Energy Revenue a Hot Topic in Education Bill

The North Dakota House approved a bill to overhaul how schools are funded But many lawmakers especially from the western part of the state aren t happy about it One of the disputes is over how to handle local tax revenues from oil and coal production in western North Dakota Lawmakers in those areas say that revenue shouldn t be included when figuring their share of state aid to schools The new funding plan would share all the energy money from those areas with schools across the state Supporters say it s what the state has to do to make funding equal for all schools to avoid a lawsuit Rep Dave Monson R Osnabrock the purpose of the new formula is to try to collect money to the state and redistibute to schools that have no way to raise money in any way shape or form The bill passed by a vote of 62 to 25 it now will go into negotiations with the Senate The Senate version of the bill requires sharing only half of the energy revenue We ll have more about the education finance bill tonight at ten