Economist: Permanent Fund Earnings an Option to Ease State's Budget Crisis

KUAC | By Dan Bross

Published April 29, 2015 at 12:55 PM AKDT

Permanent Fund earnings are one of the few means of paying for state government if oil prices remain depressed. There’s $7 billion in the Permanent Fund earnings reserve account, money left over after paying annual dividends and inflation proofing the fund. Tapping any money related to the Permanent Fund is highly controversial, but as KUAC’s Dan Bross reports a longtime Alaska economist says it’s time to take a serious look at using fund earnings to get through tough financial times brought on by low oil prices.

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Dan Bross

Dan has been in public radio news in Alaska since 1993. He’s worked as a reporter, newscaster and talk show host at stations in McGrath, Valdez and Fairbanks. Dan’s experience includes coverage of a wide range of topics, from wolf control to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and dog mushing.

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