Letters to the Editor

Letter: Give us our PFDs

This would be an excellent time for the state government to give Alaskans the Permanent Fund dividend revenue that it has commandeered from us over the past several years. It would stimulate the economy at a time when the economic outlook is as bleak as its been in modern history. And it would give much-needed financial help to citizens who are stepping up and doing the right thing by isolating themselves to protect their neighbors and families but are facing financial disaster in order to do so.

Now is a good time to remember that the Permanent Fund was established by constitutional amendment with a vote of the people in order to protect in perpetuity a part of the oil revenue from being spent by state government. Even members of the government knew the state could not be trusted with all of the wealth from Alaska’s resources.

The Legislature may have the legal right to take this money from the people — they write the laws — but they are wrong to do so. If protecting the PFD were put to a vote of the people, it would pass overwhelmingly. Give us back our PFD. And never touch it again without a vote of the people.

— Allen Janz

Anchorage

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