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: A Public Defender's Life in Alaska

So, get this. The State of Alaska has decided to give out another $1200 to every man, woman and child in Alaska to help with the high cost of energy. Well, that is almost true. The Senate, at the last moment, attached this 'help' to the Permanent Fund Dividend ("PFD"). So most people in Alaska will be getting $3200 or more this fall. Each. That is almost $2 billion dollars dumped into an economy of 675,000 people. At once. Fine. Here is my problem: once again, my family is not eligible. I can live without the money for myself and J. I can understand the argument regarding non-citizens not getting the PFD. But what pisses me off is that my kids don't get it. Kadee is a US citizen and has lived in Alaska almost her whole life. Alyssa was born in Alaska and has lived here her whole life. But, screw 'em. Their parents are not citizens so they don't get it. There is a big difference between the PFD (which is designed to help settle Alaska) and the government helping citizens with the incredibly high cost of energy here. It seems like pretty basic Equal Protection analysis to me. Not sure if I'm going to sue yet. Not sure it is worth the grief. But many Alaskans, including those who need the help the most, will not get the check because it is attached to the PFD. Many who don't need it will spend it on ATV's and beer. Which I don't have a problem with. What I do care about is the way the government has chosen to hand out this money. I know one family who will get $16,000. My family will get $0. But for our citizenship, we would get almost $13,000. Today, I am no fan of Alaska. At all. There are many others who will not get this help. I can only hope that a lawsuit ensues.

Full post as published by A Public Defender's Life in Alaska on August 12, 2008 (boomark / email).