Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The Organizational Session for the 66th Legislative Assembly concluded Wednesday, Dec. 5. That session brings all legislators in to the Capitol for training, seminars, committee assignments, and other meetings to prepare us for the 66th Session which begins Jan. 3.
I am honored to be elected Minority Leader of the Senate again. Because the minority party made gains in numbers, I will not be sitting on a committee this session. However, as leader, I can always sit at the table in any committee hearing. I will also have several bills I am sponsoring to bring to committee hearings.
New and re-elected legislators were sworn in and seat selection took place. Some front desk staff were also sworn in. A new President Pro Tempore, Sen. Hogue, was elected in the Senate. The President Pro Tempore presides in the Senate in the absence of the President, who is Lt. Governor Sanford.
Of importance this organization session was emphasis placed on Ethics and a Workplace Harassment Policy that is in effect. The Workplace Harassment Policy is new, and an extensive explanation was provided in a Joint Session with the House.
A highlight of the session was Governor Burgum's budget presentation. The minority caucuses in the Senate and House had a preview with the Governor and his staff late Tuesday evening. The final budget was presented to a Joint Session of the Senate and the House Wednesday morning.
Overall, the Executive Budget is requesting an increase of $300 million over last year's general fund budget of $4.3 billion. The entire budget request is $14.3 billion with $4.6 billion coming from the general fund, $.3 billion from the Legacy Fund interest earnings, $3.7 billion in federal funds, and $5.6 billion in special funds.
The $300 million increases are designated as $135 million to Health and Human Services, $104 million to K-12 education, and $78 million to salaries and benefits. $13 million is other miscellaneous increases throughout the budget.
As the 2019 session begins, the legislature will take these requests into consideration as it works through policy and requests for funds. While Governor Burgum has made his requests known, it will be the legislature through its work who makes the final determination as to policy changes and appropriation of funds.
Following the Organization Session, the Budget Section met. The Budget Section consists of House and Senate Appropriations members and leadership from both chambers. We heard short presentations on agency budgets. Additional information was provided by Moody's Analytics on what the future looks like for North Dakota. The presenter mentioned the work, recession, several times, indicating that if conditions are right, North Dakota could be in a recession in 2019-20.
That concludes this legislative report. I will be providing weekly legislative updates when session begins. You can reach me at [email protected] or by calling (701) 302-0355.
