Alaska Senate votes down full oil-wealth fund payout [View all]

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Senate on Tuesday narrowly voted down a full dividend payout from the state's oil-wealth fund this year, with a prominent supporter of the proposal absent.

The 10-8 vote came after the Senate, by the same tally, adopted an amendment calling for a full payout with checks to qualified residents estimated to be around $3,000. The initial bill proposed $1,600 checks.

At least 11 votes were needed for the bill to pass.

Sen. Mike Shower, a Wasilla Republican who has supported a full payout, posted on Facebook Saturday that he would not be in Juneau because of his work. Shower, a pilot, said he had used up vacation and leave time as this year's sessions have dragged on. The Senate majority's communications director said Shower has an excusal for the rest of the special session.

Read more: https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Alaska-Senate-poised-to-debate-dividend-bill-13935477.php