Alaska Legislature passes $1,200 energy rebate
Originally published Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 9:06 p.m.
Updated Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 11:25 p.m.
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Stumble It!By STEVE QUINN
Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU — Most Alaskans are $1,200 richer.
That’s because the Alaska Legislature backed Gov. Sarah Palin’s call for an energy assistance package in a special session that ended just hours before its 11:59 p.m. Thursday deadline.
An energy bill and an accompanying appropriations bill are worth close to $1 billion. Both await Palin’s signature. The Legislature also supported Palin’s suspension of the state’s 8 cent a gallon fuel sales tax.
In a statement, Palin praised lawmakers for 60 days of special session work that also featured the approval of a license to a Canadian company to pursue a natural gas pipeline project.
“Legislators provided Alaskans with a strong and diverse package of short-term energy assistance,” Palin said. “We can build on this good work as we bring forward a much more comprehensive energy package for consideration in the next regular session.
“It is also important to remember that all Alaskans have a tool already available to them to help with high energy costs: conservation,” Palin said. “As Alaskans prepare for winter, there are some immediate steps that we can take to help reduce energy costs and lower the burden of these high prices.”
The energy assistance bill also enables rural villages to borrow as much as $750,000 — a $250,000 increase — for bulk fuel purchases. That required a $20 million appropriation.
And lawmakers agreed on a one-year enhancement of a state-funded program that assists rural Alaskans with utility costs that far outstrip the national averages.
On Wednesday, the House gave preliminary approval to a bill that lacked the utility assistance, but on Thursday added it to the bill and passed the package 33-2; the Senate concurred in an 11-5 vote.
The utility assistance program is called Power Cost Equalization, or PCE, and it helps subsidize those paying between 12 cents per kilowatt hour and $1 per kwh. The $1 cap will replace the current ceiling of 52.5 cents per kwh.
What this means is, if a resident pays 70 cents per kwh, the state will cover 95 percent of the difference between the 12-cent base rate and the 70-cent cost.
House Finance Committee Co-Chairman Rep. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, said the energy bill is “something that will keep the lights on in rural Alaska.”
Meyer and others who supported the bill said the one-year measure is generous to residents statewide, plus offers supplemental help to those whose situations were becoming dire.
“This is kind of the missing piece,” Meyer said of the utility assistance that accounted for $23 million of the bill. “That is still a significant dollar amount, but we’re helping people who need it the most.”
Meyer said that another strength of the bill is that it added money to an existing program without creating additional bureaucracy that could bog down the plan.
Sen. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, said she was concerned that the energy package lacked enough long-term planning, but said lawmakers will begin working on those issues between now and when they return in January.
“Truly addressing energy relief requires long-term solutions,” McGuire said. “My concern is we ended up with a program that gets enshrined and is not sustainable in the long term.”
Many lawmakers were torn about voting either way.
Some didn’t like the energy package for various reasons, but they also didn’t want to return home having to explain why the state’s coffers are filling up with billions from oil revenue, but there was no help for the state’s residents.
“It was not the package I would have constructed,” said Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage. “But I wasn’t willing to go home empty-handed. So this gives us time to plan for the longer term.”
The bill’s most high-profile component is the $1,200 payout to most Alaskans.
Lawmakers knew residents had come to expect that sum would be added to the annual Permanent Fund Dividend, the check from oil revenues that most Alaskans receive just for living in the state.
What could the extra money mean?
In the Southeast town of Haines, with its 130-vessel fishing fleet, fishermen might take a few more trips out to sea. Fleets worldwide have been beset by fuel costs. Many captains have tied up their boats because it was no longer worth fishing.
In the Yukon region’s Chalkyitsik, $1,200 can buy up to six cords of wood, enough to heat homes into spring, said Rep. Woodie Salmon, D-Beaver. Salmon said the extra money could go to even the smaller items such as gassing up a chain saw to cut down wood.
In Wasilla, about 50 miles north of downtown Anchorage, the $1,200 could be just what residents need to ease the costs of commuting 500 miles a week. Rep. Wes Keller, R-Wasilla, said residents there were paying about $4.60 a gallon for gas, about 75 cents above the national average.
Community Discussion
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Well that will pay for the fuel I just got.
After all, the Governor had it right in the first place.
THANK YOU, Alaska Legislature. I know a number of Alaskans that would have had an extremely difficult time making it through this winter without the help.
It is about time!!! Wonder when we will see it? Will it just be 1200 per household or 1200 per person?
Coupled with the record PFD we will each receive, this will certainly help, especially families where expenses are shared. I am anxious to see how the Interior delegation voted, given how hard hit we are by the cost of heating oil.
on adn.com says it will be added to the PFD's this year and they will be sent out early, leading you to believe per person. Also leading me to believe that they changed the qualifications and unless you qualify for the dividend you will not qualify. Can someone out there verify that? Sucks for my family. This is winter #2 here.....sigh.
How did each representative and senator vote? Where's the roll call?
There is a lot of fat in the bill that will help more than it will hurt. It is $1200 per resident. The bill is linked in the Article. Thanks to the people for speaking up and writing their Legislators and the Governor for quick action or none of this would have happened. We still have to deal with long term surplus questions and long term energy solutions. I am currious as to what the Governor's team has developed for the regular session.
reading the bill itself, quick math of 744M and some change divided by 1200 per equals 620K and change. Seems like it will be 1200 per individual, not 1200 per household.
PFD recipients, I assume. good on the state for not letting this go by the wayside when we have residents in peril.
Pixy, don't loose hope, you may still qualify for the rebate or assistance from the other programs if not the dividend. There was early talk about a seperate application process and I think that will be addressed in the administration of the rebate program.
Glad to see it work out this way; all Alaskans will appreciate the help over this upcoming winter. Thank you Sarah Palin for leading the way; you have always done what is right; why so many Alaskans support you.
I would have hated to see the anger at the polls this fall. Thanks again to the legislators for following the Governor's lead and getting this passed.
ONAPA, thanks... it was a tough one last winter, I can only imagine how tight things might be this winter.
If Mike Kelly had his way we would have nothing. He voted against every thing in the energy rebate debates. He called the programs morphine, the more you give the more "they" want. I dont think he would even deny it, he is so proud of wanting every one to be swinging in the wind.
I hope you all enjoy losing your spirit of self-reliance, being on welfare, and nodding off on smack per Rep. Kelly. Sold our souls for a relative pittance according to our local John Galt who rode the free enterprise stallion for decades at Golden Valley. Eight-to-fiver in a suit running an outfit with no competition. Real Alaskan who is terribly confused about rebates being welfare.
Thanks Sarah!
Thanks to the DNM also for such a good forum for the residents to express their opinions on our government and community issues. We don't always agree, but word is getting out and this is a good place to bring ideas together and get a broad perspective on the effects of legislation. I don't doubt that our Legislators have read a few of the comments and may eventually find this a good place to get honest opinions from their constituents, with a grain of salt from the phone calls and e-mails they receive of course.
This extra will be nice for sure for all of us. But my problem with this is I am landlord, each of my tenants will receive this extra money, but explane to me how that helps me pay my fuel bill?? When heat is included in their rent. Do I raise rent to help pull in some of this extra? No, can't do that, so my tenants will be laughing all the way to the bank with their windfall, and I will still be stuck with huge heating fuel bills.....
You know, I can think of a few uses for the money we'll be getting.
I can think of a great deal more uses for the $750M that this program is going to cost. Some things that would negate the need to ever even consider a program like this in the first place.
The Legislature has just given us $1,200 worth of fish. We should be good for this winter. If only they'd have given us some lessons and a flyrod, we'd be set for all the winters to come.
I feel VERY self reliant ! This is not welfare OR a hand out! We work hard up here in the frozen North to preserve a way of life found almost nowhere else. If my family is going to freeze to death to make a point about how cold it can get here or how tough we are up here, I want some of the finances my husband fought so hard to bring forth and worked so hard for many years to back in my pocket! Well, actually in the fuel companies pocket.
We are going to build an outside heater for our house w/ our dividends and use the fuel $$ for some fuel until we are done!There will be no BIG SCREEN TV, car pymt., new shoes, or other needed items. ONLY FUEL!
No it's not a hand out or welfare. It's money the state has, that is available to us and my family is staying warm this winter!
Thank you Sarah!
Figures you'll be the first to thank her. Hasn't gotten to her yet...Are you going to feel that when prices go 3 times they are now? No you won't I wouldn't expect you to. The temporary solution passed....Why do you think this is a permanent solution? It's was never written into law. It's has a one year life expectedly. Humm what can happen in one year.....(Take the pin outta her hair and put it to paper! NEW TRADEMAKE)
ONAPA-- Thank you for so eloquently saying "thank you" to DNM. They do provide an excellent forum for the public to voice their concerns and opinions.
I truly hope that a few of our leaders read our thoughts and concerns. Not just in Fairbanks, but Bethel, Anatuvik Pass, Nome, Anchorage,.....
The people speak.
Does anyone hear?
Evidently YES!
A heart felt Thank You.
THANK YOU SARAH !!! ; )
$$$Can you say cha ching!!!$$$ Now for all those in the state senate who only wanted to give us $500 a piece. Let's not forget when comes time cast your vote in November. For those that voted for the $1200, thank you!!!
Yes Aklady you raise the rent, most businesses pass on the increased costs. If you cant do that then you have a poorley run business.
AKLADY, if you can not raise the rent yet, IE lease, talk to an attorney about a fuel surcharge, everyone else is doing it, in the future I would suggest you make them responsible for the fuel costs or put a cap on how much you will pay per gallon, sending them the bill for the rest....
This is welfare plain and simple. I do hope those that continue to drive their huge vehicles and live in their very large homes enjoy the handout. I side with Mike Kelly we will not learn to manage our lifestyles if the government continues to subsidize us.
Pat
I give you a hand full of money in that hand fill the other two of coal which is more valuable? (Take the pin outta her hair and put it to paper! NEW TRADEMAKE)
Night Shade I will take the coal as that is how I will heat my house in the future. I will never again depend on fuel oil as my main source of heat. And any that do deserve what they get.
Pat
Nightshade,
This temporary solution is step one. The Governor's team is studying proposals from across the state for step two. One thing that she shouldn't forget to study is "Limiting Government by empowering people". The legislature added a lot of additional spending to the current energy programs in this bill. I doubt we will see the legislature take up any more action until January. Then we will see what the state does when they have 20 billion dollars to spend. It would be nice to see some long term energy projects start construction next spring and not just a bunch of studies and planning, but actual construction. Also, if they get our in-state energy plan right, the state will have plenty of cheap energy to export forever. Thus leading to a perpetual surplus, meaning we will be paying even more federal income taxes... and tigers and bears, oh my!
We are installing a wood stove as we speak in my household. this is such a big relief.. Felt like a weight was off my shoulders this winter. lets hope we have the same hope next winter.. and beyond.
This is a temporary savior. Thanks. THe only issue I have with this article is the examples given at the end of the story. Haines, Chalkyitsik, and Wasilla. WASILLA???? Come on!!!
Reflections, here I come!
Thankyou, I consider this a Blessing from the Lords hand to those of us that will intend on using it in the proper way and that is to heat our homes regardless of the heat source wood or fuel or what have you...
I just encourage those who are thinking of what else they can use it on pleasures instead of keeping their families warm this winter. Think of your wife and kids please...
God bless
Snowwolf
onpana, what are you talking about? are you saying nothing works?I'll go to your house and make it work what are you saying? Welcome to Native American Lifestyles where nothing works right as I might say. You seem intelligent like well mediator. But you seems to be missing the Native American Friend in your life I'm Most defff isn't it. I try to take the most neutral view. But I see the need for everyone to see what we care about it's not as diabolic as you'd think. In a simple phrase is called neutrality.
I see now everyone scurd.
totally scurd of oil.
all that fricken land and skurd of oil.
so skurd oil you can't tunk strait.
in fact happy when you think they be helping you all out right?
Do you think I'd help you you if you mind wasn't in the right place? See the problem? Your just one hearing away from having Sarah doing a pile dance before the democratic comity. But the here and now 1200 well should be fore everyone I can't wait to dvd this dance!
Ok, anyone, I'm sure this posting of mine will be deleted before long, but . . .
Nightshade, will you not even consider educating yourself in how to better communicate in the English language?
Your postings are painful for me to read. Mostly because we seem to be on opposite philosophical sides of any given issue.
But damn, grammar has got to count for something, if nothing less than a reader's ability to understand exactly what you've got to say.
Nightshade, from your many postings over time, apparently you feel like you've got a lot you need to express. Please, *please* make it easier on those of us who would try to understand you. Seems to me like you're passionate about the views you hold. I guarantee you that if you brush up on your writing skills, a heck of lot more people would understand where the heck you're coming from.
It'll be worth your effort. Guaranteed.
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Allan I care what you think... what can we do to help you? What can I tell them to t9o change everything in everywhere? tell me I'll make sure they most def. see it.
Allan you think I'm A board member? But I never said I was I'm Not that i'm a share holder.
You have no leverage. Ok because you have nothing t gain or lose in any anything. But you priers do gain you a losing neutrality. See I can share this what We have is the land the gasline will be built on and the royalties that will be taken. Take the pin outta her hair and put it to paper! NEW TRADEMAKE) I have 100 share the lands ownership of any gas line built. From Validies!
It is like they are trying to speak to me......
Folks, we have four months to get a long term plan agreed on. Lets do the prudent thing and help our State figure out the right solutions. Meanwhile the surplus still rolls into the general fund at an average above $90 per barrel which is the price that put us in the position where we have money to transition from oil to other energy sources.
Petition your representatives to get their ideas for energy published in the paper so we can kick them around. If you have ideas send a letter to the editor. Opinions not voiced won't be considered. As for those that don't want the "welfare", please donate it to the local shelter of your chosing and write it off of your federal taxes. I would not want you to have to spend some of your welfare check to pay for the war or federal welfare programs that might help someone less fortunate that you.
In America the Government's purpose is spelled out in the preamble to the Constitution. Now that we have taken care of ourselves temporarily, it's our responsibility to ensure all future generations of Alaskans (our posterity) are taken care of equally well.
"...in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common DEFENSE, promote the general WELFARE, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
A reminder to all, especially our representatives that they take an oath, "...that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alaska, and that I will faithfully discharge my duties as...to the best of my ability".
More money please!
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pixyfae?
It's time to invest in Exxon.
as hair petroleum maybe?
I was being sarcastic at the bickering back and forth....YAWN....
Nightshade is also ranting and babbling on ADN
wow such deletion for any second thought your almost great to bad I'm native that speaks better then you tho i'll droven mine where option matters not here one sides nm but adn thnks
I can already see the "REBATE SALE" signs from Compeau's and the rest.
Yes, but side two's babbling was well, just that a bunch of babbling garbish that said well....nothing
leave blank
just-me, seriously I understand your point, however I do not qualify for the PFD yet. This will be my second winter in North Pole. I pay for my house, taxes, electricty and fuel more than someone that does qualify for the PFD and lives in the lower 48. So,they really need to look at is as an Alaskan household or resident. I am a resident I just do not qualify for the PFD yet. I have been searching all evening and can not find whether or not I will qualify fot the resource rebate?
you'll bug for the change and the scrapes? But was it to much to ask for it all? (Take the pin outta her hair and put it to paper! NEW TRADEMAKE)
Why under this are you asking for almost nothining whine it all can be sent to you soon before winter. Why I just came up with it......i'm sorry.I was to late but I have no power to make it thro. I'll take that sorry Alaska it should be there! (Take the pin outta her hair and put it to paper! NEW TRADEMAKE)
I just caught up with the conversation. Wholy Female Bovine. Pixy I am still laughing, what movie is that line from?
Nightshade please slow down and spell it out for us. Someone has a share of Doyon and the Valdez gas line is planned to go on their land. The Governor needs to make a new deal for the state with who for what? Or are you trying to tell us that we should encourage the governor to sign the bill that just passed.
To explain my comment about the tigers and bears... the Government can't please everyone, but they came about as close as I have seen since I got here in 2001.
ONAPA< as discouraging as it may be that my family may not qualify, I do agree with you. I think it is a very good thing, but I will keep my fingers crossed. OH and BTW, it was "Finding Nemo", I have two yr old twin girls and watch it almost daily..LOL
I'm pleased. It's simple, straight forward, equal and fair. It was the only way this "crisis" would end without alienating many voters in an election year.
I'm surprised, that it wasn't more. We could afford more. But it was enough.
I'm expecting our leaders to now do more to invest in our future energy needs with the huge surplus that is accumulating.
I'm thankful. Not just for my family and me, but for all Alaskan who deserve their fair share of our oil wealth. We should be dancing in the streets with the windfall we are accumulating.
Sara deserves credit for proposing and cheerleading the proposal through a long and winding road.
I'm going to use my $1,200 to pay part of the oil bill. I just got my winter delivery.
just_me, got it now.... I am not but the husband would be HOH.
Please consider the possibility that some posters might be under the influence......
Henry's comment above is something to think about. I think they (Sarah, etc.) want to subdue us. Although, we are just leveling off to most other developed countries prices of fuel. Its time to figure out how to thrive with rising fuel prices. This check is a band aid, but one we need to give us all a little more time to figure out how to do it on our own.
I'm Beyoind saking asking doesn't help obliviously why ask of I can go before beyond and above you them real people doesn't matter? The problem is I'm lewded to you all everywhere I'm nothing just someone that care you don't know me but Doyon will. The Gasline will go thru what was once ours.Which won't be again. Is it fear? most might see it maybe. For helping themselves. But for how long? 10 yrs's 20's yrs? maybe when it becomes to expensive for you to fix? You ask me was it all worth it I ask was you grandmothers and grandfathers graves worth it?
Nightshade and Allen....Thanks so much for the laughs I have just gotten from reading this...Sigh, what a life!
just_me,understood completely
if you think the price of fuel is high now, wait until israel attacks iran over the nuclear weapons program there. maybe that will happen this fall or winter. but i'd say it is almost sure to happen.
I'm happy to see so when the walls are coming down i find it so funny when I don't live there to see when I ask a seriours ? you find so much humor. It's so hilarious. I can't stop laughing when it's you i should care for... I keep laughing and laughing.
Polarmark, I hope you are wrong, unfortunatley I think you are spot on. My Husband will be in Iraq, and I do not want him in the middle of that. When it happens and it will. It will be an ugly thing!
Sooooo, those of you calling it welfare, handouts, etc. Will you be giving it back?
Ok I think I am putting Nighshade's comments together that we should have got the entire surplus but settled for a pittance. I disagree because we have to think about our future energy sources.
But you are correct in your assertion that the entire surplus belongs to Alaskans first, not the Government. Following the main line of logic for the payout would mean that the government should let the people decide how to spend the surplus individually. However, our collective surplus can do things that we cannot do with the individual shares. You are right about us (the people) being share holders and that the government is the board of directors. We all have an equal stake in the State's future.
Pixyfae I hope your husband comes home safe from Iraq...
and all I can say is that this money will go to a good use in our household will go to heat our home this winter...as I was worried about how we would heat our home this winter...haveing to go from an apartment in town that included heat to moveing out of town to a place where we have to supply our own heat as well as propane for out stove...
IRAQ ALASKA? that'll be a change.gl with that..
pixyfae kibbles and bits? What where you thinking 75% natives said it was stupid but well they don't know nothing?
50 percent chance they'll be pixie food...
So much I could say here, but I will choose to be bigger than that. You are entitled to your opinion and I am mine..
oponaha you really might have a point I was made I might never end I was mad a little about a few things but reviewing maybe not..... i might have been to hasty maybe but some wheren't here of left when i said them.
I'm Beyoind saking asking doesn't help obliviously why ask of I can go before beyond and above you them real people doesn't matter? The problem is I'm lewded to you all everywhere I'm nothing just someone that care you don't know me but Doyon will. The Gasline will go thru what was once ours.Which won't be again. Is it fear? most might see it maybe. For helping themselves. But for how long? 10 yrs's 20's yrs? maybe when it becomes to expensive for you to fix? You ask me was it all worth it I ask was you grandmothers and grandfathers graves worth it?
Thank you to all those legislative members who worked to pass this.
I didn't want a direct check to me, causing me to have to pay federal taxes on the assistance, but I'm still content.
Distribution should be easy. Just add the amount to the PFD's comming out in october..
YEA!!
Wow, this discussion is all over the place..lol. Everyone must be giddy from the free $$, which i support. We, as individuals, are in the best position to decide what we need and how to help ourselves the most.
On the Electric part...the earlier comment was never answered. GVEA base res rate is about 11 cents kw/hr, below the 12 cent program min. But, if I read the site correctly, the actual KW/hr charge that includes all fees and stuff is closer to 20 cents per KWHr. Will we be subsidised at about 9 cents per KWHr? Any of your big ole brains happen to know? Thanks.
what I though this wouldn't last...but a few seconds....
Native American? why?
Nightshade your vote counts just as much as mine at the polls. So if we aren't together then we cancel each other out.
I don't know the answer to the GVEA question and the bill isn't clear enough and we didn't get to kick the tires on all the appropriations in it. We could always ask GVEA to raise their rates and lower the surcharge so we can qualify for a lower overall electric bill. We are talking about a member owned coop correct?
The journal entry for the House indicated "power costs" (plural) to be subsidized above 12 cents kw-hr at a rate of 90%. So it appears the GVEA "energy charge" and "fuel adjustment" would be combined for the power costs.
The GVEA customer charge is a flat rate overhead; the regulator charge is set by the regulatory commission.
(I had a GVEA billing on the desk)
The final bill I saw just listed appropriations.
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THANK YOU GOV. PALIN, THANK YOU LEGISLATURE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! It shows that there are still some politicians out there care about the wellbeing of their constituents, Alaska's are the best.
Hmmmm...
So some folks will probably go out and party away, and steal fuel from the rest of us anyway.
Gotta put more ammo and padlocks on the list I reckon.
Check.
I think I understand now- If I get it, it's a rebate. If you get it, it's welfare. If everybody gets it, then the legislature has successfully bribed the entire state to return the incumbents to Juneau in this Fall's election and continue the status quo. I would expect nothing more from that corrupt bunch, now that they have bought off the entire state. We the people are no different than Kott, Allen, Kohring, Cowdery and the rest of the CBC. What do you think we would get if this wasn't an election year?
I'm gonna keep that $1200 though, at least the part the IRS will let me have. Fill the tank and then PARTY!
YEAS: 33 NAYS: 5 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 0
Yeas: Buch, Chenault, Coghill, Dahlstrom, Doll, Edgmon,
Fairclough, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg,
Harris, Hawker, Johansen, Johnson, Joule, Kawasaki, Keller, Kerttula,
Lynn, Meyer, Nelson, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Roses, Salmon,
Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Wilson
Nays: Cissna, Crawford, Doogan, Holmes, Kelly
Excused: LeDoux, Samuels
YEAS: 9 NAYS: 8 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0
Yeas: Bunde, Dyson, Hoffman, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens,
Thomas, Wilken
Nays: Davis, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Huggins, Kookesh,
Wielechowski
Excused: Cowdery, Therriault, Wagoner
Like I have said before, it would be a good time to sell your house and rent. Your average landlord will never be able to recoup the cost of fuel this winter. We thought about switching our 2 units to electric heat so the tenant has to pay and that is a possiblility for the future. Having one boiler to heat 2 units would not be as easy or cheap to separate. The only choice is to raise the rent or "eat it". But with so many troops being deployed this Fall, the rental market could tank so be careful. We stand to lose $700 in January alone - oh well, it's just money!! Glad to hear the help is on the way.
now i can make to february but what about march and april and i don't have it in my hand yet so don't coun'nt your chickens yet this could be the worse winter yet look at our summer coldest on record and you could freese to death yet wake up you oakers your not thro winter yet keep on talking the hot air sould keep you warm
now i can make to february but what about march and april and i don't have it in my hand yet so don't coun'nt your chickens yet this could be the worse winter yet look at our summer coldest on record and you could freese to death yet wake up you oakers your not thro winter yet keep on talking the hot air should keep you warm
It's money coming to us from revenue taken from land the people own.
I don't see a problem with it.
I guess fire service is a handout too, right?
Thank you Sarah Palin!
KMdotcom-
If you really owned it you could sell your part of it or live on it. That owner-citizen stuff makes as much sense to me as the gibberish that comes out of the mouth of a Marxist.
I really don't have a problem with the rebate either, and I like fire protection etc, but it's bread and circuses for the masses while the elite continue to stuff their pockets with our money and we keep electing them over and over again and wonder why things keep getting worse. They throw us a fish or build a bridge now and then but we get the scraps and Exxon makes record profits. The supreme court's finding in the Exxon case tells you who really owns America. And now it turns out that Trans-Canada does what Exxon wants too!
Sorry for the rant but I got started and couldn't stop.
hstkmtn, I don't disagree. I guess I have a little bit of a "flowery" perspective as far as public land ownership goes. The same can be said about the money gained from that land. :/
I guess my point is that, I just don't view it as a handout(per se).
The issue of self-reliance seems to be coming up a lot in this case, but what is the difference between helping families survive the winter (a declared energy emergency) and people receiving funds from the government to repair their homes and businesses after the floods (a declared disaster)?
Would we be able to assume that even in Alaska, self-reliance is not possible in all cases?
It's early in the AM. Time for sleep.
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Call it what you will, no matter how you paint it it is still WELFARE, now what about the high cost of BEER ? Damn it you OWE me more, just look at how much money you have, some of it must be MINE .
Will this finally end the cries that the children will freeze this winter. Let's see how many will actually pack up and leave or will the expectation of another windfall next year keep them around. Wonder if the family of 8 is complaining now. Foreward to complain about politics and candidates.
Of course this is welfare, just like the PFD. Steal from the rich, and redistribute the wealth. We need the long term solution of overriding the environmentalists who have imprisoned us in their search for the primitive life, and their worship of nature.
Now we're all just a little more dependent on the government, I'm sure the liberals are very happy since their idea is for the government to run it all.
It looks like the rebate will be attached to the Permanent Fund check, so it appears only those who qualify for the APF will receive the rebate. Can heard the complaints now from those who have not been here long enough to collect this years check. Wonder if the bill collectors, those who didn't pay child support, etc. will have the rebate garnished.
What will we do when fuel is 3 times more expensive?
Gee, that would place the state's take from oil at around $100 BILLION dollars. After we paved the streets with gold, we could spend $30,000 per resident for a complete wind and solar setup and could supplement this with 10 new hydro dams. With free power we could all heat with electric and by then the new electric cars will be on the market and we could all buy one with our dividend check.
Oh it's welfare alright but I won't be giving it back. Somebody gives me $$ I'll take it but I'm not delusional about whether I've earned it.
I just hope the numerous conservatives in Fbks that have railed against welfare in the past keep this payment in mind the next time they are tempted to complain about those freeloaders on public assistance.
I think everbody should go out and buy a pellet stove ($2000) and 5 tons of pellets ($1500). Home Depot and others carry both. This will get you through this winter and greatly reduce your oil bill. Pellet stoves don't require an expensive chimney--just a vent--and can be installed in hours by anyone handy. They are extremely safe and easy to install.