Senate, House Caucus leaders formally ask Governor Dalrymple to call a special legislative session focusing on infrastructure, other needs facing western North Dakota.

(BISMARCK, ND) – The leaders of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Senate and House Caucuses have asked Governor Dalrymple to call a Special Legislative Session to address infrastructure and other needs facing oil counties and communities.

In a letter sent early this morning, House Democratic-NPL Leader Kenton Onstad, of Parshall, and Senate Democratic-NPL Leader Mac Schneider, of Grand Forks, stated, “We cannot wait until the 2015 session to address these challenges.”

Senator John Warner, of Ryder, also signed the letter. Representative Onstad and Senator Warner both represent District 4, a region directly impacted by oil and gas development.

In their letter, the three legislators stated that current state funding levels are failing to keep up with the pace of development. Onstad, Schneider, and Warner wrote: “The affected western counties do not think that the current funding level is adequate to meet the demand for services they are facing. Impacted cities are reaching their bonding limits and are increasingly frustrated with lack of assistances to adequately fund development projects…If present state funding levels do not change, many local leaders and residents fear that Western North Dakota may never catch up to the pace of oil and gas development.”

Representative Onstad said North Dakota Democrats don’t take their request for a Special Session lightly, but he said that the state doesn’t have any other choice.

“There are many in western North Dakota who are afraid that their communities and counties are reaching the breaking point,” said Onstad. “If we don’t act now, we’re jeopardizing the financial solvency of many western counties, cities, and school districts and we’re putting future oil and gas development at risk.”

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LETTER TO GOVERNOR JACK DALRYMPLE FROM REPRESENTATIVE KENTON ONSTAD, SENATOR MAC SCHNEIDER, AND SENAATOR JOHN WARNER

Dear Governor Dalrymple:

Back in 2008 Dem-NPL legislators called for a Special Session to focus on western infrastructure needs. The challenges facing western North Dakota have only become more pronounced since then. We cannot wait until the 2015 session to address these challenges. They must be addressed now. That is why we are writing this letter to formally request that you call for a special session of the North Dakota Legislature to address infrastructure funding and other needs for western North Dakota.

This is a serious subject that demands immediate attention. The affected western counties do not think that the current funding level is adequate to meet the demand for services they are facing. Impacted cities are reaching their bonding limits and are increasingly frustrated with lack of assistance to adequately fund development projects. Western school districts are struggling as enrollment surges, hindering the education of our youth.

These are only a small sampling of the needs facing Western North Dakota. Law enforcement, rural ambulance and fire departments, medical services, housing and water issues are also on a long list of issues that must be addressed prior to 2015. Increased funding in the past is much appreciated, but is falling far short of meeting needs. If the present state funding levels do not change, many local leaders and residents fear that Western North Dakota may never catch up to the pace of oil and gas development.

Please give our request to call for a special session serious consideration. This is never an easy decision but, if the issues facing Western North Dakota are not soon addressed, oil and gas development may be seriously and adversely impacted. No one wants to hinder the success North Dakota has so far enjoyed.

We are simply trying to seek solutions on behalf of our western neighbors. We look forward to hearing from your office.

Sincerely,

Rep. Kenton Onstad Sen. John Warner Sen. Mac Schneider

The post ND Dem-NPL Legislative Leaders ask for Special Session focused on Western North Dakota appeared first on North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party.

From: Dem-NPL News