If I remember correctly, back when the Permanent Fund was created, it was intended to be “for the state, for a rainy day.” The intent and purpose of it was, first and foremost, to put money away for state use when and if it was needed. The dividend was literally an afterthought to help people buy into the concept. There was even a bit of a fair-and-reasonable dividend for existing Alaskans, recognizing their contributions to Alaska thus far.