April 4, 2005: Headlines: Benefits: Fund Dividend: Anchorage Daily News: Alaska House approves dividends for Peace Corps volunteers
Peace Corps Online:
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Alaska:
February 8, 2005: Index: PCOL Exclusive: Alaska :
March 4, 2005: Headlines: Benefits: Fund Dividend: Local RPCV Groups: Anchorage Daily News: Carolyn Gray, of Northern Alaska Peace Corps Friends in Fairbanks told legislators it's been harder to recruit Alaskans for overseas work since the Legislature seven years ago kicked volunteers off the list of allowable absences for the Permanent Fund dividend :
April 4, 2005: Headlines: Benefits: Fund Dividend: Anchorage Daily News: Alaska House approves dividends for Peace Corps volunteers
Alaska House approves dividends for Peace Corps volunteers
Alaska House approves dividends for Peace Corps volunteers
House approves dividends for Peace Corps volunteers
PERMANENT FUND: Check would also go to Alaskans in Olympics.
By MATT VOLZ
The Associated Press
Published: April 4th, 2005
Last Modified: April 4th, 2005 at 03:19 PM
JUNEAU -- The House on Friday approved a measure allowing Peace Corps volunteers and Olympic athletes to receive Alaska Permanent Fund dividends.
[Excerpt]
The Legislature in 1998 declared Peace Corps volunteers ineligible to receive dividend checks. This is the third time Rep. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, has tried to reinstate that eligibility.
The bill also would allow the Department of Revenue to issue administrative orders for sanctions against people who lie about their dividend eligibility. McGuire said the measure would help the department crack down on fraud, with punishments that include a loss of dividend and a fine of up to $3,000.
Alaska members of the United States Olympic team who train outside the state for extended periods of time were added to the bill in an amendment by Rep. Eric Croft, D-Anchorage.
House members rejected other amendments to include Alaskans serving in the United States Foreign Service and the United States Antarctic Program.
"I do take seriously the concerns that folks have about opening up the floodgates," McGuire said.
She said about 85 percent of Alaska's Peace Corps volunteers return to the state.
Peace Corps volunteers serve two-year terms in assigned countries as teachers or assist in economic development programs. There are now more than 40 Alaskans who are in the Peace Corps, McGuire has said.
"We want Alaskans to go Outside, to grow, to learn, to have experiences that benefit them, that benefit our country, that they then bring back and share with us. That's not something we want to discourage," McGuire said.
Like military personnel who are eligible for dividends, Peace Corps volunteers serve their country and are often put in harm's way, she said.
The bill passed 37-0 and next goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Story Source: Anchorage Daily News
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Benefits; Fund Dividend
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