I lived in Juneau for 20 years, and during that time my best friend besides my wife was Hugh Malone. He is considered one of the key persons who helped make the PFD possible as Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives when the bill was passed.
Hugh and I had many discussions about the Permanent Fund before he died suddenly in March of 2001. He STILL wasn't sure it was a good thing...
Also, an interesting idea he had about elected officials: He proposed that they should be chosen the way we choose juriors; one day you get a letter in the mail informing you that on a date certain you are to show up at the capital and serve as a representative from the district where you live. House member, Senator--you were chosen by lot and given notice that you would be serving, and had 120 days to do the people's work. What do you think about that?????
Now THAT is an interesting idea. Then again, I have seen some of the potential "jurors" so....hmmmmmmm.....LOL
As for Hugh Malone...you mentioned that he still wasn't sure the PF was a good thing. I wonder why? I can't see any harm to it at all. Seems to me that if the PF was given back to our state government (or gasp, FEDs), it would likely be spent like a credit card thief on a holiday. I prefer that it is doled out to your every-day Alaskan if for nothing else than a testament to the fact that sometimes, just sometimes, the citizens do have some control over state and federal government. LOL