High oil prices and the attendant revenue certainly contributed to much additional spending.   However, the addition of over 100,000 citizens (many of them school age children) as well as a doubling of the population over 62 was an equal factor in driving spending.   Education and DHSS are the two most expensive costs of State government.   They are directly correlated to population, which is why a revenue base (income/sales tax) is needed to connect population levels and revenue/expense levels.   The PF earnings should first cover expenses, then pay a dividend with what's left.    I was here before there was a PFD and I'll be here is there's no PFD.   It's not a lifeboat, it's an annual gift from the State, which though appreciated, is not the best way to benefit all future generations of Alaska, just the individual ones living here at the time.