LETTER: PFD needs to remain in Alaska

To the editor:

I call attention to a serious problem facing our community the PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend). Ever since the announcement of withdrawing the PFD, restoring it for the State budgets is unacceptable. Why is it unacceptable? Well PFD has financial aided hundreds of people in Alaska.

Obviously, hundreds of families are panicking because of the withdraw of PFD. By closing down the program, not only would it support the budget but bring disaster to families. In fact, there are still many homeless people living out on streets. Besides that, the PFD was in Alaska since 1976 by the 9th Article of the Alaska Constitution. It was an investment where at least 25% of oil money would be given to future generations. It was to help manage the state economy and improve the lives of families in Alaska.

Additionally, during the past 40 years graduated students take advantage of the PFD to help pay for college funds. Students are struggling to afford classes that could make a difference in their lives and the only hopes for them is PFD. Indeed, people can’t go on without money and the only option is finding a job but not everyone could get one. Job finding is very little in Alaska and even if a person could find one they would be paid very little amount. For this reason, PFD should remain in Alaska and support our future generation educations.

Furthermore, people have their own life struggles with money and this is affecting poor families more than it does to well off families such as I. I am child of 12 in my family and I am working to support not just my life but my family. The PFD has helped us in many ways such as food, clothes, and school supplies and now it being taken away not just my family but other families and those who work at the age of 17 to support a huge family.

In conclusion, PFD should remain in Alaska not just for my own benefit but for every people that n! eed PFD to support their family needs, education, and our future generations.

— Soneeta Vue

Wasilla