Letter to the Editor
Poor rebate rule
Published Thursday, August 14, 2008
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To the editor:
I was dismayed to read that the $1,200 energy assistance rebates that were approved Thursday night by the Legislature will be added to this year’s Permanent Fund dividend checks.
My wife and I moved to Alaska in March from Washington state. We are contributing, tax-paying, politically-active members of our community and pay the same fuel prices as everyone else.
But, because we are not eligible to receive a Permanent Fund dividend disbursement this year, we are also being excluded from this much-needed energy assistance rebate.
By choosing to add this rebate to the Permanent Fund dividend disbursements, the Legislature is, in fact, excluding anyone who moved to the state on or after Jan. 2, 2007.
I think this decision is extremely unfair to new(er) Alaska residents and comes across as quite unfriendly.
Community Discussion
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The residency rule was the only way to make the program work so as to avoid widespread fraud and abuse. If it was up to me, it would be even tougher.
Sorry but the residency rule is design so
people from this land may benefit a small
portion of what they gave up.
I would have to agree with starman. The PFD is designed for permanent residents of Alaska. I do not disagree that you are living here now and contributing, when you meet the state requirements you will share in the state wealth. I also think there should be stricter requirements than there already are. I have family that has moved up here that is in your same situation and I feel for them too, however my view remain the same.
Everybody has to put in their time. This was not an energy rebate anyhow. It was a resource rebate from the extra money the State made this year.
Everyone needs to remember under Palin's plan this was a "Resource Rebate". That being said it is unfair how it is being distributed. It should remain in the state to help out with "resources". Simply put, I do not think they had enough time to come up with a solution to do this without having lawsuits wanting the divedend requirements changed to 180 days. I do not qualify either. Yes, it sucks! But, I do understand why they had to do what they did. My gripe is they should have not taken so long to figure out the bill and maybe they could have worked on a way to distribute this better. If they could have worked it out the way it was originally planned. The state and the local economy, as well as LOCAL Alaskans would have benefited from the fund. Just my two cents....
Lived here four months and already expects a handout. What happened to "Tougher in Alaska". Sorry it seems unfriendly.
This is what happens when money is "given away".
We should get rid of the PFD program. Then we won't have to listen to all the short timers whinning about not being fair.
Maybe you should take time to read the Alaska Constitution and the legislation regarding the APF if you are so politically active. If your income will not be sufficient to buy your heating oil and you meet the guidelines , you can apply for heating assistance. Considering the falling price of oil and the nature of our legislator, this resource rebate most likely will be a one time only deal. By the way you may want to read the rules regarding the APF wait time, you may be in for a surprise.
If there was a 30 day cut off point, the person with 29 days would be complaining. Plain and simple.
-- I think the problem here is perception. It was initially billed as a way to help people with the astronomical rise in heating oil costs, but the name was changed to "resource rebate" to make it appear that Alaskans are getting an extra few pennies from their oil profits.
-- Some people complain about not rubber-stamping the Gov's proposal from the start, but the deliberative process is an important part of our form of government. If you think they didn't have enough time, blame Jay Ramras and his idiotic plan to reduce government waste by shortening the session a couple of years ago. How many special sessions have we had since then?
-- As for the future, perhaps there is a silver lining. Rather than "waste" more time deliberating new and stricter residency standards, this will encourage an exodus of people who can't seem to be happy here in the first place. A dip in the state population means everyone's check will go up next year and unemployment rates go down...everyone wins!
Hairbrain,
You nailed it. No matter the rule, there will be someone against it. Give it a few years and the new family will be telling others that they have to put in their time for the PFD.
And so MOST men and women in the U.S. Army up there and other forces will not receive this money either I understand.
Not there fault that MOST were ordered to be there for there training or whatever reason they are there.
Some do not make enough to fill up there tank for heat with one paycheck
I am hearing.
I feel for our son and family and others like him that get pure NOTHING..and probably never will as long as he is stationed there.....
This will be there 2nd Winter in Alaska
While I understand the reasoning this is not really fair. My husband is in the Army and has been in Alaska for 2 years and 9 months. We do not live on post and pay all the same costs that any other Alaska resident does; however, he chose not to change his residency to Alaska. We have no complaints that he doesn't get a PFD because he chose not to become a resident but my understanding is this was intended to help people with the high gas/fuel prices and this cuts out the soldiers that choose not to change their residency.
Does this mean that children receiving PFD's will also get the extra $1200? Or is their an age restriction?
I am still constantly floored by the give me attitude of most Alaskans. Everryone whines that the fuel is higher and that food costs more in Alaska. Take a look at where you live!!! Of course things are more expensive to live there! Everyone wants to live in the great land of Alaska, that is until they have to pay the bill, than they want hand outs from the state and feds. Face it if you choose to live on the edge of the earth you are going to pay for it. I love Alaska, tried to make a living there, but in the end found that getting ahead and living comfortably was more important than the scenery. If you want to live there, be willing to pay for the cost to do so.
Yes, children will get it as well. The money will follow the long tradition of most parents collecting their children's PFDs and using it for bills or as they see fit. The usual justification goes something like "...hey, I have to buy his school clothes..." or "...she wants to play sports, and the money has to come from somewhere..." Still other children's PFD and rebate $$ will go towards a truck payment or two. I applaud those parents who have the spine to save or invest their childs royalty $$ (PFD or 1-time rebate) and keep their greedy hands off. If you feel like you have no other choice, perhaps think about that before you pump out another kid. Children are never a good investment!
The intent was that for Alaskans who collectively own the natural resources to compensate and off set the high cost they are paying for a resource they own. The APF enrollees were used as the determinate as to who would qualify. You have the right once you meet the residency requirements to join the enrollment of the PFD. Whether your 1 or 100, if you meet the requirements and choose to participate (or your parent chooses), you share in a fair and equal distribution of income from the sale or lease of this State's natural resources.
If you want energy assistance, apply for that program and meet the requirements to participate.
s003aac congratulations for raising a son who not only serves his country but lives his life with integrity.
OutofAK - so basically you left because of the high cost of living here in Alaska. Every state in the union has residents that have a give me attitude, not just Alaska.
"Everyone wants to live in the great land of Alaska, that is until they have to pay the bill, than they want hand outs from the state and feds"
You are entitled to that opinion, however since you have left our great land of Alaska, it might be better if kept to yourself. Does the cost of fuel, electric, food and other necessities you now have not cause you to complain and want more from your state and federal government? Of course it does. Does your state have any natural resources to give its permenant residents any form of royalty? Either directly or indirectly? Alaska shares it oil (and soon gas) with everyone outside of our state. So where is the beef?
Donnomite,
The military to my knowledge provides housing and helps pay for off base housing in most cases, I am not sure where you get your information. I think your being feed a sob story by your son and you should check the credibility of it.
Having been in the military, my experience was that they reacted to rapid increases in costs pretty quickly compared to other agencies, and adjusted the cost of living allowance just as quickly.
Children are Never a good investment? Wow, what a statement! I must say I disagree--I was a fabulous investment for my parents--no, there was no financial return, however I am certainly a productive member of our society! Our children are our future! Someday the children we are raising will be running this state and this country. However parents choose to use the PFD and/or the Energy rebate, it WILL enrich the lives of thier children.
As to the comments I'm reading about the residency rules and need for this Energy Rebate--Each person who is receiving the Energy Rebate will have been here long enough to have experienced the tremendous rise in Energy and Fuel prices that have taken place over the last few years. Three years ago--according to my recollection, Fuel was 1/2 the price that it is now, and our Electricity cost was 1/3 lower. We have been fortunate enough to weather the rise in costs, and have made the necessary sacrifices in order to continue to live here. The Energy Rebate to us means that we will be able to get caught back up on some of the things that were overlooked, or put off waiting until there was a little more money to cover it. For others, it will mean having the ability to stay in this wonderful state for another winter without freezing or starving to death.
And now...
Zobel II, The Sequel.
Really, the amount is insulting when one considers the amount of the windfall from our resources, plus a way-too-huge state budget anyway.
As far as the one time deal, I think we should demand something like the borough tax cap on a state level (only for spending and budget growth purposes), and, as most shareholders do, share in the profits when there are profits.
aksunshine
yes the cost of fuel and other items does bother me. Does it make me whine to the government for help? NO. Take a basic high school government class and you may be able to understand that no where in any constitution federal or state, does it say that the government has to baby us. I am just saying that the residents of Alaska should look at the fact that they chose to live where they did and no one is making them stay there. They live there knowing that things are just going to cost more there. That said yes I totally disagree with the residents than demanding that the state give them money. Oil and gas prices will not always stay the way they are and you have a finite supply, things will run out, as they already are. What happens than, after the residents of the state have become accustom to having so many government run programs? And I do not include the PFD in this, that was the one smart move the state made durning the pipeline boom. The money for this rebate is coming from the general funds of the state. Money that at some point in the future will be needed for road maintanence or to pay for the endless social programs the state has. I am just saying you all know that it costs for to live there, stop whining about it now. Deal or move. A big part of the reason I left was the fact that the old timers are dying and the new residednts both those born there and that move there, want everrything handed to them. What ever happened to the frontier spirit that prevailed for years in the state. I once knew an old timer, who has no since passed, that lived in a cabin with no water, no electricity and wood heat. I asked him why he stayed all those years when he could have left and lived comfortably down south. He said he stayed for a love of Alaska. He didn't take handouts. He made do because he was where he wanted to be. It seems that the current residents want to live there as long as the government will help them live there.
Scotty, you must not have had much experience in the military. The only thing the military ever reacted to in a timely manner is if they are paying more than they had to. They'll lower COLA at the drop of a hat, but it seems to take weeks or months to raise it.
They do pay housing allowances, but the initiative they started to cover 100% of housing cost has still not caught up to reality. Some military families still qualify for foodstamps and WiC.
I'm not sure where you are getting your information from, but it seems VERY outdated and completely wrong.
So, if AlaskaLady "chooses" to take candy from babies "it WILL enrich [their] lives". OK...let's just keep making louder and shriller statements and eventually people will ignore your own immoral actions and you can ignore your own guilt.
Ohhh come on, you've haven't even gone through a winter and you want a part of the permanent fund because you've lived here 4 months? I've lived here in the Fairbanks area for 15years and have gone through -55F winters and sweltering 95F summers. How many $1000 fuel oil bills have you paid? I've paid many tens of thousands of dollars in fuel oils bill over the last few years.... and you want $1200 for living here for 4 months?
Get real, suck in that pouting lip, and hunker down for winter. I have a feeling you won't be here for another year if this is how much you feel cheated by the state over this resource rebate.
Grow up!
Corrinne, You and I see this exactly the same. For one, I was reading the comments and kept thinking over and over about the Zobels and how they queered Jay Hammonds plan for distribution of the first dividend. Now, it would not surprise me to see this happen again before the winter is over. Secondly, seeing how this is a RESOURCE REBATE, you are correct, it is tiny. We should hold the state to making sure this extra money goes directly to the APF. It absolutely should not be used to just fund "special projects" unless they are voted on by Alaskans. There are some projects that I would support wholeheartedly, but they need to be debated and voted on.
brassmonkey- I have 1 child, I use that PFD to support our family. As in all of our PFD's go into 1 account, We all get $50 of it to do with what we want. The rest goes to pay for house repairs, eye exams, dental exams, ect.... There is NOTHING wrong with a child contributing to the family, I show my child that it important to take care of home. My child is very aware of where their money is and what it is being spent on. I find it very rude of you to make statements like that. I know you think you can say what ever you please but to insult people that are trying to do right by their family and to make them feel like a theif or a bad parent is wrong! No not all parents do the right thing but don't lump us all together!
After taking in a bit of this discussion, I am still waiting to hear the words "There [S]hall be a permanent Fund, and a Dividend Program set in place to [O]ffset the [H]igher cost of living for
[F]uture [G]enerations of [A]laskans". This wording (yes thats what it said in the original E.O.)(Executive Order), and the requirements thereto attatched tell me that this is by definition an [E]ntitlement Check, to which you must meet certain criteria to meet Eligibilit