Despite Walker’s objections, Legislature considers dipping into Permanent Fund

Alaska’s government has never in 40 years used permanent fund earnings to balance the state budget. That could change this year. How the Legislature and Governor Bill Walker handle a plan could have big implications on Alaskans’ Permanent Fund dividends.
Gov. Bill Walker at a press availability, January 28, 2016. Photo: Skip Gray/360NorthWednesday is the last day of the legislative session. And lawmakers head into it without knowing how they’re going to fill a roughly $3.5 bill