BISMARCK - North Dakota's governor is asking President Donald Trump for federal reimbursement of $38 million in state law enforcement bills related to months of protests over construction of the Dakota Access pipeline.
Gov. Doug Burgum emailed Trump on Saturday seeking a presidential disaster declaration to pave the way for federal aid.
The North Dakota Legislature and Burgum recently approved borrowing money to pay protest-related costs, but that money will have to be repaid by state taxpayers.
Separately, U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says a $1 trillion spending bill Congress is considering includes money for a Justice Department program that could help with North Dakota's bills. But any reimbursement through the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program is likely to make only a small dent.