"Alaskans Get Money Back from the State" Alaska Favorite Tip by AKtravelers

Favorite thing: While most Americans pay tax to their state, Alaska's oil wealth allows the state government to dispense annual dividends to residents. Sometimes those checks are over $1000 during times of high oil prices. Most Alaskans, aware that oil is the source of this wealth, are therefore very protective of the oil industry. In fact, most Alaskans tend to be angainst environmentalists of all stripes, having migrated there to get away from people who want to tell them how to live. Their two senators are not only both conservative Republicans, but are the type of "get the government off my back" conservatives that don't always get along with the religious fundementalists that form another branch of that party. Senator Ted Stevens is one of the most powerful lawmakers in America and is noted for his ability to bring pork to Alaska. The famous "Bridge to Nowhere" was his baby.