Legislative houses differ in flood protection project funding

Flood protection in the Souris Basin hinges on a familiar tug-of-war: big needs, tight budgets, and two chambers with different philosophies. The House wants to commit $125 million; the Senate is leaning toward $65 million. At the heart of the debate is a basic misunderstanding—lawmakers see unspent funds, while local leaders see money already spoken for through contracts for work in process. With rising costs and multi-year timelines, the funding question isn’t just about what’s needed now—it’s about whether the state is willing to plan like the floodwaters are coming.