VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota legislature approved of the closure of eight North Dakota Department of Transportation maintenance shops two years ago as a cost cutting measure including those in Mayville, Courtenay and Litchville.

During the District 24 Legislative Forum Representative Daniel Johnston talked about why he and other lawmakers support a bill to have snow plow operators available during the winter months.

District 24 State Senator Larry Robinson also supports the bill but believes it may be hard to hire snow plow operators if they aren’t sure about their future employment.

District 24 Representative Dwight Kiefert also supports the bill to reinstate snow plow operators in Courtenay and Litchville during the winter months.

But Kiefert said he opposes a bill that would cut services for the State Hospital in Jamestown. He believes it’s important not to make any budget cuts that wold hurt patient access to the facility.

Kiefert said he voted against ending North Dakota’s Blue Law last week. The measure passed on a 56 to 35 vote to allow retailers to open before noon on Sunday’s.

Kiefert made those comments during the District 24 Legislative Forum held on Saturday, January 19th in Valley City.