The statement
Palin

When oil and gas prices sent state revenues up, Palin sent "a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska."

Sarah Palin on Friday, August 29th, 2008 in Dayton, Ohio

Each Alaskan got $1,200

True

John McCain chose Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, as his running mate for the 2008 election.

Palin joined the ticket at an event in Dayton, Ohio, on Aug. 29, 2008, delivering a speech discussing her biography and qualifications to be vice president.

When she entered public office, she said her goals were "to stop wasteful spending, and cut property taxes, and put the people first."

"When oil and gas prices went up so dramatically and the state revenues followed with that increase, I sent a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska," Palin said of her accomplishments as governor.

We looked into the record and found that Palin did push for a measure to return state surplus revenue back to residents of mineral-rich Alaska. On Aug. 7, 2008, the Alaska Legislature approved a measure she promoted that would send $1,200 to every Alaskan who qualifies.

That comes to about $741-million for state residents, out of an estimated $2.7-billion in increased oil taxes and royalties.

Purists might argue that the rebates only come to 35 percent of the estimated excess revenue. But still, it seems fair to us to describe a $741-million outlay as "large," and $1,200 per person is a nice windfall. We find Palin's statement True.

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About this statement

Sources: Alaska State Legislature, Senate Bill 4002, passed Aug. 7, 2008

Associated Press, "Alaska lawmakers end session with energy cost relief," Aug. 8, 2008

Anchorage Daily News, "Palin's energy relief: $1,200 each," June 21, 2008

Written by: Angie Drobnic Holan
Researched by: Scott Montgomery
Edited by: Scott Montgomery

Articles about this statement:
Examining Gov. Sarah Palin

Published: Friday, August 29th, 2008

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