budget

Leaders of UND Hope to Move Forward with a New Strategic Plan

A presentation at UND was held to discuss the new five year strategic plan

GRAND FORKS, ND — UND is working on overcoming many obstacles throughout the school year after being hit with major budget cuts. From the commotion of cutting women’s hockey, controversy over re-branding athletics and getting a new president, one of North Dakota’s major universities went through several changes in a short amount of time. “I’m hoping there’s no more allotments…

Sex Discrimination Complaint Filed Against UND Over Athletics Programs

In March of this year, UND announced it was cutting their women's hockey and men's and women's swimming and diving

UND women’s hockey team  GRAND FORKS, ND — A complaint has been filed against the University of North Dakota over the university’s sports programs. The federal Title IX case states the university does not give women equal opportunities in athletics. In March of this year, UND announced it was cutting their women’s hockey and men’s and women’s swimming and diving….

GOP Continues Budget Planning, Despite Gov. Dayton’s Veto Threats

A health care budget also seeks to abolish MNsure by 2019

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s Republican Legislature isn’t backing down from Gov. Dayton’s veto threats as lawmakers finalize their budget offer. The Legislature started piecing together budget bills Monday as legislative leaders prepared to head into negotiations with the Democratic governor. The environmental funding bill would delay Dayton’s initiative requiring buffers between cropland and waterways until 2019. Dayton has vowed…

Gov. Dayton Says He’s Willing to Compromise on Transportation Funding Debate

Dayton still says he thinks a 10-cent tax increase is the best route

Minnesota State Capitol  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Dayton is softening his opposition to Republicans’ tax hike-free approach to funding transportation repairs in Minnesota. Dayton and lawmakers have struggled for years to pass a major road and bridge funding package amid partisan divides over how to pay for it. Dayton still says he thinks a 10-cent tax increase is the…

Session Time Ticking as ND Lawmakers Rush to Finish in Time

This is day 72, and lawmakers may meet Saturday as they work to resolve remaining bills and agree on a budget

  BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Legislature is racing to finish its work five days before the constitutional 80-day limit. This is day 72, and lawmakers may meet Saturday as they work to resolve remaining bills and agree on a budget. The session opened in January with more than 800 measures. Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner says there were…

Minnesota Lawmakers Focus on Possible Budget Compromises

But Republicans and Democratic Gov. Dayton have lots of divides to bridge

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers returned from a week-long break with their eyes on the budget. Their return marks the beginning of the rush to agree to a new, two-year budget that will likely exceed $45 billion. But Republicans and Democratic Gov. Dayton have lots of divides to bridge. The GOP is pursuing nearly $1 billion or more in…

NDSU Nursing School on the Chopping Block?

The school in Bismarck has been targeted by an amendment to the budget to be returned to Sanford Health

FARGO, N.D. — The budget deficit in North Dakota could lead to additional cuts at NDSU. State lawmakers are considering cutting the nursing school in Bismarck. Hospitals in the metro depend on graduates from local nursing programs. An amendment to the higher education funding bill has caused some confusion among state lawmakers. It states that neither the higher education board…

Homeless Coalition Estimates $250,000 Loss in FM Shelter Funding

ND Lawmakers are considering budget cuts which take more than $1 million from state homeless shelters

FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota lawmakers are considering cutting more than $1 million from state homeless shelter funding. It’s a big concern for a group dealing with homelessness in Downtown Fargo. Cody Schuler, a director at the FM Coalition for Homeless Persons, estimates a $250,000 loss from state funding of Fargo-Moorhead’s homeless shelters if  lawmakers follow through with budget cuts. Schiler said…

MN House Republicans Propose $45 Billion Budget

House Speaker Kurt Daudt has suggested phasing out Social Security income taxes and reducing agricultural property taxes

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota House Republicans are looking at a roughly $45 billion two-year budget. Legislative leaders are considering cuts to some health care programs and state government agencies while drumming up nearly $1.4 billion in tax relief. House Speaker Kurt Daudt has suggested phasing out Social Security income taxes and reducing agricultural property taxes. They could have…

ND Lawmakers Looking to Make Drastic Budget Cuts

The shortfall is blamed on the slumping oil and agriculture economies

  BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota legislators have some tough cuts ahead. Newly updated forecasts show a $46.3 million drop in previously expected tax collections. The current two-year budget period ends on June 30. The state treasury is also forecast to take a $103 million hit for the next two-year budget. The shortfall is blamed on the slumping oil and…