State of North Dakota secondary Archives: on Budget & Economy
Doug Burgum:
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
Doug Burgum:
Increased teacher & state employee pay without raising taxes
Working with our legislative partners, you can see from 2016 to the current thing, we've reduced the general fund budget by over $1 billion. In that same timeframe we've increased teacher and state employee pay, we've made key
infrastructure investments, we've reduced property taxes and we've done all of this without raising taxes. And so with great collaboration, we've been able to stabilize the state's finances and begin building our reserves.
Source: 2020 North Dakota State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
Doug Burgum:
Investing in infrastructure now will save us millions
Now is the time to invest in our future with a backbone of smart, efficient, modern infrastructure. We can save tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars by investing now versus waiting for years to pay cash for aging infrastructure.
With a flexible $700 million revolving loan fund, we can support strategic high-dollar infrastructure projects while creating room in our DOT budget and the Resources Trust Fund to support many other smaller yet essential water and road projects.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to North Dakota legislature
Jan 5, 2021
Dustin Peyer:
Revamp tax code so business can pay living wage
For years minimum wage has stayed the same while prices of goods and services have increased. Trickle down economics has destroyed our small business and their ability to pay a living wage.
It must go beyond the forced government hand to make business pay a certain dollar amount whether they can or not. We need to support business with proper tax codes and regulation and incentive for the local businesses that hold communities together.
Source: 2018 North Dakota Senatorial website PeyerForSenate.org
Oct 1, 2017
Eliot Glassheim:
Federal spending promotes growth better than tax cuts
Q: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
A: No.
Q: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
A: Yes; tax incentives need better control.
Source: VoteSmart 2016 North Dakota Political Courage Test
Aug 8, 2016
Rick Becker:
Submit smaller budgets when there are shortfalls
Discussion of the state's $1.074 billion budget shortfall dominated a large portion of the debate. Candidates were asked what they would've done differently if they were governor in 2015 when the state overshot on its budget forecast with oil prices
already beginning to fall. "I don't know that I would have done anything differently," Stenehjem said, adding that the current rainy day funds and processes for cutting budgets has been in place for decades and have worked.
Last month general fund agencies were ordered to cut 4.05% from their budgets; the rest of the cuts came from rainy day funds and state general fund surplus dollars.Becker, touting his staunch fiscal conservative principles, said he'd have submitted
a far smaller budget to begin with. "We wouldn't have found ourselves in the situation we're in now," Becker said, adding that with a smaller budget "I won't have to take out that red pen and line-item veto."
Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial debate
Mar 3, 2016
Robert Marquette:
Fight for sound monetary policy & lower government influence
The first challenger in this year's U.S. Senate race, North Dakota Libertarian Party candidate Robert Marquette, launched his campaign. Marquette, a Fargo resident, is running against Republican Sen. John Hoeven, who is running for a second term."If
elected, I will fight for sound monetary policy, I will shed light on the corruption and cronyism of the entrenched political parties, and I will always work to drastically reduce government's influence in our lives," Marquette said in a press release.
Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota Senate race
Feb 22, 2016
Wayne Stenehjem:
Diversify our economy: drones, fertilizer, & infrastructure
North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said technology as well as building an attractive business climate are key to the state's long-term prosperity. He said advancements in drones is one area that will lead to permanent jobs as will additional
infrastructure, such as a proposed fertilizer plant near Grand Forks. "We are further diversifying our economy," Stenehjem said. "North Dakota to the amazement of many has become one of the best places for young people."
With a growing economy as well as an increasing and younger population, entrepreneurship can thrive, according to Stenehjem, adding that, with the right tax policy and regulatory regimen, the state can attract new businesses and remain strong for decades
Stenehjem said the state can play a role in promoting a strong business climate through incentives and good loan programs among other things. "We really have made some remarkable progress," Stenehjem said.
Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial race
Feb 28, 2016
Wayne Stenehjem:
Rainy day funds and budget cuts work
Discussion of the state's $1.074 billion budget shortfall dominated a large portion of the debate. Candidates were asked what they would've done differently if they were governor in 2015 when the state overshot on its budget forecast with oil prices
already beginning to fall. "I don't know that I would have done anything differently," Stenehjem said, adding that the current rainy day funds and processes for cutting budgets has been in place for decades and have worked.
Last month general fund agencies were ordered to cut 4.05% from their budgets; the rest of the cuts came from rainy day funds and state general fund surplus dollars.Becker, touting his staunch fiscal conservative principles, said he'd have submitted
a far smaller budget to begin with. "We wouldn't have found ourselves in the situation we're in now," Becker said, adding that with a smaller budget "I won't have to take out that red pen and line-item veto."
Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial debate
Mar 3, 2016
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023