Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo plans to introduce a new bill in the 2009 Legislature. Kasper feels the governor's residence "should be much more magnificant." He feels the current governor's residence is not impressive enough for high-profile visitors. Kasper feels the governor's residence looks like an ordinary home.
Kasper would like to use $3 million of the state's expected $1 billion surplus for a new governor's home. With the state's expected surplus he feels this would be a good time for this project.
Governor John Hoeven doesn't feel that a new governor's residene is appropriate. He states, "I don't think we need it." A showy residence would be uncharacteristic of ND and would draw public opposition.
The governor's home did have more than $300,000 worth of renovations done in the late 1990s. These costs were financed by private donations. Hoeven occassionally hosts receptions for legislators at the residence, but larger functions are held at hotels or the state Heritage Center.
The University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University have both given their campus presidents new homes costing more than $1 million each. These homes were financed by private donations.
When searching the web for more information on the ND Governor's residene I discovered this link: http://governor.nd.gov/hoeven/residence.html. The few pictures on this site show a modern and beautfully decorated home. In agreement with Governor Hoeven, I don't see a need for a new governor's residence. The home has many years of history in it. ND prides itself in it's heritage.
If the governor's residence was rebuilt to be able to host larger social functions, it may not feel as much as a home for the Governor, his family and friends. They currently can feel a sense of security knowing who they have in their home. A larger function would bring more people in to their home, many they may not know well, and security measures would have to be much greater.
There seems to be so many more needs in ND, i.e. education, roads, human service organizations, homeless. Why can't we help some of these types of needs, along with keeping a nice reserve fund. We never know what the future holds and having a nice, healthy reserve to fall back on wouldn't be a bad idea. It will be interesting to see what other legislative representatives think about the proposal for a new governor's residence.
Kasper would like to use $3 million of the state's expected $1 billion surplus for a new governor's home. With the state's expected surplus he feels this would be a good time for this project.
Governor John Hoeven doesn't feel that a new governor's residene is appropriate. He states, "I don't think we need it." A showy residence would be uncharacteristic of ND and would draw public opposition.
The governor's home did have more than $300,000 worth of renovations done in the late 1990s. These costs were financed by private donations. Hoeven occassionally hosts receptions for legislators at the residence, but larger functions are held at hotels or the state Heritage Center.
The University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University have both given their campus presidents new homes costing more than $1 million each. These homes were financed by private donations.
When searching the web for more information on the ND Governor's residene I discovered this link: http://governor.nd.gov/hoeven/residence.html. The few pictures on this site show a modern and beautfully decorated home. In agreement with Governor Hoeven, I don't see a need for a new governor's residence. The home has many years of history in it. ND prides itself in it's heritage.
If the governor's residence was rebuilt to be able to host larger social functions, it may not feel as much as a home for the Governor, his family and friends. They currently can feel a sense of security knowing who they have in their home. A larger function would bring more people in to their home, many they may not know well, and security measures would have to be much greater.
There seems to be so many more needs in ND, i.e. education, roads, human service organizations, homeless. Why can't we help some of these types of needs, along with keeping a nice reserve fund. We never know what the future holds and having a nice, healthy reserve to fall back on wouldn't be a bad idea. It will be interesting to see what other legislative representatives think about the proposal for a new governor's residence.
I completely agree with you that the residence seems very nice as it is. Although there are times when I feel the conservative nature of our state goes a little to the extreme when it comes to saving money, I think there are much MUCH better ways to spend $3 million than on building a new house for the governor, especially if he is statisfied with it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Governor Hoeven that the house is fine as it is. It sounds as if they house is very nice just not a "Mansion" that some people would like to see. If they were to build a new multi-million dollar home I don't think they should use the state's surplus of money, but rather get private donations. If they got enough money through private donations then I think it would be fine.
ReplyDeleteI also feel that there are more things that the state needs to worry about then a new home for the governer, especially when he feels that the home is fine the way it is. If they decide to build a new house for the governer I think that it shouldnt come form the state's fund and they should look to donations instead. Yes NDSU and UND have provided their presidents with brand new homes but the money came from donations.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this shouldn't be an issue and that the state of North Dakota should worry about other important things. Just because there is a surplus doesn't mean that the money should be spent on things that aren't necessary.
I can think of much better uses for 3 million dollars than to build a new residence for the governor. The people of North Dakota I am sure would not feel that was an acceptable use of their tax dollars.
ReplyDeleteWe have learned rather quickly in Iowa that a budget surplus does not last long. In the last few years that we have had our governor, we have gone from a surplus to a deficit. The honorable representative from North Dakota can learn a lesson from his neighbors a couple of states to the south an use the money wisely. As the old saying goes, save it for a rainy day.