N.D. Dems share ‘responsible alternative’ plan to address revenue shortfall in special session

BISMARCK – Democratic lawmakers on Thursday will release their proposal for balancing the state’s budget during a special session next month, hoping majority Republicans will consider it as they prepare to roll out their own plan crafted by GOP leadership and Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

Senate Minority Leader Mac Schneider of Grand Forks said the Democrats’ plan would restore millions cut from social services while leaving in place 80 percent to 90 percent of the $245 million in across-the-board cuts imposed on most state agencies in February and an additional $151 million allotment that Democrats expect to come out of the special session that begins Aug. 2.

“We understand that we need to cut spending in a time of revenue shortfall. All we’re asking is that we be smart about it,” he said.

After February’s 4.05 percent cuts that helped balance a projected $1.07 billion shortfall for the 2015-17 biennium, an updated forecast released last week projected an additional $310 million shortfall by next July, prompting Dalrymple to call the special session.

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