Alaskans Cash In On Annual Dividend

State Residents To Get Record $3,269 In Oil Royalties And Payouts To Offset Fuel Prices

(AP)  It's the season for Alaskans to be rewarded just for living here and this year's take is extra sweet: $3,269, a record share of the state's oil wealth combined with a special cash payout to help with stratospheric energy prices.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell announced Friday that every eligible man, woman and child will receive $2,069, thanks to this year's annual payment from the state's oil royalty program. On top of that, the checks will include an additional $1,200 from the state treasury to help offset soaring fuel prices.

The one-time energy boost was proposed by Gov. Sarah Palin in May and approved by state lawmakers last month. Palin has since been tapped as the running mate of Republican presidential nominee John McCain. It fell to Parnell to make Friday's announcement on the dividend because Palin is out of state.

"The royalty dollars that flow through the state are the people's wealth," said Parnell. "The $1,200 resource rebate goes to that philosophy."

In addition to the $1,200 payments, the Legislature also approved Palin's proposal to suspend the state's 8-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax for a year.

Past dividend payments ranged from $331 to $1,963 in 2000. Last year's payout was $1,654. People must live in Alaska one calendar year to qualify. For residents in Alaska's rural communities, the money can't arrive at a more crucial time.

"When it gets real cold in winter, it can take five gallons of fuel for heating overnight," said Wanda Sue Page, who lives in the Arctic village of Noatak, where residents pay more than $9 a gallon for gasoline and nearly $10 a gallon for heating oil.

"I'm going to fill my 52-gallon tank up to the top and put the heat up real high," Page said. "And when it gets empty, I'm going to fill it again."

In all, 610,768 people are receiving the dividend this year. The state's estimated population is just under 680,000.

The fund was established in 1976 after North Slope oil was discovered. Including the upcoming dividends, the fund has yielded $16.5 billion to Alaskans since the first payout of $1,000 in 1982, according to the state Revenue Department.

That's not counting this year's extra energy relief money, which alone totals $730 million.

Sam Shields, who lives in the Kuskokwim River town of Bethel, said the state money is desperately needed in his community, where he recently saw a whole chicken selling for $23 at the local grocery store.

"Everyone around here was happy to hear how much we're getting," he said. "Mainly everybody here is saying they're going to use it on fuel."

[guy_in_sb]

Please add this:

This large surplus this year exists because Palin passed a tax increase on oil that drove the state''s take from $4 billion per year to $10 billion per year. The marginal tax rate increases with the price of oil, and was recently over 75% when oil hit $140 per barrel.

[caldwellptr]

"People must live in Alaska one calendar year to qualify."
This is not true. You must prove you not only have lived there one calendar year but also that you intend to live there in the coming year(s).

[gce65]

No wonder Palin is so popular in Alaska currently. The higher oil prices go and the more the rest of America suffers because of it, the more Alaskans profit.

Keep in mind the oil Alaska produces doesn''t come to America and help the supply; it gets sold on the world oil market.

[ioweign]

So Alaska and Venezuela have a lot in common, both leaders look alike...

[whitemale08]

that''s a good point, and Obama needs to hammer that over and over and over again.

because what Republicans want to do is turn us into a 3rd world country like Mexico who the majority of its people do not share the oil wealth because the majority of it is exported to the "world oil markets".

That''s the real agenda of Republicans; to destroy the "middle-class" and turn us all into serfs so we can live and squaller and be ridiculed by the "lucky few" for not "pulling yourself up by your own boot-straps" when you don''t even have any boots!

[gce65]

Even if Alaskans do get $3K each it''s certainly not likely to go far.
I''d be chopping wood all summer, driving and using as little gasoline as possible, hunting moose and caribou and deer, stockpiling as much salmon as possible and hunkering down for long, cold winter.
You people need a few more nuclear power plants!

[nphipps2]

what about a bunch of uneducated people.... it has nothing to do with the current price of oil. It has everything to do with oil prices averages over a 5 year period and then invested on the stock market and a percentage is returned to residents... it has nothing to do with Palin. It began over 20 years ago.

[whitemale08]

what about a bunch of uneducated people.... it has nothing to do with the current price of oil. It has everything to do with oil prices averages over a 5 year period and then invested on the stock market and a percentage is returned to residents... it has nothing to do with Palin. It began over 20 years ago.


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Posted by nphipps2 at 08:27 PM : Sep 05, 2008--

You right about that,

The formula that''s used by Republicans to take credit for things people like would make Obama the hero of the civil rights bill since he was born around the same year!

[momof2or]

Palin is bought off by the oil companies, just like Bush 1 & 2, Cheney..most of the republican party. The choice of Palin shows a lack of judgement and maturity on McCains part. Not what we need in the white house.

[pvperson]

Guy_In_SB, who do you think PAYS for that Alaskan stipend? We do, at the gas pump. Do you really think Exxon or BP or whoever just accepts higher costs, no they pad them into higher gas prices PLUS a little more for the trouble. Did you miss that Exxon declared a record profit for the, what 5th time in a row?

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm...

I wonder how much of this annual money seeps into the lower 48 states.

You know, where relatives in Alaska are willing to state that Pat or Cliff, (who actually live in Seattle or Detroit or Los Angeles), live in Sleetmute or some other place in Alaska.

For some, that would be worth a trip home to Alaska each year, to get that annual payment for each member of the family...

Gee, that might be like getting a paid vacation.

Of course, that would be outright fraud; but, would that be illegal and would it be prosecuted?

I certainly hope there are measures to guard against things like that from happening.

[martin9p2]

Sarah Putin shares a philosophy with George W -- try to bankrupt the treasury in order to be politcially popular. That''s EXACTLY what we don''t need in Washington, EXACTLY the kind of *** that has bankrupted the federal government both financially and morally.

[jmurrieta1]

Strange how my comment that Alaska was about the biggest welfare recipient in the USA, and that all Palin want is more payoffs from the oil company,
was removed by CBS.

[nphipps2]

fraud and prosecution happen all the time and people are busted. this is a very long formula for how this calculated and it has been paid to us Alaskans on our resources for over 20 years. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with Palin. Many a legislator has tried to tap into the fund but that is why it is called the "PERMANENT FUND" and was created so long ago. Most of the money comes from the INVESTMENTS of the Fund -- stock market, etc.

[jmurrieta1]

"Unemployment Rate Hits 5-Year High
Reaches 6.1 Percent In August; Employers Slash 84,000 Jobs, Labor Department Reports"


So move to Alaska folks! They get nice fat payouts from the oil companies (read citizens who buy gas) and the U.S. taxpayer up there!

I''m sure those loyal Americans in Alaska will be glad to share!

[ubrew12]

Palin''s state gets MORE MONEY from the Federal Government (per tax dollar they send back), than ANY STATE IN THE NATION.

Palin''s state gets FIVE TIMES the amount given to Blue States California or New Jersey. In fact, ALL the Red States are this way. They typically take MORE from the Federal Government than they GIVE by way of taxes, while the BLUE states typically get LESS from the Federal gov''t than they give in taxes.

Makes you wonder... who the REAL welfare queens of America are..

[dashortround]

ABOUT SARAH PALIN:

http://webpages.charter.net/suasponte/


If you really want to know Sarah Palin''s history (in detail) this is a "must read". It was written by Anne Kilkenny, another resident of Wasilla, Alaska.

[rhs648]

This is a geat illustration for understanding some of the philosophical differences between the Republican Party and the Democrat Party. Republicans feel that citizens should decide what to do with their money and Democrats feel that government should receive the money. A poster mentioned that some Alaskan legislators have tried unsuccessfully to tap into the Alaska Oil Fund. If you were expecting a check each year from the Alaskan Oil Fund, what would you prefer?

[rhs648]

Palin is bought off by the oil companies, just like Bush 1 & 2, Cheney..most of the republican party. The choice of Palin shows a lack of judgement and maturity on McCains part. Not what we need in the white house.

Posted by momof2or at 08:52 PM

Sounds good but can you provide any proof of your accusations. I could accuse you of being a criminal but is meaningless without evidence.

[ronaldr5-2009]

Tell it like it is! dmw1167 at 10:57 PM : Sep 05, 2008

Great come-back! I''m with you!!

[kansas1946]

The royalty dollars that flow through the state are the people''s wealth," said Parnell. "The $1,200 resource rebate goes to that philosophy."

***************************

Well, isn''t that nice. I guess Alaska really isn''t part of the United States. I imagine it was Alaskan money, no federal money, that paid for that pipline. Do the people in Texas all get a royalty check for Texas oil? How about Louisianna? Since all of that oil belongs to the "people" I guess they don''t mean Americans, they mean Alaskans. Maybe Sarah Palin and her husband are right. Alaska should succeed. Then she could be queen instead of governour.

[erichsh]

It''s amazing - the same moonbats hurling insults at Palin for providing oil-funded money to citizens are out there singing Obama/Hillary''s praises for wanting to confiscate oil company profits on an even larger scale for basically the same purpose.

[rhs648]

Well, isn''''t that nice. I guess Alaska really isn''''t part of the United States. I imagine it was Alaskan money, no federal money, that paid for that pipline. Do the people in Texas all get a royalty check for Texas oil? How about Louisianna? Since all of that oil belongs to the "people" I guess they don''''t mean Americans, they mean Alaskans. Maybe Sarah Palin and her husband are right. Alaska should succeed. Then she could be queen instead of governour.

Posted by kansas1946

Whoever thought of the Alaska Oil Fund should get a nobel award. The oil reserves are in Alaska. Why shouldn''t Alaskan citizens receive income for the oil reserves. Someday, this very valuable resource may be depleted. Why didn''t other states such as TX and LA do the same thing? More power to the Alaskan State Government for doing something for every citizen of Alaska.

[shanev137]

Hilarious. Alaska has the most oil of any state in the union and they are paying $9 for gas.

Geeee....what''s wrong with this picture.

[stupidrules3]

It would be nice if they would use that money to pay for the projects that are currently being paid for by earmarks from their corrupt senators.

[omega39-2009]

Hilarious. Alaska has the most oil of any state in the union and they are paying $9 for gas.

Geeee....what''''s wrong with this picture.

Posted by shanev137


I had the same thoughts. Perhaps the world oil markets are a little more complicated than a bumper sticker energy policy embraced by McCain.

[mr2258]

LAWSUIT AGAINST OBAMA HAS BEEN SERVED---Time to clear the playing field.

[sleepyric]

ha...the more I read about the state of Alaska, and read the comments here from people from Alaska, I have become a big fan of the secessionist movement! More power to ya...make your move. I can live with 49 states again...we''ll just bring in Puerto Rico as a state to replace you. Go cook some moose spahetti or somethun...

[rwassel]

zgomer - watch your use of the word liberal...

McCain and Palin: Running on the Reform Platform

liberal: favorable to progress or REFORM, as in political or religious affairs.

How does it feel to know that your party is running on a liberal ideal? That''s kinda gotta suck for you...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[lordmi]

So, we all are paying to Alaska, filling tank with 4 dollars gas?

How nice.

I always thought - we should earn for spending, but not getting gifts from the Government for just sitting on a chair, located next to oil field.

[caldwellptr]

Gov. Palin and Dude Todd plus 5 children times $3269.00 = $22,883.00.

[lordmi]

I live next to Disney. I even work for Disney purpose.
Should I pretend to get a piece from Disney profit?

Should Boeing neighbors pretend on it''s profit either?
And so on?

[lordmi]

to BARRYLIES and other idiots Washington times page, You are refering people is freken.( I mean this one - http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/28/lawsuit-questions-obamas-eligibility-for-office/).
It is one freken page-template just with whatever however wanted to say.
Try any link there on the top and You will see it.
Also, it has been done in rush, so has nothing to do with Washington Times new weekly edition , real media source, which is here - http://www.americasnewspaper.com/ME2/Default.asp

So, guys, what is freak, that is false.
One should be complete Idiot to follow that.
Congrats, Idiots of McWar%PitBull

[caldwellptr]

Dear Darkmeat4 and Alaska, welcome to the National Spotlight.

[lordmi]

Great. For this money each of them can purchase 229 gal paying their $9.00 price.
But if they pay just 4 as we do - it is equal 517 gal, more than twice.
So Alaskan''s are fooled in twice
Great, Pit Bull.Very communistic: take and split, no matter what would be in future in this desert with killed animals, empted resources.

[lordmi]

to mr2258- idiot, you were reading freaking web gage for idiots

[lordmi]

to rwassel - where is a platform?
and also where are reforms?

[lewiston14]

Gee and all we got was a lousy $300 and no tee shirt. I think useable fuel is expensive up there because they do not have any refineries so shipping is a huge expense. Then enter the old fashion top hat smug heaters that will burn off of everyday crude oil. Add a blower into the burning chamber and it becomes a lot cleaner and a lot cheaper. Don%u2019t be jealous USA you got your $300 and their still printing out money to cover it. OBTW they have jobs to up there to if you don%u2019t mind the cold. Ill take Alaska over Florida or NOLA any day And they don%u2019t have many if any of the %u201COther people%u201D You know the ones that are dragging you down and really making your gas $9.00 a gallon also. It just looks different on paper

[jmurrieta1]

"All the federal money is for projects for YOU! Not Alaskans.


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Posted by darkmeat4



Oh yeah! I always wanted to take a bridge to nowhere! the bridge that Palin supported before she opposed it, when she stabbed her mentors in the back.

I sure hope McCain has a knife-proof vest to wear.

[lewiston14]

Funny I just went to the store here in NY and saw $15 to $20 roasters. If these rancher guys think they are going to get that much for something that cooks down to 50 percent grease they are in the wrong business.

[lewiston14]

You need something more then harsh words to survive in washington.

Yea right $20 for a stupid chicken good luck. did not happen here today. Remember russia just stopped importing 100s of millions of pounds of chickens. You would think perdue would be giving them away. Feed the chickens let them die of get out of business. I thik we will be importing 100s of millions of chickens in a month or two

[karenbe111]

No wonder she screams "drill baby drill" and everyone in Alaska will vote for her! Good thing for the rest of us their numbers are so small and the Republicans will not get another four years to rip the rest of us off!!!

[lewiston14]

Nancy for 50 percent and 50 percent against ( the congerss im worried about) We are looking at 4 more years of the same old things if you buddy Bush LOL dont gets us blown up in the next few monthes

[lewiston14]

Nancy: This country does not have a clue where its heading.

[hereticzero-2009]

Think Alaskans get a free ride or something? They live with some of the highest prices in the nation and deserve their yearly dividend. You have to live in Alaska for a couple of years to qualify. If other states such as Wyoming that have such an abundance of natural resources should follow Alaska''s lead and provide dividends for its citizens as well. Go AK!

[clovisbuford]

And they don%u2019t have many if any of the %u201COther people%u201D You know the ones that are dragging you down and really making your gas $9.00 a gallon also. It just looks different on paper Posted by lewiston14 at 12:31 PM : Sep 06, 2008
is eagerly awaiting a clarification of this remark since Iam confused as to who"other people" are " I wait with anticipation.

[clovisbuford]

Think Alaskans get a free ride or something? They live with some of the highest prices in the nation and deserve their yearly dividend. You have to live in Alaska for a couple of years to qualify. If other states such as Wyoming that have such an abundance of natural resources should follow Alaska''''s lead and provide dividends for its citizens as well. Go AK!
Posted by hereticzero at 09:06 PM : Sep 06, 2008
Alaskand gee4t more per capita in federal funding than any other state , over 7,000 $ per citizen .. talk about on the government trough .

[ioweign]

Think Alaskans get a free ride or something? They live with some of the highest prices in the nation and deserve their yearly dividend. You have to live in Alaska for a couple of years to qualify. If other states such as Wyoming that have such an abundance of natural resources should follow Alaska''''s lead and provide dividends for its citizens as well. Go AK!

Posted by hereticzero at 09:06 PM : Sep 06, 2008


Sounds like the American version of Venezuela...

[lewiston14]

clovisbuford: I think you about a dozen people that did not catch my drift so let them spell it out for you. So like a dogs dish keep waiting in anticipation. You figure it out.

[tootall10142]

If george wallace had been anything buy a racist sob we in arkansas and oklahoma would be collecting timber money.well now we just collect casino money and sell our trinkets to the whiteman that comes to gawk at our ceremonies ,funny isnt it the last six words in ceremonies is monies