Lawmakers promise to help strapped oil-patch towns

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MATTHEW BROWN and JAMES MacPHERSON

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Relief could be on the horizon for strapped public services in the Northern Plains' booming oil patch, as elected leaders in Montana and North Dakota move to steer more money into the region during the states' upcoming legislative sessions.

Tens of thousands of workers have been drawn to the region's shale oil boom in recent years. Their arrival has brought increased demands for services ranging from roads and sewage treatment to affordable housing.

Prior efforts to put more money toward those needs came up short or got delayed by political disagreement.

Political leaders on both sides of the Montana-North Dakota border said they are optimistic more can be done in 2015. Lawmakers from the states convene in early January.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this Tuesday, July 26, 2011 file photo, a worker walks by an oil derrick outside of Williston, N.D. Relief could be on the horizon for strapped public services in the Northern Plains' booming oil patch, as elected leaders in Montana and North Dakota move to steer more money into the region during the states' upcoming legislative sessions. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141225/us--patching_the_patch-e0a8f067b8.html

[hollysmom]

1. I thought Oil was supposed to bring money, not costs

[SoapBox]

2. Well my, my, my...

Who would have thunk it?!?

Put all your eggs in one basket (oil) and you are bound to get into trouble.

[delrem]

3. here's a a song for the aquifer

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. With oil prices where they're at, Williston's boom may be over.

[Yavin4]

5. Many conservative pundits told the unemployed to move to ND

and get good paying jobs in the oil business there.