ndlegchambersBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The special session of the North Dakota Legislature began Tuesday morning at the State Capital in Bismarck.

Majority Republicans and the governor want to complete the session in three days, the minimum time needed to introduce and approve bills.

Governor. Jack Dalrymple told the joint session  that “belt-tightening is the order of the day.”
 
     Dalrymple called the three-day special session this week to address a $310 million shortfall due to depressed farm and commodity prices.
 
     The governor is endorsing a bill crafted with GOP legislative leaders that would make further cuts to government agencies, skim profits from North Dakota’s state-owned bank and use a rainy day fund to make up the shortfall.
 
     Dalrymple told lawmakers that he believes “the people of North Dakota will be supportive of the adjustments you make this session.”
 
    An updated budget forecast predicted tax collections will continue to drop due to depressed oil and farm commodity prices. The forecast says the deficit will swell to $310 million if nothing is done by the time the current budget cycle ends June 30.