because of the dividend, but because it's my home.
The dividends Alaska has given me have, until this year, allowed me to increase my investment in the state by helping pay for my continuing education, which in turn, helps my employer and the people I serve.
This year most of it will go into the fuel tank rather than towards education, but not because I live outside my means. I live in a small house (under 600 square feet). I do not have a boat, snow machine, ATV or any of the other things generally referred to as "toys". I have been on 3 "vacations" in the last 10 years, 1 was for a funeral, and the other 2 weddings.
I do drive a fairly new vehicle, but that is only because my old one died in the middle of Airport and Peger at 5pm on a Friday several years ago, and with a 25 year old vehicle the kindest (and safest) thing I could do at that point was put it down.
My point is, I've invested in Alaska, Alaska has paid me dividends for that investment, which have allowed me to invest even more in this state.
Well damn!
I was all ready to get off this "Comment" section, until I saw this drivel posted by "NewsminerBrainminers."
First off, in all the 15 years you've lived here you've "taken the PFD once."
"Gold Star for you!"
I won't call you what a few of my friends have called you, as I'll keep things PG.
But don't "hate" on the hundreds of thousands of Alaskan citizens who choose to file each and every year.
And doing so in the manner you just did...(7/28/08--12:06am) really doesn't put you in the esteemed category of those truly having a clue.
I've lived here in Alaska 23 years now.
I first received the PFD in 1986, and it was a "whopping" $556.
At the time, I voiced surprise that I lived in a state that actually had a program of that magnitude.
Being a broke college (UAF) student at the time, the money came in handy for sure.
Would have been a fool to turn it down.
We've come a long way since then, and hundreds of thousands of Alaskans still benefit financially from being just that....Alaska residents.
But never have I ever thought of the PFD as welfare.
I think you need to back up on those comments unless you've TRULY been there.
You see, I KNOW what it means to be on welfare.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, eldest of SIX children in a single parent household in the 1970's and 80's.
I remember vividly my mother waiting in long lines, once a month, to get that welfare check.
I keep memories of those days close to me.
Taking those food stamps to the store to buy food, etc. etc.
THAT was welfare.
This PFD stuff....is not.
But it's money I will NOT turn down, regardless of your lame comments.
Here are a few reasons:
Since 1995, half of my daughter's PFD's have gone towards the University of Alaska Advanced College Tuition Program.
As expensive as college has become, my daughter, who intends to go that route when done with high school, has a leg up on the process, courtesy, the PFD.
And finally, with the aid of the State Child Support Enforcement Division, the PFD is the ONLY way I can get an ex-spouse to be financially responsible towards her first-born child, who I have sole custody of.
Yes, a large chunk of her PFD comes to my address annually.
I say all of this because I take offense with your "welfare recipient" comments.
If you've never been on that side of the tracks, you don't know what the hell you're talking about, and if you have, hopefully you're doing all you can to get off of it.
Despite a certain status I've attained in life, as I said earlier, I've never forgotten those days, nor will I ever.
The PFD is something you FILE for, meaning if you don't, you don't get it, period.
In other words, it's a choice one makes.
Not doing so, but then moaning because everyone else does, AND THEN making very dumb comments about it in the process?
Not smart.
Oh yeah!
And for all those making comments about not only Welfare, but education, etc, while I do agree with the comments about Bush, his departure way overdue, the "uneducated redneck" and other comments? Way over the top.
I not only hold a High School Diploma, but TWO College Degree's as well, and lazy has never much been a part of my vocabulary.
And I STILL intend to file for a PFD baby!
My daughter will too!
Man! Can you FEEL THE LOVE on these comments?
Peace!!!!
grabs popcorn
Why the big stink about military getting a PFD? It's not your money to give, so why care? Those guys and their families deserve it way more than anyone in this State. I don't care if you've lived here 50 years and work outside everyday. They sacrifice so much for this country and get hardly anything in return. They still have to buy gas and food and such. Good Grief.