Commentary: Walker, Legislature cut dividends, the responsible thing to do

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is right. The Legislature and governor the past three years appropriated money for individual Permanent Fund dividends contrary to the 1982 formula in state statute.

So what?

They did it for good reason. They did their job.

The Legislature voted to pass a responsible budget based on Alaska's fiscal reality, balancing the needs and wants of individuals vs. the needs and services of the entire state.

Despite what the new governor promised voters last fall, communities do not live by dividends alone.

Legislators this year again are confronting that decision, again working to fi...