Dunleavy proposes dividend back pay over 3 years

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Latest on the Alaska Legislature (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is proposing paying Alaskans $3,678 over the next three years to make up for years Alaska oil-wealth fund checks were capped.

The money would be on top of whatever the annual dividend otherwise would be for this year, 2020 and 2021. Under Dunleavy’s proposal, the money would come from the Alaska Permanent Fund earnings.

Checks were capped from 2016 through 2018 amid a budget deficit.

Alaskans who received a permanent fund dividend in 2016 and are eligible for this year’s check would get an extra $1,061 this year.

Those who got a dividend in 2017 and are eligible for one in 2020 would get an additional $1,289 next year, and those who got a 2018 dividend and are eligible for a 2021 dividend would get an extra $1,328 in 2021.

—

10:45 a.m.

Alaska House members hope to find a workaround to keep staff on the job while they try to organize a majority.

The Legislature’s human resources manager, Skiff Lobaugh, last week warned that House session staff would not be authorized to work beginning Wednesday if the House remained unorganized.

He said a temporary staffing authorization would expire the first day of session, which was Tuesday.

Mike Mason is press secretary for the coalition that led the House the past two years.

He says Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, the former House Rules chair, says members plan to resolve the issue on the floor Wednesday and lawmakers were told to have their staff report to work.

Jessica Geary with the Legislative Affairs Agency says the agency is awaiting direction from the House.

AP-WF-01-16-19 2130GMT