The PFD needs a permanent fix this year Author: Tim Benintendi Published February 5 Share on Facebook Print article Effective democracy depends upon citizen engagement — and that, presumably, upon an informed citizenry. I would extend that notion to a citizenry with at least a modest grasp of governmental budgets, the major pillar of governance. Now that the Legislature is in session and we focus on state finances, we should perhaps be mindful of a few notions affecting the budget, the Permanent Fund, and the dividend. Our governor and too many legislators persist in pushing for an approximate $5,000 PFD again this year, against all logic, fiscal responsibility and common financial sense. This comes in the context of a stunningly imbalanced budget. They apparently care nothing about protecting our state’s most significant investment asset, the Permanent Fund.