Alaska House votes for full dividend this year

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Alaska House on Monday voted to pay out a full Alaska Permanent Fund dividend this year, but residents shouldn’t start thinking about how they’ll spend the big check just yet.

The measure now moves to the Senate, where leaders have been lukewarm to funding a full check.

Alaskans haven’t had a full dividend check since 2015, when nearly every resident pocketed $2,072. The last two years, the check has been cut in about half as the state has eyed potential use of Alaska Permanent Fund earnings to help cover state costs amid a budget deficit. Dividends come from fund earnings.

Lawmakers who supported the full dividend said Alaskans shouldn’t be the only ones pitching in. Those who opposed the concept saw it as fiscally reckless.

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