text: To be fair to Mr. Jenkins the Alaska State Constitution reads: "All income from the permanent fund shall be deposited in the general fund unless otherwise provided by law. [Amended 1976]. The clause "unless otherwise provided by law" was the amendment that allowed for the Statute that sets up the 50% payout from the Permanent Fund Earnings.  The other 50% of the Earnings has not been used to date to pay for government expenses.  So how can anyone argue that the Governor had to take half the dividend to pay for State expenses when they haven't been using half the funds that were already available ?  No, the People's half is not enshrined in the Constitution, but in the AK Constitution it does say that the Resources of this State shall be used for the Maximum Benefit of the People. (paraphrased)  This is the mandate that is fulfilled in the Permanent Fund Dividend.  And, no, it doesn't say that the Dividend can't be touched without a vote of the People, but if We the People are sharehold