IT'S GETTING "LEGS"

You may have read the article in the Anchorage Daily news about my proposal for a gas pipeline dividend in the happy event that the pipeline finally becomes operational.

I think it's appropriate that a dividend program, similar to the Permanent Fund, be set up if and when the gas starts flowing to market. There are many obstacles to overcome, but I'm optimistic they'll be resolved.

Alaska is an "Owner State." The oil and gas belongs to every Alaskan man, woman, and child - so I think it's appropriate that an appropriate dividend to Alaskans be devised. It could be a dividend to individuals, a comunity dividend, a special fund for schools, or some combination thereof.

I don't care if it's a separate dividend check, or combined with the current PFD check. That's not the point. The point is, Mr. and Mrs. Alaska need to have some direct share of the wealth.

Some naysayers opine that my proposal is somehow "premature." Not so, say I. It's never too premature to plan. If and when we get money from a gas pipeline, we need to make plans on how to invest it prudently.

Since the article appeared as a headline in the paper, I've been invited to discuss the proposal on Channel 11 TV, on the Mike Porcaro Radio Show (KENI 650), and the Dan Fagan Radio SDjow (KFQD 750). As the saying goes, the proposal has "Legs"!