Alaskans Receive Oil Dividend Checks Amid Debate Over State Funding Priorities
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Alaskans receive an annual oil dividend check, $1,312 this year, from the earnings of the state's oil fund. The checks help pay bills but some argue the funds should go to education and services instead.
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The dividend program was created in 1982 to distribute oil wealth to Alaskans. The average check is $1,200 but it was $3,284 last year when oil prices spiked.
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Lawmakers have struggled to balance dividing funds between dividends and state services amid budget deficits. There's no agreement on a formula, so the dividend amount varies each year.
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Some argue the funds should go to education, health care, and other services instead of dividends. But many Alaskans rely on the checks for basic needs.
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Resolving the annual debate over the size of the dividend check is difficult as many Alaskans depend on it, despite needs for education and other services.