Regional, economic divides hinder compromise on state's fiscal future

Some of the key players in legislative efforts to reach a compromise on a long-term fiscal plan for the state — in addition to settling on an amount for this fall’s Permanent Fund dividend — say growing regional, political and economic differences, plus a large number of first-term legislators, make the effort harder.

“To find a common ground means people have to give up something,” said Anchorage Sen. Natasha von Imhof.

That compromise of spending versus revenues versus dividends has to add up to a solution that balances the checkbook and “does not cripple our state” for future economic growt...