Officials: ND oil tax distribution falls short

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- City, county and school officials have told the North Dakota Senate Appropriations Committee that more than $200 million should be restored in a measure that distributes oil and gas tax revenue.

The Senate Finance and Taxation Committee had stripped the money from a House bill that had proposed more than $737 million be divided up between political subdivisions over the next two years.

Officials from oil-producing counties told senators that the proposed $531 million in funding won't come close to meeting the needs for such things as road building and repair, utilities, housing and schools.

Sen. Ray Holmberg is chairman of the Appropriations Committee. The Grand Forks Republican says the group could have a recommendation on the funding level this week.