The Legislative branch isn’t bound by the 4.05 percent budget allotment Governor Dalrymple had to put in place.
But the chairman of the Legislative Council says lawmakers will do their part.
Sen. Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) says, for example, some interim committee meetings are starting at 10 a-m, rather than 9 a-m.
"We will get legislators who will drive in from Fargo, Valley City, Dickinson, Minot the same day, rather than coming the day before," said Holmberg. "They won't have to spend the night in a hotel, which runs about $80 on the state rate. We save on an evening meal. We save half a day on per diem, and the salary for the legislators to attend that meeting."
Holmberg also says some interim chairmen have agreed to reduce the number of meetings, and cut two day meetings back to one day.
"One of the big expenses is travel," said Holmberg. "If you drive at 57.5 cents per mile, it adds up pretty fast, if you're coming from a Grand Forks, Grafton or Wahpeton. You're talking $200 to $300 per person."
Holmberg says out of state travel is being reduced. He says overall, the Legislative Council will save $544,000 over the interim – and the plan is to cut expenses for the 2017 Legislature by $643,000.
