Alaska began dispersing its annual dividend payments from the $83 billion oil wealth fund, allocating $1,000 per resident—the lowest payout since 2020. Lawmakers have moved away from a market-based formula toward politically determined amounts due to budget needs. The dividend supplements resident expenses in a state with high costs for essentials. While the fund’s principal is constitutionally protected, earnings contribute to the dividend and state budget, requiring lawmakers to balance competing funding priorities including education.