The 80-day long 67th Legislative Assembly is over halfway done. According to North Dakota Soybean Growers Association government liaison Phil Murphy, there is about one month’s time left for North Dakota lawmakers to finish their work. Several budgets that include agriculture and the state bonding bill continue to be main points of contention. “The governor asked for a cut to the NDSU Extension and research budget bill, but the Senate Appropriations Committee reinstated it to a hold-even budget. The House is now working in subcommittee on that bill.” Murphy adds that both Appropriations Committees heard the state revenue forecast. “They’ll then decide what needs to be done and apply it to the bonding bills, which usually come at the end.” Other legislation moving forward through the system deals with grain inspection, water and landowner rights. One item that threw decision makers for a loop is funding from the recently passed American Rescue Plan. “North Dakota gets $1.36 billion from that and hopefully it can help with county roads and bridges.” Listen to the story.