Alaska Senate Cuts Permanent Fund, Boosts Energy Relief

0:00It's April 23rd. This is Anchorage News today, AI-powered stories from your city. Alaska Senate Finance Committee just dropped a revised operating budget, slashing the permanent fund dividend to $1,000 per person down from the House's $1,500 to Dodger Deficit starting July 1st. They tossed in a possible $150 energy relief check alongside it, but only of current year revenues pan out, saving the state $300 million overall. Compared to the House Plan, meanwhile, they axed the $158 million one-time boost for K-12 schools, opting instead to tap up to $100 million. From surprise oil cash, if North Slow Crude stays above $91 a barrel through June. Budget-wiz Alexey Painter warn lawmakers about razor-thin margins after a current year surplus popped up, urging caution on spending every dime, especially with energy rebates pulling from that pot. The admins still sorting the details.

1:00This trimmed $450 million from state spending leaves a projected $50 million surplus next year at $73 per barrel oil, assuming capital projects hit $360 million. Now it has to the full Senate for tweaks.