Savings plan criticized

BISMARCK — A bill that would give babies born in North Dakota $500 a year in state money until they’re 18 got a chilly reception in a House committee Thursday.

Rep. Scot Kelsh, D-Fargo, said House Bill 1508 would encourage families to stay in the state. Babies born after Jan. 1, 2010, would get $500 seed money for an account that can’t be spent until they are 18. As long as they continue to live in the state, they will get another $500 per year, with the parents able to contribute up to $1,500 matching.

But the deputy state treasurer, whose office would administer the program, said the work would be a nightmare. Lawrence Hopkins said that, using Kelsh’s birth projections, the treasurer’s office would be opening 36 counts per day. Because those babies can collect another $500 in state money every year, while more and more accounts are open every year, the work will grow exponentially.

The hearing was in House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee. The committee voted 10-3 to give the bill a do-not-pass recommendation

RECYCLING WANTED

Rep. Steve Zaiser, D-Fargo, wants the state to lead the way with more recycling. He’s introduced a bill that requires state-owned properties to collect recyclable materials.

That includes all state college campus buildings, the Capitol grounds buildings, rest areas, district Transportation Department offices and state parks.

But the North Dakota University System and the state Parks and Recreation Department opposed the bill during a hearing Thursday. The agency officials, and several of the members of the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee, questioned how rest areas and parks in the rural areas of the state would find places to take the recycled materials.

The committee later voted 8-5 to give the bill a do-not-pass recommendation.

‘HERITAGE’ DONOR HONORED

A North Dakota native who has given a half-million dollars to a planned state Heritage Center expansion was the guest of honor at a lunch and a Senate session Thursday.

Kirk Lanterman is the largest private donor to the expansion drive. He was born and raised in the Bismarck-Mandan area and he and his wife, Janet, live in Seattle. He became president and CEO of the Holland America Cruise Line in 1992.

Legislative leaders and Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple had a special luncheon in the Governor’s Conference Room Thursday and Lanterman then joined Sen. Robert Horne, D-Minot, on the Senate floor as Horne’s guest during the Senate’s session that began right after lunch.

Lanterman has also been a major donor to the University of North Dakota, University of Mary and many other projects.

Cole works for Forum

Communications Co., which owns The Jamestown Sun

Tags: north dakota, legislature, savings, babies, children, news