New law leaves North Dakota spending panel 'boxed in' on using federal funds
The law, which went into effect in April, requires the governor to call lawmakers in for a special session if the total amount of federal funds doled out by the commission exceeds $50 million during the two-year budget cycle. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to override the Gov. Doug Burgum's veto, pushing the bill into law despite Republican Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's remark that the legislation is "very problematic and would be difficult to defend against a constitutional challenge."
6:43 pm, Jun. 16, 2021
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Members of the North Dakota Emergency Commission, from right, Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, Secretary of State Al Jaeger and Gov. Doug Burgum listen during a meeting at the state Capitol on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Jeremy Turley / Forum News Service