Critics say rail facility bailout would help Hoeven's bank
JAMES MacPHERSON, Associated Press
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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Republican-led Legislature is considering giving $10 million to an intermodal rail facility, a move backers say will reduce shipping costs and increase markets for the state’s farm products and other commodities.
Opponents argue the funding proposed for the long-troubled and financially distressed facility in Minot is nothing more than a taxpayer bailout for banks, one of which is partly owned by Republican U.S. Sen. John Hoeven.
Five Minot-area lawmakers sponsored the legislation that seeks to provide $1.8 million for track improvements and $8.2 million that would be funneled to a trio of banks that acquired the property and buildings and equipment through foreclosure.