North Dakota's Senate Majority Leader said Gov. Doug Burgum’s proposal to spend $50 million from the earnings of the Legacy Fund on a new Theodore Roosevelt Library and Museum to be built in Medora could face a tough go in the legislature.
Sen. Rich Wardner (R-Dickinson) said he hasn’t heard many Legislators voice support for the $50 million.
"I understand that would be huge for the state," Wardner said. "But we have some other needs that are just as important, and it would be hard to defend spending $50 million for this."
Wardner said he knows Burgum pushes the two-for-one match -- putting in $50 million and raising $100 million.
"I understand that," Wardner said. "But I don't think the citizens of North Dakota think we can afford it."
Wardner said as for some of those other needs, he is looking at a proposed Ag Development center at NDSU. It would replace Harris Hall.
"Harris Hall is an antique," Wardner said. "It is a place where they bring all the trade groups who come to North Dakota."
Wardner said there is where buyers are shown how commodities are made into products.
"We need to have a first class operation," Wardner said.
Wardner said that center would be "huge" for North Dakota agriculture. He also said for that project, bonding is a possibility.
"We have room there, because we haven't bonded for a long time," Wardner said.
Wardner said he isn't a big bonding person.
"But I have to tell you, if we don't get moving on these things, it's going to be too late," Wardner said. "The costs go higher, and these producers out here need the research now."
