Grand Forks\u00a0 (Gov. Burgum’s Office)\u00a0 \u2013 Gov. Doug Burgum Wednesday delivered his 2020 State of the State address, calling for more action to address the state\u2019s workforce shortage, highlighting recent progress on diversifying the economy and making North Dakota a more military-friendly state, and outlining a plan for Legacy Fund earnings that includes investing in property tax relief, infrastructure and transformational projects.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, in North Dakota, the State of the State is strong, growing and full of boundless opportunity,\u201d Burgum said. \u201cBy seizing this opportunity and rejecting self-imposed limitations, our people, our communities and our state can realize their fullest potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Burgum noted the state\u2019s finances have stabilized and reserves are being rebuilt since the state\u2019s rainy-day fund was nearly drained to cover revenue shortfalls. The Budget Stabilization Fund is expected to reach its statutory cap of $726.5 million \u2013 the fund\u2019s highest balance ever \u2013 by the end of the current 2019-21 biennium. And general fund revenues through the first six months of this two-year budget cycle are tracking more than 7 percent, or $102 million, ahead of the forecast in place when legislators adjourned last April.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking together with our legislative partners, we\u2019ve reduced our general fund budget by over $1 billion, increased teacher and state employee pay, made key infrastructure investments, and have done all of this without raising taxes,\u201d Burgum said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In outlining his plan for the state\u2019s Legacy Fund, Burgum proposed investing the fund\u2019s earnings in three key areas \u2013 infrastructure, property tax relief through smart growth incentives, and transformational legacy projects \u2013 with the rest of the earnings being reinvested in the Legacy Fund to grow the principal faster for future generations. The Legacy Fund currently has a balance of nearly $6.8 billion and would grow to over $26 billion by 2033 under a model presented today. Earnings from the fund this biennium could exceed $400 million.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The governor also laid out his criteria for legacy projects and identified one project that meets the criteria: supporting workforce development and choice-ready students through the construction and expansion of career academies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBy investing in infrastructure, transformational projects and property tax relief through smart growth incentives, we can improve the quality of life for all North Dakotans and ensure that our state is well-positioned for the future,\u201d Burgum said, noting the proposed incentive program and a 10-year-old infrastructure plan will be developed over the next 10 months.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
North Dakota\u2019s population has grown by 13 percent since 2010, from approximately 674,000 to an estimated record high of 762,000 people last July, Burgum noted. The governor encouraged strong participation in the upcoming 2020 Census, noting that for every person not counted, the state stands to lose an estimated $19,100 in federal funding over the next decade.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Burgum highlighted efforts to diversify North Dakota\u2019s economy, including the state\u2019s $28 million investment in a first-of-its-kind statewide infrastructure network to allow unmanned aerial vehicles to fly beyond visual line of sight, without a chase plane. The governor also touted progress made on the administration\u2019s five strategic initiatives: Reinventing Government, Transforming Education, Behavioral Health and Addiction, Tribal Partnerships and the Main Street Initiative.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford and University of North Dakota Interim President Dr. Joshua Wynne both provided welcome remarks for the address at the Chester Fritz Auditorium on the University of North Dakota campus, with Wynne calling it a \u201clandmark day\u201d not only for UND but also the Grand Forks area for hosting the State of the State. This was Burgum\u2019s fourth State of the State address since taking office Dec. 15, 2016, and his second outside of the capital city. He delivered his 2018 address at Minot State University. Today\u2019s event was sponsored by the Greater North Dakota Chamber. Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford also delivered welcome remarks.<\/p>\n
Following the event, Burgum planned to meet with Grand Forks city officials to discuss projects and future opportunities and tour the LaGrave on First permanent supportive housing project.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Previously…<\/p>\n
(AP)\u00a0 North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is expected to highlight progress in the past year and remaining challenges in his State of the State address. Burgum will give his speech Wednesday at the University of North Dakota at the Chester Fritz Auditorium in Grand Forks, at 12:30-p.m.<\/p>\n
The governor also will discuss the need to address the state\u2019s ongoing workforce shortage<\/p>\n
Welcome remarks from University of North Dakota Interim President Dr. Joshua Wynne and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford. .<\/p>\n