DEBT

A mortgaged future: Growing number of graduates bear burdens of student loans

FARGO — Financial counselor Duane Emmel says Benjamin Franklin’s famous quotation is missing one certainty of modern-day life.

By Ryan Johnson , March 24, 2013

National debt burdens US today and tomorrow

Fiscal conservatives unwittingly sabotage themselves by warning that the $16.5 trillion national debt will impoverish America’s children and deliver unborn grandkids directly into Chinese slavery. While these dire predictions may come true, calling America’s massive indebtedness a challenge for future generations triggers relaxation about an immediate priority: curtailing federal spending and borrowing. By defending “the children,” budget hawks let big spenders invoke Scarlett O’Hara to justify their profligacy, at least until the tykes mature. “Cut the budget later,” spendthrifts propose. “Tomorrow is another day.”

By Deroy Murdock , February 17, 2013

Dickinson officials lobby to stay out of debt

BISMARCK — An additional 22,000 people are expected to settle in Dickinson over the next seven years, further stretching the city’s infrastructure as it struggles to keep up with water supply, wastewater and other issues.

By TJ Jerke , January 31, 2013

A financial challenge: ND student debt v. jobs market

Students headed for the University of North Dakota’s aviation program are told up front the financial situation they’ll face after graduation.

By Jennifer Johnson , January 27, 2013

Higher ed board approves DSU debt payment plan: Officials ready to step in should proposal fail again

BISMARCK — Dickinson State University has a plan to pay off its ongoing debt, but should the plan fail to pay in the allotted time — as it has in the past — tough decisions will be made to take care of the problem.

By Katherine Grandstrand , September 27, 2012

Dickinson's debt - $3.1M - is low

Dickinson’s low debt of $3.1 million has put the city in a prime position to handle upcoming expenses for infrastructure, officials said Friday.

March 25, 2012

DSU saddled with debt after releasing president

Dickinson State University has unsettled debt to deal with after releasing its president last year for inflating enrollment figures.

February 18, 2012

Former controller: debt ‘a moral issue’

FARGO — When talking about the need to solve the nation’s debt problems, former U.S. Comptroller General David M. Walker delivers a familiar plea: Do it for the children.

By Mike Nowatzki , August 24, 2011

Berg meeting enflames tensions

FARGO — Divided economic philosophies enflamed a tense town hall meeting Thursday night with North Dakota Republican Rep. Rick Berg.

By Kristen M. Daum , August 12, 2011

ND, Minn. lawmakers split on debt solutions

WASHINGTON — Congress remains staunchly divided over how to tackle the nation’s debt crisis, and not even North Dakota and Minnesota federal lawmakers agree on a solution.

By Kristen M. Daum , July 27, 2011

Hoeven co-sponsors debt bill

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., announced Wednesday that he is co-sponsoring bills that would eliminate a new reporting requirement for small businesses and add an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require each year’s fiscal budget to be balanced.

By Forum Communications Co. , January 27, 2011

Stimulus bargain hard, debt bargain harder

For several years, a bipartisan group of think-tank deficit hawks has been meeting regularly and issuing loud alarms about the nation’s long-term debt crisis.

By Morton Kondracke , February 07, 2009