Hannan: Debate on PFD size may be delayed until second special session in August

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 11:28am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Juneau Representative Sara Hannan

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - There may be a light at the end of the tunnel for the current special legislative session.

That's the word from Juneau Representative Sara Hannan on Action Line.  She said all members of the House have been notified that a full floor session is anticipated Monday afternoon.  She concludes from that announcement that the conference committee on the budget will have a package to put before lawmakers for a vote.  

But that may not mean the package will include a size for this year's Permanent Fund Dividend.  Hannan points out that the call for the second special session in August addresses bigger revenue questions.  She also points out that the Legislature has not had a lot of collective debate and argument about the specific size of the Permanent Fund Dividend.  So she doesn't think that's going to be completely resolved in the next week and offers this speculation, "I think that some of the discussions around the amount of the Permanent Fund Dividend for this year are going to be put off until August."

The second special to convene August 2 will take up measures suggested by the Governor for placing a spending limit in the constitution as well as a vote of the people before any new tax can be implemented.  Lawmakers will also consider revenue measures and how to allocate federal relief funds

The Senate's budget calls for a dividend of about $23-hundred while the House operating budget is silent on the amount.

Hannan says her House Majority Caucus is adamant about not overdrawing the Percent of Market Value formula from isolation of a bigger fiscal plan.   She figures a $1,000 dividend would fit in given the condition of the state's fiscal situation right now.

 

More from News of the North

• Dunleavy says Legislature may be called back June 23, unless changes are made by tomorrow

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said he is "prepared" to call the Legislature back into session on June 23 if they do not craft a full budget by Friday evening, the last day of the special session.

• Alaska Legislative Leaders Approve Retroactive Allowances

  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska legislative leaders have agreed to allow lawmakers to collect retroactively an allowance for the special session now nearing its end.

• Just How Fast is Seward’s Lydia Jacoby

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - When Lydia Jacoby, the 17-year-old Seward Tsunami Swim Club sensation, touched the wall at Tuesday’s U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, in the finals of the 100-meter breaststroke and the her lane clock stopped at one minute 05.28 seconds, a crowd of Juneau’s Glacier Swim Club athletes, clad in swim gear at practice, erupted in cheer.

• Alaska State Capitol reopens to the public

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Legislative Council, a group made up of members from both the House and Senate, unanimously agreed to reopen the Alaska State Capitol to members of the public in a meeting Wednesday.

• Story sees PFD and other funding issues not being resolved until August special session

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau Representative Andi Story believes a $525 Permanent Fund Dividend is too low and will eventually be increased to $1,100, but not in this special session.

• NCL okays Juneau's request for donation redirection

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted 6-3 on Monday evening to decline a $2 million donation from Norwegian Cruise Line, citing it as "inappropriate" and bad timing. Instead, they decided to ask NCL to redirect the funds to the Juneau Community Foundation.

• Alaska Hiker Chased Off Trail by Bears

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska hiker who reported needing help following bear encounters on a trail reached a road and flagged down help Wednesday, authorities said.

• Alaska Legislature Passes Budget with Funding Holes

  Juneau, Alaska (AP / KINY) - The Alaska Legislature approved a state spending package following a series of dramatic votes in the Senate on Wednesday and impassioned speeches highlighting the tensions over the annual dividend paid to residents and the frayed nerves after five months in session.

• Senators press Interior Secretary Haaland on oil lease pause

  Washington (AP) - Both Republican and Democratic senators are pressing Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for answers after a federal court blocked the Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters.

• JPD going "backwards" on officer recruitment

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Juneau Police Department has taken a step backwards in its effort to recruit officers.

• Douglas Flag Day winners announced

  Douglas, Alaska (KINY) -On June 14, the Douglas Fire Fighters ranked their favorite flag decorations on Douglas. The judges have made their decisions in the Douglas Flag Day competition.

• Alaska Senate passes budget, paves way for $525 PFD

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Senate took up and passed the budget proposed by the conference committee on Wednesday.