Fargo's transit system, the Devils Lake outlet plan and agriculture research are among the projects and programs in North Dakota that stand to benefit from the Senate's $390 billion spending bill.
Passed Thursday on a 69-29 vote, the bill authorizes $100 million for the Devils Lake project, a measure that Democrat Sen. Kent Conrad hailed as a victory for the area.
Fargo-based projects, including the Main Avenue bridge renovation, public transportation upgrades and several research efforts at North Dakota State University, are slated for $23 million.
"The Senate voted to make a number of substantial investments in North Dakota and in Fargo and North Dakota State University," Democrat Sen. Byron Dorgan said.
Conrad and Dorgan were two of 19 Democrats who voted for the bill.
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The $390 billion measure combines 11 bills to finance every agency except the Pentagon for the federal budget year that started Oct. 1. The Defense Department's budget was enacted last fall.
The Senate must now pass its bill through conference talks with the House, a process that likely won't affect North Dakota's share, Conrad said.
"We may face the situation where some things get a hair cut, but I think we're in pretty good shape with most of our provisions," he said.
Conrad expected the House and Senate to reach an agreement soon on the spending bill, possibly as early as next week.
Congress must then ask President Bush to sign the bill into law.
White House officials lauded the Senate measure, saying that Republican leaders resisted Democrat attempts at fattening the bill.
Democrats argued that the bill skimped on domestic security, health and other key programs.
The main criticism from Conrad and Dorgan remained focused on disaster relief for farmers.
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A $6 billion package led by Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., was defeated earlier this week in favor of a measure half its size. Conrad and Dorgan said the funds were not only inadequate but also made too accessible to farmers who don't need them.
Among the projects and programs provided for North Dakota in the Senate spending bill:
- $2.2 million for the Lewis and Clark Legacy Trails project.
- $2 million for continuation of the Red River Basin Study.
- $1 million for NDSU's Advanced Traffic Analysis Center, where traffic problems and growth patterns are studied for better highway planning and funding.
- $880,000 for NDSU to study scab, a costly crop disease that affects wheat and barley.
- $835,000 for improvements at Fargo's bus facility and to replace elderly-transportation vehicles.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Forster at (701) 241-5538
