The Latest: Demonstrators seek ‘full’ Alaska dividend check

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Latest on the Alaska Legislature preparing for a second special session (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

About 50 people holding signs demonstrated Monday along a Wasilla highway in favor of a “fully funded” Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend.

Alaska lawmakers were scheduled later Monday to meet in a special session. One topic will be the size of the 2019 payout from the permanent fund, which was begun with oil money and enhanced over decades with investment earnings.

Katherine Hayes waived a sign that read, “Don’t Steal My PFD.”

She says legislators should follow a formula set in state law for the size of the checks sent annually to most Alaskans.

Lawmakers for the past three have authorized smaller checks and used permanent fund earnings to help pay government expenses.

Demonstrator Laura Jones says she wants to get rid of the “crooks” in Juneau.

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8:30 a.m.

The Alaska Legislature is scheduled to begin a special session later Monday, but divided lawmakers cannot agree on the location. So, it appears they will go to different cities.

The main issue for the session is to determine the amount of this year’s oil wealth check. Gov. Mike Dunleavy favors a full payout, about $3,000 per person, but some lawmakers prefer smaller checks as the state deals with a budget deficit.

Lawmakers couldn’t decide the payout amount in five months of work in Juneau. Dunleavy called lawmakers into a second special session, in Wasilla.

However, a majority of lawmakers say they will convene Monday in Juneau while a smaller group say they are going to Wasilla.

Once the session starts, lawmakers also have five days to override Dunleavy’s budget vetoes.