Senate Finance Permanent Fund bills could lower dividends, stabilize budget

The outlines of changes to the Permanent Fund became clearer on Tuesday. Senate Finance Committee introduced a bill that would pay for much of the state government’s budget using the Fund’s earnings. It also would reduce residents’ Permanent Fund dividends, but make them more stable for the future.
Sen. Anna MacKinnon, R- Anchorage on the floor of the Senate during debate about the state operating budget, March 14, 2016. (Photo by Skip Gray, 360 North)The bill could be the basi