10/19/18: A bipartisan consensus to lock the PFD in the AK Constitution. Vote for leaders who will get this done. https://www.adn.com/opinions/2018/10/19/we-must-elect-leaders-to-save-the-pfd-and-the-permanent-fund/
5/23/18: Permanent Fund Defenders continue the fight for Alaskans’ rights. Clem Tillion met with the Permanent Fund Trustees to advocate for a PFD locked in the Alaska Constitution with the original formula in law. (Click “skip survey”on the page if the article doesn’t open right away) https://www.frontiersman.com/news/the-pfd-war-isn-t-going-away/article_a046c126-604b-11e8-adff-d3c121aa1ed6.html
Dr. Vernon Smith, PhD from Harvard and a Nobel Laureate in Economics (2002) met with Permanent Fund Defenders in Anchorage (Oct., 2017) and said he’s a “tremendous admirer of the Permanent Fund and the principle of citizens, not the government, owning public resources.” Smith is especially qualified to comment on our fiscal situation because he worked in Anchorage from 2003-2004 as a visiting professor, the Rasmuson Chair of Economics at UAA. We appreciate his support and solidarity with Alaskans protecting the Permanent Fund.
Many Alaska lawmakers say that constituents don't understand budget issues and Alaskans should not vote on a PFD cut and Permanent Fund restructure. Rep. Bryce Edgmon and Sen. Cathy Giessel have said this openly in media interviews. Here's an economic expert you can quote who wholeheartedly disagrees with legislators who are raiding the Fund. Dr. Vernon Smith, PhD from Harvard and a Nobel Laureate in Economics (2002) recently met with Permanent Fund Defenders in Anchorage and said he's a "tremendous admirer of the Permanent Fund and the principle of citizens, not the government, owning public resources." Dr. Smith is especially qualified to comment on our fiscal situation because he lived here from 2003-2004 as the Rasmuson Chair of Economics at UAA. Gov. Hammond discussed the Fund and PFD with Smith who went on to promote a Permanent Fund and PFD for Iraq. In 2005, Smith met with the Bush Administration on the Iraqi Fund and they endorsed the plan. But sadly, Iraq's civil conflict and the US departure from the region blocked progress for an Iraqi Permanent Fund. Smith says,“The Alaska Permanent Fund was envisioned as the citizen’s share of the oil resource and that should not be surrendered lightly. Certainly not without the consent of and vote of Alaskans." More of Smith's comments at: http://www.frontiersman.com/opinions/spectrum/alaskan-looks-to-nobel-laureate-for-views-on-permanent-fund/article_e45f1dce-3ce2-11e6-8e43-6783773ae7c8.html
Posted by Permanent Fund Defenders on Saturday, October 14, 2017
5/11/18: The 2018 Session ended with SB26 passing, no change to the PFD law, and a $1100 cut to the PFD. Joe Geldhof, Permanent Fund Defender, says lawmakers don’t follow the law. It’s time for PFD protection in the Constitution.
http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Is-the-Permanent-Fund-still-the-third-rail-of-Alaska-politics-482430121.html
4/5/18: Lawmakers cut PFD to $1600 from $2700. Lawmakers hold education funding hostage, they won’t fully fund education unless the SB26 law is passed to restructure the Fund and cut the PFD.
http://mustreadalaska.com/senate-finance-1600-dividend-education-forward-funding/
4/7/18: The Senate Judiciary was forced by a majority on the Committee (Wielechowski, Costello, Shower) to hold a hearing on protecting the PFD in the Constitution (SJR1). Public testimony on this bill and two others was denied. Due to Sen. Coghill shutting down the hearing, SJR1 moved out of the Committee after blocking any progress for a year.
Chairman ends meeting after move to advance PFD constitutional amendment
Here’s the short Senate hearing with a great defense for the PFD by Sen. Wielechowski:
https://www.360north.org/gavel/video/?clientID=2147483647&eventID=2018041107
3/2/18: Alaska Public Radio Network interview with Angela Rodell, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. director, Joe Geldof, Permanent Fund Defender and Juneau lawyer, and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott. Discussion on “What would happen if we tap into the Permanent Fund?”
https://www.alaskapublic.org/2018/03/02/what-would-happen-if-we-tap-into-the-permanent-fund/
2/10/18: Anchorage Daily News, Senator Bill Wielechowski explains why it’s time to protect the PFD in the Alaska Constitution or it will disappear. https://www.adn.com/opinions/2018/02/09/written-in-stone-protect-pfd-with-constitution/
Radio ad by Dr. Jack Hickel (January, 2018) – A call to action for Alaskans to demand a public vote to secure the full PFD and enshrine this historic formula in the AK Constitution. https://chirb.it/DFNItb
VIDEO: Permanent Fund Defenders block the Governor’s plan to restructure the PFD and Fund (2016)
PFD is Alaskans’ share of the oil wealth, the People own the resource. Alaska is the only oil state that provides citizen dividends.
Permanent Fund Defender, Dr. Jack Hickel, calls on leaders to follow the PFD law, restore the full PFD and protect the Permanent Fund system:
https://www.adn.com/opinions/2017/07/21/alaskans-should-receive-their-full-permanent-fund-dividends/
SAVE THE PFD RALLY AT THE PFD LAWSUIT HEARING, 6/20/17
The Supreme Court will decide if the Governor and legislature must follow the law and transfer PFD money to Alaskans or allow the Governor to veto over $600 million from Alaskans and override Alaskans’ shareholder rights and the Permanent Fund system. It’s up to the Alaska citizens who own the Permanent Fund to approve how Fund money is used and managed.
Permanent Fund Defenders across the political spectrum don’t agree on all the budget fixes but they agree 100% that the Fund and PFD are the People’s Money.
These AK leaders call on Alaskans to join a referendum to repeal any law that restructures the Fund without public consent. http://www.alaskajournal.com/2017-04-26/referendum-effort-looms-over-plan-use-fund-earnings#.WQNmYWkrLIX
Clem Tillion and Dr. Jack Hickel, Permanent Fund Defenders, strongly oppose PFD cut and say there’s a referendum organizing to stop politicians from “stealing the People’s money.” 4/26/17
http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Former-senate-president-strongly-opposes-PFD-cut-419082634.html
Permanent Fund Defender and Alaska Statesman, Clem Tillion of Halibut Cove, calls on Alaskans to Protect the Permanent Fund.
News KTUU Ch. 2: Public Vote proposal for the Permanent Fund changes rejected by Senate Committee (3/1/17 – KTUU)
Commentary: Dividend Vital to Protect the Fund (2/11/17 – Alaska Dispatch)
https://www.adn.com/opinions/2017/02/11/dividend-is-vital-to-protection-of-alaskas-permanent-fund/
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→ www.change.org/p/defend-our-pfd-and-fund-now
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