The senate Appropriations Committee has given a “do-pass” recommendation to a bill designed to deal with a projected $310 million shortfall in the state’s budget.
The vote was 9 to 4. It will now be on the Senate floor Wednesday morning.
The measure takes the final $75 million out of the budget stabilization fund, and allows the Office of Management and Budget to draw out up to $100 million from the Bank of North Dakota’s profits. It leaves intact most of the latest across-the-board allotment ordered by Gov. Jack Dalrymple, which was 2 ½ percent. But it adds money back to the Human Service Department and the Department of Corrections.
Speaking to a joint House-Senate Appropriations hearing, House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R-Fargo) sais the bill is a good fix – as a bridge to the regular Legislative session that convenes in January.
"Keep in mind that when you do this, it's meant to be streamlined," Carlson said. "It's meant to be focused. And it's meant to get in and out, to do our responsibility to balance the budget. And we have done that."
Senator Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) offered an amendment – to take some additional money out of the Strategic Investment Fund – and restore some of the money cut by Dalrymple in the earlier 4.05 percent allotment. Mathern told the Committee the money would leverage some federal dollars the state stands to lose.
"This amendment is just taking that entire (Human Services) budget, and saying, 'Where is there federal match dollars that relate to serving people directly," Mathern said.
But Sen. Terry Wanzek (R-Jamestiown) said he could not support the Mathern amendment at this time.
"Everyone's going to have to sacrifice a little bit, to get this thing back in balance, and to get our state moving forward," Wanzek said. "I think everybody understands that."
Mathern’s amendment failed 9 to 4. He did say he may bring up the amendment again on the Senate floor.
