ND Lawmaker Proposes COVID Relief Checks for All Residents

(Bismarck, ND)  -- A North Dakota lawmaker is proposing to use federal COVID-19 relief funds to send checks to residents in the state.  

Representative Jeff Magrum told WDAY Radio's The Jay Thomas Show that he wants to use all of the available funds to give each North Dakota resident a nearly $2700 direct payment.  

Magrum says the state would be able to collect sales tax on the increased spending from the checks, and that since North Dakota is in such a good spot financially, it makes all the sense in the world to give the money to residents.

It is unclear if the proposal qualifies under the rules for the spending plan. Lawmakers are considering over 200 total plans for the over $2.3 billion in total extra COVID funds sitting in bank accounts in Bismarck.