Gov. John Hoeven's position on using a portion of North Dakota's $100 million dollar surplus to aid the needy is unacceptable. The recent hurricane financial disaster will surely cut back money available for heating assistance programs in North Dakota. This, coupled with the dramatic increases in natural gas and fuel oil, is a peril for those in need of fuel assistance.
Rep. Rick Berg, R-Fargo, House majority Leader, said he wants to be cautious with the surplus. That is why we have surpluses, to insure the availability of money to help those citizens in need. If ever there is a need it is now, to make sure that the needy and poor have the basic creature comforts.
It is a Biblical tradition to store away goods to use when in need. The secular version of the tenet is "saving for a rainy day." North Dakota has saved and now it is time to acknowledge the "rainy day."
If the U.S. Congress cannot appropriate the same level of fuel assistance funding as last year, it behooves our state government to make up the difference. The citizens paid the taxes, let the needy, of those, benefit from part of the states surplus. The decision should be a no-brainer.
Phyllis K. Bancroft
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Fargo
