Tag: Government Budgets

Montana’s Arts Funding Fight Offers a Warning About Politics in the Fine Print

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

A routine bill to fund Montana’s arts grants turned into a bitter fight this session, and not everyone made it through unscathed. Lawmakers sent the measure to Governor Gianforte—but without restoring awards stripped from dozens of organizations that didn’t testify at a budget hearing. At the center of it all is Rep. John Fitzpatrick, whose

Read & Share   sourced from: Montana Free Press

North Dakota House passes Department of Commerce budget after debate over amendments

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

After two days of heated debate, the North Dakota House passed the Department of Commerce budget last Thursday with a 61-31 vote. Lawmakers clashed over late additions, including funding for drones, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, and a $75 million development fund line of credit. Critics warned the bill risked violating the state’s single-subject rule,

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Federal judges pause US Education Department enforcement of DEI ban

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

Two federal judges have thrown a wrench into the Trump administration’s efforts to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in schools. In separate rulings, judges in Maryland and New Hampshire halted enforcement of a controversial policy that threatened federal funding for schools using race-conscious programming. Though the cases differ in scope and legal reasoning, both

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

Forget Growth for Growth’s Sake—Langley, B.C. Residents Want to Know What Pays (and why it matters in Minot)

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

Where does a city really make its money—and where does it quietly bleed it away? In Langley, British Columbia, residents took that question seriously and built a value-per-acre map to find out. Inspired by national nonprofit Strong Towns, the map breaks down how much tax revenue each property generates relative to its size. The results

Read & Share   sourced from: Strong Towns

City reviews $955M in capital improvements

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

Minot’s to-do list for the next five years is long—and expensive. At the center of the city’s proposed $955 million Capital Improvement Plan is a $6.37 million move to relocate Fire Station One to the growing south side, where coverage is falling behind. But instead of abandoning the current station, city leaders are eyeing a

Read & Share   sourced from: Minot Daily News

Subscribe to Today in Minot!

It's the free, easy way to stay informed about what's happening in Minot, and it helps support independent local news and journalism.

North Dakota lawmakers look to add $1 million to state budget for anti-abortion campaign

Source Logo

By: Mary Steurer, Michael Achterling, North Dakota Monitor |

A North Dakota legislative committee this week recommended adding $1 million in the budget bill for the Office of Management and Budget for a “life education committee” to teach people about abortion alternatives. The amendment was brought by Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg. Myrdal said the program would help inform pregnant women considering abortion of other

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

Texas school district sees efficiency gains with e-procurement (and why it might matter in Minot)

Source Logo

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

As school districts across Texas face hard choices and budget shortfalls, Arlington ISD is rewriting the playbook on financial stewardship. With 54,000 students and 76 campuses, they’ve traded paper bids and lost-in-the-mail contracts for a digital system that finds lower prices, tracks spending habits, and processes invoices ten times faster. AI tools flag better deals;

Read & Share   sourced from: Route Fifty

North Dakota legislators debate price tag of bill targeting state library content

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

A new proposal at the North Dakota Legislature is stirring up debate over who pays when state rules land in local libraries. Senate Bill 2307 would require school and public libraries to move “offensively sexual” materials out of easy reach of minors — but lawmakers are divided over the cost. Supporters say it’s a simple

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Bill requiring Legacy Fund disclosure website sees support in North Dakota Legislature

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakotans may soon get a clearer view of where their $12 billion Legacy Fund is invested. A bill passed unanimously by the Senate would create a dedicated website listing the fund’s holdings—an effort to make public information more accessible and transparent. While some investment details remain confidential due to contract limits, state officials say

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota House kills attorney general’s truth-in-sentencing bill

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

Should time served mean time locked up—or time spent preparing to reenter society? That was the heart of North Dakota’s most debated bill this session. Senate Bill 2128, backed by Attorney General Drew Wrigley, sought stricter prison terms for violent and serious offenders. Supporters said it was about accountability. Opponents warned it would strain packed

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

States ordered by U.S. Education Department to certify school DEI ban or lose funds

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

The U.S. Department of Education is turning up the pressure on states, giving them just 10 days to certify that every K-12 school complies with a federal directive limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. At stake: continued federal funding. The order builds on a February letter warning schools against race-conscious programs, drawing on the

Read & Share   sourced from: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Subscribe to Today in Minot!

It's the free, easy way to stay informed about what's happening in Minot, and it helps support independent local news and journalism.

Port: Just pass the Armstrong property tax plan already

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

A rare thing is happening in North Dakota politics: a big property tax relief bill is moving forward with real momentum. HB1176 would deliver meaningful savings to homeowners, renters, and seniors—while putting a cap on how much local governments can raise taxes. But as the bill nears the finish line, some senators are eyeing changes

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Directors Cut: North Dakota Oil Activity Dips Slightly but Remains Above Forecast

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Each month, North Dakota Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad release the “Director’s Cut,” offering a detailed look at the state’s oil and gas sector. The March 2025 update, covering January data, shows production dipped slightly but remains strong overall, with rig counts and prices offering a mixed outlook for

Read & Share  

North Dakota Senate vote allows funding for public broadcasting, but no guarantee 

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

State funding for Prairie Public Broadcasting remains uncertain after the North Dakota Senate rejected a bill banning public dollars for the network. While the vote spared Prairie Public from an outright funding ban, some lawmakers still want to cut its support through the state budget process. Supporters argue the network provides valuable local programming, emergency

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota revenue growth slowing amid drop in oil prices

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakota lawmakers are working with a tighter budget forecast, adjusting for lower projected oil prices and economic uncertainty tied to trade policies. The latest revenue estimate anticipates $5.07 billion in general fund revenues for 2025-27, down $105 million from January’s forecast. While oil production is expected to dip slightly, sales and income tax revenues

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

Senate committee hears bill mandating gold, silver investments by North Dakota treasurer

Source Logo

by: MinotVoice  |  

As concerns over inflation and national debt grow, North Dakota lawmakers are weighing a proposal to invest a portion of the state’s treasury in gold and silver. Supporters argue that precious metals provide a hedge against the weakening dollar, following the lead of other states and global financial shifts. But questions remain—how to securely store

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor