JUNEAU (AP) — Officials are aiming to send out the first wave of Permanent Fund dividend payments to Alaska residents the week of Oct. 11, a Department of Revenue spokesperson said.
The department’s Genevieve Wojtusik said in an email Sept. 22 that the first wave would include those who filed for their PFD electronically. She said the second round of payments, which would include those who filed paper applications, would go out about two weeks later.
The Legislature mid-September appropriated $730.5 million for dividends this year of about $1,100 and to cover administrative expenses and other related costs. Wojtusik said the final PFD amount is being calculated and is expected to be announced this week.
Dividends typically are paid in the early fall but this year’s payout wasn’t determined until the Legislature’s third special session of the year, which ended last week.
Lawmakers and the governor had battled all year over the amount of this year’s PFD. Gov. Mike Dunleavy consistently argued for a much larger check, which would have required drawing additional money out of the Alaska Permanent Fund.
And although many legislators agreed with the governor, most refused to go along with an extra withdrawal from the state’s savings account. Eventually, enough lawmakers agreed to the $1,100 compromise PFD — about $100 more than last year — resolving the dispute for this year.
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