I’m not sure if that’s fair in this case. I wonder how many low income people in Alaska depend on that dividend? (I literally don’t know enough about the economics and politics of Alaska to say.)
The dividend is extremely popular and helpful among low income earners in Alaska.
> Asked how much of a difference the PFD has made in their lives “over the past five years or so,” 40% replied that the dividends have made a “great deal” or “quite a bit” of difference, with 28% replying that the dividends have made “only some” or “just a little” difference, and only 8% saying that the dividends have made no difference.
> Women were more likely than men to say that the PFD has made “great deal” or “quite a bit” of difference (47% versus 33%), and 70% of those who described their economic circumstances as “barely surviving” stated that the PFD had this degree of impact.
That may be. I'm also pretty ignorant about Alaska's economy and how that dividend impacts low income communities. It just seems petty to yank this money from students at the last minute like this...and, also bad for the future of Alaska. Getting and keeping talent in a state that is dark and frozen for months out of the year is a tough sell. It also seems like it is a more progressive use of money than a universal payment, since it will tend to move money from higher income taxpayers to lower income students so those students are less likely to be saddled with overhwelming debt when they finish school.
One thing I do know about the dividend is that it fluctuates wildly. I don't remember the details of why or what math is used to calculate it, but it can be as low as a few hundred dollars or as high as a few thousand dollars. If people are relying on it (as I'm sure some do), that's kind of a capricious randomness, as well.
I'm a bit torn since in this case of specific details, it's clearly wrong to take scholarships away from bright students.
On the other hand, only 33% of Americans graduate with a 4 year college degree, far more get a GED and work retail or trades. If we're talking about how to help the average american, trade schools or other income support (like a bigger dividend) would be more beneficial to these groups.
