The Permanent Fund Dividend and The Effects of Fuel Prices on Alaskans

   With the high prices of gas and the turmoil in the oil markets alaskans who depend greatly on fuel for life and work are concerned with why Alaskans who have the biggest oil field in the country, cannot use thier resources in some way to get a break from the retail fuel prices.  Many of the other oil-producing nations have seriously cheap gasoline along with other retail fuels.  Since our wholesale gas market isn't as competitive, we consume even more fuel per capital than most americans due to our harsh environment and the consumption of jet fuel.  Since Alaska pays no state tax or state income tax almost 90% of unrestricted revenue to Alaska state government comes from oil through taxes and royalties.  Alaskans receive annual dividend checks from our oil wealth savings account which we know as the Permanent Fund Dividend an Alaskan royalty.  Since our economic downturn has hit hard the funds value has dropped more than 33% since the fall of 2007.  The North Slope oil production continues to decline and will continue over the next decade as our oil reserves are depleted.  Would Alaskans be willing to trade their entire Dividend check if they didn't have to pay so much money every time they had to gas up their trucks, cars, boats, and homes.?  This would mean that the state which already owns their own resources would have the option to choose between taking the royalties and producers would pay cash to Alaskans for its share of oil or the state would take its own share and sell it off itself.

Zennetta Thomas