Every Alaskan (man, woman, child) is getting an extra $1,200 to help with energy costs

[Newsjock]

Source: Anchorage Daily News

Most Alaskans will receive their Permanent Fund dividends on Sept. 12, the state said this afternoon.

That's about three weeks earlier than was initially announced.

This year's payment of about $2,100 - the exact amount hasn't been announced yet - will be supplemented by a $1,200 "resource rebate," for a total payment of about $3,300 per Alaskan.

... The Legislature approved the extra $1,200 payment this month to help Alaskans cope with high energy costs.

Read more: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/500149.html

[magellan]

1. How nice

Yeah, that's all I have to say.

[d_b]

2. im blowing mine

beer and hookers ftw

[Naturyl]

3. I thought you said you were blowing it

After the beer and hookers, you should waste the rest.

[d_b]

10. :-)

[Blue_In_AK]

4. The oil companies are making obscene profits in our state.

As an Alaskan, I'm glad we're getting some of it back, especially for the sakes of the rural people who are paying up to $10 a gallon for gas.

Hate us if you want to. I'm just glad that Jay Hammond, et al., had the foresight to establish the Alaska Permanent Fund back in the day, sharing the wealth with the people, rather than letting the oil companies and government reep all the benefits. The People's Republic of Alaska ROCKS!

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Saw the prices while on a cruise... can't say I blame you

and even in Ketchikan and the rest of the Inland Passage, folks OUTSIDE the state don't realize all has to be shipped or flown in

That will raise prices.

Loved the place by the way, even if a little wet and cold...

Will use my Alaska vest when it cools down again over here...

Yes, it was bought at a store operated by locals and owned by locals and it was MADE in the US.

I know you will get why I typed this.

[Drum]

6. I loved Ketchikan!

Good, good memories, in a beautiful place. :)

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. We didn't get to see much of Ketchikan, since we went on

a nature tour... I wished we had

[Blue_In_AK]

7. Yep.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit, and thank you for understanding. :pals:

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. We enjoyed it... and we have MANY photos as well

as well as a couple of jackets to remember the place by and some LOCALLY produced art.

:-)

But yes, we get it.

Hell, I fell in love with Sitka, but my health would prevent me from moving to Sitka... even if we wanted to, or could afford to

[Naturyl]

11. Hate? No way. I envy you.

I wish the whole country would take a BIG clue from Alaska and start setting up something similar for all of us.

[qwertyMike]

12. That's Communism

or socialism - the gov. helping the people!!!!!!!!!!! Jeez.

You should be ashamed and let your state revert to Russia.
(/joke)

[Blue_In_AK]

13. You laugh

but you would be surprised at how many people here say just that very thing, even as they're accepting the money. I think the PFD everyone is pretty comfortable with after all these years, but this energy rebate really caused some of the more wacko conservatives' heads to explode, especially since it was proposed by the Republican governor. And of course there's been a ton of whining by the newcomers who haven't been here long enough to collect. We apply for PFDs before April 1, I believe, and the person has to have been here since January 1 of the previous year to qualify. Since the legislature decided to tie the rebate to the PFD, it caused quite a bit of grumbling. I think they're trying to work something out where people who were eligible for the PFD but didn't apply can apply for the rebate, but the new folks are just out of luck.

I like that because I think a person should have to survive a winter here before he (or she) gets to reap any of the monetary benefits. It's not for the faint-hearted. :)