"House Speaker Louise Stutes"

House Speaker Stutes said she plans to resume work on the state budget on Monday, in the hope that the peak in cases would have crested by then.

House majority members say describing the entire $2,550 payment as a dividend would set expectations that PFDs would be that size every year. 

A House bill would limit individual contributions to candidates to $2,000 over two years. 

House Speaker Louise Stutes said in a statement that contact tracing was ongoing.

Some of the leaders want to see the Legislature pass a long-term plan for the state’s finances and permanent fund dividends. But they acknowledge there are significant obstacles in both the short and long term.

Last year’s session was marked by differences over COVID safety rules and disagreements that nearly led to a partial state government shutdown.

In an announcement posted on social media on Monday, Kurka criticized Dunleavy’s health mandates issued early in the pandemic. 

At the end of the third special session, the Senate Finance Committee put forward a major bill. It would balance the state budget and by 2025 would allow permanent fund dividends at the level proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. But it would require $700 million in taxes for the higher PFDs to happen.

Dunleavy says he won’t veto it, but wants a higher amount and calls for fourth special session

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday aimed at funding permanent fund dividends at $1,100. But the final amount isn’t clear.