Doug Burgum in 2017 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Right-size government: cutting $1.2B is a great start
Burgum said he and the Legislature share many of the same goals, most notably the desire to balance the budget and fund priorities without raising taxes.The budget proposal presented to lawmakers by Gov. Jack Dalrymple before he left office last
month would reduce general fund spending by about $1.2 billion in the 2017-19 biennium, which Burgum called "a great start."
"But given the revenue uncertainty, we must dig deeper," Burgum said. "Right now is the time to right-size government."
"When I took office 19 days ago, I challenged our cabinet members to spend less time defending institutions and more time reinventing them. They're responding with enthusiasm for this quest," he said.
The governor called for zero-based budgeting starting in the next full budget cycle in order to focus spending on areas with the highest returns. He said the state needs to examine its revenue forecasting system.
Source: Press release on 2017 North Dakota State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2017
On Education:
Kids can't prepare for 21st century using 19th-century model
With the world's information now available for free online, Burgum said educators, parents, businesses, community organizations and legislators must all play a role in transforming the education system. It's not enough for students to do well on
traditional measures, Burgum said. The challenge is how to equip them with the skills and mindsets they need to be creative problem solvers & effective communicators. "We can't prepare our kids for the 21st century using a 19th-century model," he said.
Source: Press release on 2017 North Dakota State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2017
On Energy & Oil:
Protest campers at Dakota Access Pipeline should leave
Burgum spoke of impending damage to the environment and potential danger to protesters and first responders if Dakota Access Pipeline opponents don't vacate the main camp in southern Morton County before a likely flood hits in March. The unauthorized
camp sits in a floodplain on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land at the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers. Burgum said vacating the camp and cleaning up the abandoned cars, illegal structures and human waste from months of occupation will
be a costly and time-consuming effort."The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has repeatedly asked for the remaining protesters to leave. We unequivocally support him in this request," Burgum said.
"Peaceful protest is a protected right of all Americans,"
Burgum said. "However, protesters must respect private property rights, court orders and law enforcement personnel. Acts of vandalism, harassment and trespass are not a part of North Dakota's character and will not be tolerated."
Source: Press release on 2017 North Dakota State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2017
On Technology:
Main Street Initiative: use existing infrastructure fully
Burgum advocated for a shift away from the state's property tax buydown program and for long-term property tax reform by reducing the cost of local government. His Main Street Initiative will focus on utilizing existing infrastructure to its fullest
potential to reduce costs and create vibrant, healthy cities, he said. As part of that effort, Burgum said he will partner with mayors to ensure they have the tools, programs and empowerment they need for smart, healthy growth.
Source: Press release on 2017 North Dakota State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2017
On Crime:
Jail time without rehab is not a cure for addiction
In his first State of the State address, Governor Doug Burgum urged North Dakotans to embrace change; rethink budgeting, education, addiction treatment, tribal relations.As drug addiction and overdoses take their toll on North Dakota families,
Burgum said the state must start treating addiction differently. Sixty-one people died in North Dakota in 2015 from overdoses, and more than $260 million was spent in the past decade on new jails at the city, county and state levels, he noted.
"Many of those in our system are there because of crimes rooted in addiction. Jail time without rehab is not a cure for addiction,"
Burgum said. "We need to start treating addiction like the chronic disease that it is. By moving resources upstream, we will save lives and save money."
Source: 2017 State of the State address to North Dakota Legislature
Jan 3, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018