The North Dakota House has rejected a bill to set aside $45 million from the earnings of the Legacy Fund for research at NDSU and UND.
Originally, the two campuses has asked for $100 million over the next two years.
The House Appropriations Committee recommended a “no” vote on the measure. But Rep. Jim Kasper (R-Fargo) urged the House to pass the measure.
"We have two great universities that are involved in research in the state 0f North Dakota," Kasper said. "They have one thing in common -- they're woefully underfunded."
Kasper said the two universities are competing in a global economy.
'We could do wonderful things, and create wonderful jobs in our state, with increased research dollars," Kasper said.
Opponents said there are other bills still in committee to put some money towards research.
The bill failed on a 62 to 30 vote.