State of North Dakota Archives: on Budget & Economy
Duane Sand:
Wouldn't have voted to raise the debt ceiling
Sand said a major difference between himself and Berg is that he wouldn't have voted to raise the debt ceiling. "I'm not a go-along-to-get-along politician,"
Sand said. "I'm not going to cave in to poor decisions by Republican leadership in Washington."
Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2012 N.D. Senate debate
May 20, 2012
Heidi Heitkamp:
Quit playing blame game & pass Balanced Budget Amendment
Democrats are failing to slow the nation's growing $16 trillion debt because they won't agree on budget and tax reforms in the Senate, Berg said. Berg said a new, comprehensive federal budget was the best strategy for reining in the growth of the
nation's budget deficits, and that the Democratic-controlled Senate has not approved one in more than three years. "If we're going to solve a family problem, or a small-business problem, the first step is, you need a budget," Berg said. "We need a budget
that comes to closure, so people can see we're going to balance it."
Heitkamp praised a budget plan she said was put forward by Sen. Tom Coburn, a conservative Republican from Oklahoma. She also backs a balanced budget amendment to the US
Constitution, she said. "I think the path forward is, quit playing the blame game. I think it's atrocious we don't have a budget, but I think that the reason why we don't have a budget is because both political parties refuse to solve the problem."
Source: Connecticut Post on 2012 N.D. Senate debate
Oct 25, 2012
John Hoeven:
Improve and expand roads, bridges, airports, rail systems
To maintain the high quality of life we expect in our state, I am working to ensure that we invest in transportation infrastructure and improvements to move people and products safely and efficiently in our communities. As a member of the
Senate Appropriations Committee, I continue to work to improve and expand roads, bridges, airports and rail systems in North Dakota.
Source: 2021 N.D. Senate campaign website hoeven.senate.gov
Jun 24, 2021
John Hoeven:
Government doesn't create jobs, economic growth; people do
For too long, the federal government has stood as an obstacle to economic growth. Government doesn't create jobs and economic growth; people do. The role of government is to remove obstacles and create a positive business climate that
will help spur job creation and economic growth, as we have in North Dakota. If we empower the private sector to invest, innovate and create jobs, we will build a higher standard of living for our citizens.
Source: 2021 N.D. Senate campaign website hoeven.senate.gov
Jun 24, 2021
Michael J. Steele:
Investment in infrastructure will create jobs
I believe that our infrastructure is old and outdated. We have to be vigilant about inspecting and repairing our bridges and roads throughout
North Dakota and the rest of the United States, Moreover, the job that will be created will be considerable close to FDR'S WPA programs of the past.
Source: 2022 N.D.Senate campaign website MichaelJSteeleForSenate.com
Dec 9, 2021
Rick Becker:
Reverse the trend of imprudent & increasing spending
- Decrease Spending: Reverse the trend of imprudent spending that has increased the state budget 135% over the last 10 years.
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Proper Government: Assert state sovereignty; respect property rights.
Source: 2016 N.D. Governor campaign website, BeckerForGovernor.com
Dec 10, 2015
Rick Becker:
The budget must be balanced; wasteful spending must be cut
The single biggest threat to our national security is the ever-increasing national debt. We are in crisis, yet Congress continues to push us further into debt, harming the lives of future generations. The threat of the Federal government
temporarily "closing down" will not deter me from refusing to vote us into further debt and future misery. The budget must be balanced. Wasteful spending must be cut. Long term obligations like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare must be reformed.
Source: 2022 N.D. Senate campaign website RickBecker2022.com
Mar 14, 2022
Rick Berg:
We need a budget that comes to closure, and reins in deficit
Democrats are failing to slow the nation's growing $16 trillion debt because they won't agree on budget and tax reforms in the Senate, Berg said. Berg said a new, comprehensive federal budget was the best strategy for reining in the growth of the
nation's budget deficits, and that the Democratic-controlled Senate has not approved one in more than three years. "If we're going to solve a family problem, or a small-business problem, the first step is, you need a budget," Berg said. "We need a budget
that comes to closure, so people can see we're going to balance it."
Heitkamp praised a budget plan she said was put forward by Sen. Tom Coburn, a conservative Republican from Oklahoma. She also backs a balanced budget amendment to the US
Constitution, she said. "I think the path forward is, quit playing the blame game. I think it's atrocious we don't have a budget, but I think that the reason why we don't have a budget is because both political parties refuse to solve the problem."
Source: Connecticut Post on 2012 N.D. Senate debate
Oct 25, 2012
Tracy Potter:
$700B stimulus spending ok; something needed to be done
The candidates disagreed about the merits of the federal government's $700 billion stimulus package.
Hoeven said he didn't support it "in the form in which it was passed,'' and said it should have focused on tax credits for small businesses and more investment in roads. "The federal government just keeps spending money,''
Hoeven said. "Those jobs that were created will be gone when the federal government money runs out.''Potter said not all the stimulus money was wisely spent, but something needed to be done. He said
Hoeven also believes there were positive impacts because the governor has "cut ribbons'' for stimulus projects all across North Dakota.
"I go to state events when there's state investment,'' Hoeven responded.
Source: Crookston Daily Times coverage of 2010 N.D. Senate Debate
Sep 24, 2010
Doug Burgum:
We've made great progress on our 10-year infrastructure plan
We've made great progress on DOT's 10-year infrastructure plan, investing $318 million so far this biennium to rebuild aging roads and bridges and our executive budget proposes an unprecedented $2.4 billion to accelerate our work.
We can also build on the work done on water infrastructure last session by investing over $600 million to advance flood protection and our regional and critical water supply infrastructure across the state.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.D. legislature
Jan 3, 2023
Merrill Piepkorn:
Budget cuts would discourage communities needing help
For years, agency budgets were gutted because times were lean in North Dakota. Now in a time of state prosperity, Governor Doug Burgum proposes a 3% across the board budget cut.
Nothing could be more discouraging to our public employees, to prospective workers, and to communities that need help with schools and roads.
Source: 2024 N.D. Gubernatorial campaign website Merrill ForND.com
Jun 16, 2024
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026