Group considers N.D. higher ed spending growth

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A consultant says the spending growth of North Dakota's university system can't be maintained.

Members of a legislative higher education committee and a group of outside advisers, called the “roundtable,” met Monday at the state Capitol.

Spending on North Dakota's university system is rising 26 percent during the current two-year budget, and the Board of Higher Education is seeking another increase of more than 20 percent.

Bismarck attorney and consultant Robert Harms says it's hard for taxpayers to tolerate those increases.

Board president Jon Backes says the increases are possible because of North Dakota's healthy economy. He says the state's colleges don't expect them to continue forever.

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