budget

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Work Plan Includes Funding for Flood Protection in the F-M Area

A groundbreaking was held last month for the inlet structure near Horace

  RED RIVER VALLEY — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Fiscal Year 2017 work plan includes $20 million for permanent flood protection for the Fargo-Moorhead region. The funding will support the construction of an inlet structure, as well as the design of further flood control features and environmental mitigation projects. A groundbreaking was held last month for the inlet…

Minnesota Lawmakers Make Major Decisions on Budget Battle

Lawmakers reconvened around noon

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Legislative leaders have released a bill to borrow more than $1 billion for public construction projects that includes more than $250 million for transportation infrastructure. The bonding bill is expected to be the final piece of legislation that lawmakers take up during the special session, which was envisioned as a one-day event for Tuesday…

North Dakota Senators Upset About President Trump’s Cuts to Crop Insurance Programs

The budget battle begins but North Dakota's senators are not happy with the president's decision on crop insurance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump’s first budget is out and the battle begins on both sides of the aisle. But North Dakota’s two U.S. Senators are in agreement about one section of the budget: crop insurance. Republican Senator John Hoeven and Democrat Heidi Heitkamp both say cuts to the crop insurance program are unacceptable. Heitkamp says the president’s budget leaves…

Minnesota Lawmakers Struggling to Salvage Budget Deal

It remains unclear how long it will take the Legislature to finish

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s legislative leaders are searching for how to salvage a special session to finish a two-year, $46 billion budget. They worked around the clock Tuesday and it took a toll on some lawmakers as you can see when you watch the video. The Legislature missed another deadline this morning as they blew through a self-imposed goal…

Minnesota Lawmakers Hammer Out Budget Details in Special Session

Both the House and Senate are due in floor sessions at 3 p.m. Wednesday, giving them time to finalize details beforehand

Minnesota State Capitol  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers are back at the Capitol to wrap up work on the budget after a tense finish to the regular legislative session. Legislative leaders and Gov. Dayton struck a deal as time ran down toward a required midnight adjournment Monday. It included coming back in an immediate special session needed to plow…

Moorhead Mayor Williams Hopeful For Bonding Bill

Officials are concerned about emergency crews coming from Fargo getting delayed when a train is crossing

MOORHEAD, Minn.– Moorhead Mayor Del Rae Williams said she is waiting anxiously as the Minnesota Legislature wraps up its work. The bonding bill includes a $42 million railroad underpass project south of Moorhead High School. Officials are concerned about emergency crews coming from Fargo getting delayed when a train is crossing. Council members also say that this project is crucial…

No Budget Deal Yet: Minnesota Lawmakers Have Until Midnight

Both sides are trying to avoid the first government shut down since 2011

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota legislative session ends at midnight and there is still no agreement on the budget. Both sides have agreed to make changes to original proposals, but divisions remain on what areas to focus on within the nearly $46 billion budget bill. Republicans favor returning much of a $1.6 billion surplus in the form of…

Countdown Continues: Still No Budget for Minnesota

The deadline to adjourn is Monday but Governor Dayton says he is optimistic they will reach a deal on time

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Governor Dayton and Republican legislative leaders are back behind closed doors in an attempt to work out a state budget they can both agree on. Earlier this week, offers from both sides were considered, but the talks ended on Thursday after the groups could not bridge the gap in nearly $1 billion dollars in overall…

ND Government Employees Willing to Take Voluntary Buyouts

Agencies told employees the buyouts might limit the need for layoffs

  BISMARCK, ND — About 100 employees from cabinet-level agencies in North Dakota state government have expressed interest in taking voluntary buyouts to help with the state’s struggling finances. Gov. Burgum gave agency heads in April the option to offer buyouts to employees and letters went out to some 3,600 with the offer. Agencies told employees the buyouts might limit…

Minnesota Lawmakers Work To Finalize Budget As Deadline Approaches

The deal must be finalized in less than a week, or the threats of a government shut–down become more likely

  ST.PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s political leaders are back at the negotiating table as the deadline to make a budget deal is coming up fast. Governor Dayton and Republican lawmakers have a number of issues to resolve before a two–year budget deal can be confirmed. The two sides resumed negotiations after the GOP backed away last week and began making…