Prior to the late 70's legislative approval for the dividend program (which was later found to be unconstitutional by the Alaska Supreme Court), the Legislature repealed the income tax because otherwise the dividend would have been unconstitutional. Up to $150 million/yr  of the annual dividend has gone to the IRS. Last year it was about $70 million. Our economy will unavoidably contract in the next few years. The Dividend cannot survive..it is an inappropriate means to over-stimulate our economy.

The social service budget needs need to be negotiated as part of the Left/Right deal on the use of the savings by not paying out the dividend.