House votes to adjourn until Monday, July 29. Wilson raises an objection saying that if there’s work to be done, the legislature should do it. “People are tired of us wasting their money,” she said.
Edgmon replies that the vote on Monday is crucial to the future of Alaska and it’s necessary to have all legislators possible present.
HB 2003 passes the House 22-12, the effective date clause passes as well, 27-7.
10:28 a.m.
Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, says that a PFD does not provide the funds that are necessary to support courts or programs for victims of domestic violence. He mentions that he has heard some constituents call the PFD “dirty money.”
Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, raises a point of order, taking offense at the notion that those who want their full PFD are accepting “dirty money,” and don’t care about their fellow Alaskans.
House takes a brief at ease.
10:19 a.m.
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, introduces HB 2003, the bill that allocates at $1,600 PFD on Friday, July 26, 2019. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, raises an objection and says it’s not about the $3,000, it’s about following the law. The legislature shouldn’t “pick a number out of the sky,” it should follow the law and if the law needs to be changed, change the law afterwards.
Wilson says that typically funds for the PFD have come from the earnings reserve account, and not the statutory budget reserve, so the argument that HB 2003 is staying within the five percent of market value is incorrect.
Rep. David Eastman, raises an objection saying that his constituents “haven’t asked for a whole heck of a lot,” this session, but the one thing they have asked for is a full statutory PFD.
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, introduces HB 2003, the bill that allocates at $1,600 PFD. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
HB 2003, the bill allocating a $1,600 PFD is read out across the floor for the third time, Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, introduces the bill.
House comes to order, 33 members present.
10:08m a.m.
The bells calling the legislature to session have been rung, and legislators are filing into the House chamber. The atmosphere seems more cordial and less tense than previous days.
9:58 a.m.
After a week of passing bills for state funding and a Permanent Fund Dividend, the legislature appears ready to send bill to the governor’s desk. In a press release Thursday, House Speaker Bryce Edgmon’s office said that the House would vote to rescind Monday’s action which failed to pass a bill by one vote.
That vote would allow the House to once again vote to send Senate Bill 2002 to the governor. That bill contains language that would reverse “the sweep” and provide money for a number of currently unfunded programs.
However, if the House does vote to rescind and SB 2002 fails again, that will have been the legislature’s last opportunity to pass that bill into law. Furthermore, Gov. Mike Dunleavy could veto that bill, potentially sending it back to the legislature. But with 30 votes in the House and the Senate having voted 19-0 on the bill, assuming no lawmakers change their votes, there would be enough votes for an override.
Contact reporter Peter Segall at 523-2228 or psegall@juneauempire.com
