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Delegation meets congressional offices and Pentagon officials to brief diversion project; bond tax‑exempt status discussed
Summary
Staff and commissioners reported meetings with North Dakota congressional delegation and Pentagon officials to brief them on project progress, to thank them for federal appropriations and to discuss protecting tax‑exempt municipal bond interest for upcoming bond issuances.
Jason Benson and a small delegation reported on a two‑day lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., where they briefed the congressional delegation on project progress and introduced Benson as the authority’s new executive director.
The delegation met with Representative Fedorchek, Senator Hoeven, Senator Kramer, Representative Fishbach and staff for Senator Tina Smith, and also visited the Pentagon to meet Stacy Brown, acting principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Benson said the meetings reviewed construction progress, upcoming 2025 construction work and federal funding and Project Partnership Agreement issues. The delegation thanked members for a $750 million appropriation that has been made to the project.
Benson said the delegation raised concerns about potential legislative proposals to limit the tax‑exempt status of interest on municipal bonds. The authority anticipates issuing two bonds near substantial completion of the project and discussed with members how changes to tax treatment would affect borrowing costs.
Benson also described meeting longtime congressional staffer Tracy Sutton at her retirement event and presenting a commemorative gift; Sutton was acknowledged for early work supporting North Dakota water infrastructure.
Ending: Benson said the delegation will continue outreach with congressional members and staff on federal appropriations, the Project Partnership Agreement and bonding issues.
