calculatorBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple is endorsing a bill that would impose further cuts to government agencies and drain a rainy day fund to make up for a $310 budget shortfall due to depressed agriculture and oil prices.
 
     The bill outlined Monday by Dalrymple and state budget director Pam Sharp also would take $100 million in profits from the state-owned Bank of North Dakota to help offset the projected shortfall.
 
     Dalrymple has been crafting the bill with GOP legislative leaders over the past few weeks. It will be considered when lawmakers return Tuesday for a three-day special session that was summoned by Dalrymple.
 
     The governor says he and the GOP-controlled Legislature “have faith” the measure will pass.

Dalrymple Monday directed the state’s General Fund agencies to reduce their 2015-2017 budgets by an additional 2.5 percent to help offset a projected $310 million budget shortfall.