Governor Mike Dunleavy discussed an economic relief plan, in response to pressure on Alaskan residents in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a proposed $1300 PFD payout.
The first piece of his plan was to plea with the state Legislature to approve a $1306 supplemental Permanent Fund dividend check, claiming Alaskans are already owed this amount from last year’s PFD: “I call on the Legislature to immediately authorize the payment of the remaining $1306 from the 2019 PFD that is owed to every Alaskan. This will be the quickest way to get cash in the hands of all Alaskans so they can pay their rents, buy gas, and keep on with their daily lives. This can be done very quickly; we can get those PFDs out in April. Very fast.”
The governor also made an order that no evictions or mortgage foreclosures will take place for people who receive housing assistance for 60 days: “I’ll be signing an executive order protecting the 13,000 Alaskans who receive rental assistance through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. No evictions may be carried out against these individuals for at least 60 days under this order. Likewise, the Alaska Housing Financing Corporation is being directed to suspend foreclosures and evictions immediately. Loan servicers are authorized to grand forbearance to homeowners suffering financial hardships due to this shutdown.”
In addition, the Governor is working to help provide loans to small businesses that might be suffering: “I came to an understanding with Alaska’s lending community to provide small-business bridge loans to hurting businesses and their impacted employees. These loans will be obtainable at local lending institutions to ensure our business owners and Alaskan workers can withstand this economic crisis and continue to pay their employees while waiting for assistance from the Small Business Administration. Interest rates on these loans will match those given by the SBA.”
He ended by assuring Alaskans that their welfare is not lost on him: “Fellow Alaskans: I want you to know your government is here to protect your health, welfare, and safety.”