The Myrdal Amendment: A Budget Backroom Deal That Betrays North Dakotans

April 18th, 2025

Prairie Action ND

Right now, anti-choice lawmakers are trying to sneak a $1 million taxpayer-funded political campaign into the state budget.

The Myrdal Amendment, quietly tacked onto the critical Office of Management and Budget funding bill, creates a so-called ‘Life Committee’ campaign and allocates $1 million in taxpayer money to fund it. This was done without a public hearing, without public testimony, and without a vote in any policy committee. Why? Because they knew the public wouldn’t stand for it. 

During the discussion in the Senate Appropriations Committee, the truth came out. The intent of the Myrdal Amendment has nothing to do with actual services; the state already funds the so-called Alternatives to Abortion program to the tune of $1 million. The “Life Committee” campaign is a propaganda machine, designed to sway public opinion and interfere in future ballot measures. 

Let’s call this what it is: A deceptive attempt to funnel public money into a political campaign under the false label of “education.” 

This is a blatant abuse of taxpayer money. It is wrong in terms of process and principle.

North Dakotans expect and deserve a government that operates transparently, follows proper procedure, and uses public funds responsibly. 

North Dakota taxpayers deserve better than secret slush funds and backroom deals. Legislators still have time to do the right thing: reject this abuse of power, strip the Myrdal Amendment from the budget, and restore trust in the democratic process.