Democratic governor candidate disputes oil money allotments

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Democratic governor candidate Ryan Taylor says local governments in North Dakota's western oil-producing region should get a bigger share of oil tax collections.

Taylor says western North Dakota counties, cities and schools are now getting only between 8 percent and 11 percent of oil revenues, but he says the share should be close to 40 percent. He says other energy-producing states guarantee local governments a much bigger share of energy tax money.

Part of North Dakota's tax on oil production is earmarked for local governments. Last year, the Legislature allocated $1.2 billion for roads, housing and public works in western North Dakota.

Taylor held a news conference in Bismarck on Monday.

He says counties need more money for road repairs, and western schools are struggling to cope with growing enrollments.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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