A House-Senate conference committee has reached an agreement on funding for a proposed Theodore Roosevelt Library and Museum, to be built in Medora.
The item was added to the Governor’s office budget. It provides for $15 million in general fund dollars, plus allows borrowing up to $35 million from the Bank of North Dakota. That $50 million would make up an endowment fund, and would be used to attract $100 million in private donations.
The bill also addresses whether Governor Burgum will be paid a salary. Burgum has said he doesn’t need a salary, and the Senate agreed. But the House was insistent that the salary be paid. The amendment adopts the House position.
"The Senate wants to see the library happen," said Sen. David Hogue (R-Minot), chairman of the conference committee. "And if the Governor has to take his salary, that's how you achieve compromise and progress -- you have to give on some of those issues."
The Senate passed the bill 34-13. Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman (D-New Rockford) was one of the "no" votes.
"I don't think there was a lot of advance preparation on whether the city in which it is going to be placed is ready for it," Heckaman said. "And I believe that when you have a strong Foundation, it should be able to raise money to boost the additional funds they will collect from around the nation and around the world."