Grand Forks has 5 on legislative appropriations committees. Some are pleased, but does it make a difference?

Jan. 11—GRAND FORKS — Five Grand Forks lawmakers are seated on the two appropriations committees in the 2023 session of the state Legislature. It's a number that's higher than past years, and it's one that some local leaders say gives them relief that the city has voices at the fiscal table this session.

"Grand Forks, with UND, has a great deal at stake every legislative session because so much of what drives UND's budget happens at the Legislature," Barry Wilfahrt, president and CEO of the East Grand Forks-Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce, said before running down a list of local entities that recently have been — or hope to be — beneficiaries of state dollars. "Those things all end up running through appropriations from the state, and the state has come through in a big way historically. Appropriations is important."

Representing Grand Forks on the Senate Appropriations Committee this session are Republicans Scott Meyer and Curt Kreun, both of whom are new to the committee. They come to the Senate Appropriations Committee after holding leadership positions on other committees in the past — Kreun was chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Meyer was vice chairman of Government and Veterans Affairs.

On the House Appropriations Committee are veteran members Mark Sanford, a Republican, and Democrat Corey Mock, along with committee newcomer Republican Emily O'Brien.

Last session, Grand Forks was represented on the two committees by three members — Sanford, Mock and longtime Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ray Holmberg, who did not run for reelection.

The Senate Appropriation Committee includes 16 members, while the House Appropriations Committee has 23. The only city that has more representation on the committees is Fargo, with eight. Grand Forks and Bismarck both have five, Minot has four and Williston has two. After that, no other community has more than one member working in appropriations.

"Does it make a difference? It certainly helps to have more Grand Forks-area voices that are part of the process," Mock told the Herald during a brief break from Monday's session.

He called it a "strategic benefit for our community — something we haven't had for a while." He also believes it is a high-water mark, at least in recent history.

"It speaks volumes to the experience and expertise of legislators," he said. "Their priorities while working on fiscal matters should steer a lot of positive conversation and different perspectives on what is happening in the northeast corner of the state."

Holmberg's departure caused concern, said Wilfahrt, and especially after recent sessions that brought millions of state dollars into the community. As previously reported by the Herald, between the 2021 session and a subsequent special session of the Legislature, a number of Grand Forks-related projects received millions in state funding, including:

* $150 million to support infrastructure for a natural gas pipeline that will link western oil fields with eastern communities.

* $10 million for natural gas transportation to Grand Forks County.

* $50 million for renovation projects at UND.

* $10 million for space education and research at UND.

* $2 million for hyperbaric oxygen therapy at UND's School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Holmberg already had decided to retire from the Legislature when he abruptly resigned

between sessions amid controversy

related to what appeared to be text conversations with a man in jail. Holmberg was not charged with any crimes, but left early nonetheless.

"I think that is something that is always important, that we have our share of members on appropriations. It's certainly something we monitor and watch closely," Wilfahrt said. "And when you had (a Grand Forks lawmaker as) the chair of appropriations on the Senate side for 20-some years, that is a pretty major transition. So I would say that this recent cycle, community members were paying closer attention to that than maybe we had in previous cycles."

Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski also voiced concerns about the void created with Holmberg's departure. But, he said, landing five local delegates on the two committees speaks well for their abilities.

Does it potentially mean more money for Grand Forks?

"I think it means Grand Forks will at least be at the table," Bochenski said. "When you get those appropriator positions, you have to work really hard to make everybody happy. I don't think it necessarily means more money for Grand Forks, but I think they'll be involved in a lot more deal-making."

UND President Andrew Armacost said the university will soon unveil its 2023 requests at the Capitol. Important for the university, he said, are issues related to the economic pressures associated with inflation and workforce, while still "looking toward a future to better prepare students for service."

Specifically asked if the university might gain any sort of an advantage with an increased number of lawmakers serving on the two appropriations committees, Armacost wouldn't bite.

"It gives me satisfaction knowing that the process to select people for that committee looked at their experience and sense of reason as they make decisions," he said. "I am not going to comment on whether or not Grand Forks has some advantage."

Instead, he was complimentary to the local lawmakers who have been seated on the two committees.

"I think their selection to be members of appropriations is a recognition of the good sense they have about how to make decisions for the state of North Dakota," he said. "If you look at the people selected, I think they have those characteristics."

Sanford, a member of the House Appropriations Committee for a decade, stresses that members must maintain a "big-picture outlook" rather than maintaining geographic or paternalistic views.

"I think it's probably fair to say that you're expected to be really big-picture on all committees, but particularly on this committee," Sanford said. "It's nice to have people who are part of that and informed, but in terms of any implied advantage, it really shouldn't be there because you are funding every agency and funding all of government, so to speak. That requires a big-picture outlook."

Sanford said he isn't surprised that Grand Forks landed three new members on the two committees. Sens. Kreun and Meyer "both have legislative experience and both bring expertise in various areas that is very useful in appropriations," he said. "And in the House, it's similar with Emily."

They have all put in time "in the trenches and also have backgrounds in critical areas," Sanford said.