Governor unveils $14.3B budget, ups state spending 5 percent

[TexasTowelie]

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum unveiled a $14.3 billion budget on Wednesday that hikes state spending 5 percent, a surprising bump from the first-term Republican governor who had long signaled a thriftier proposal.

Burgum said his plan, presented to a joint session of the House and Senate, invests “in our economy, our workforce and the well-being of people” by offering pay raises for state employees and spending increases on education, human services and infrastructure projects.

The two-year spending blueprint also seeks to replenish more than $500 million of the $800 million in reserves that were used to balance previous budgets. The plan does not seek higher sales or income tax rates.

The proposal includes 4 percent raises in the first year of the budget cycle and 2 percent in the second, with a potential for an additional 2 percent if agencies meet efficiency goals. The budget is based on North Dakota oil prices fetching between $50 and $60 a barrel, and production remaining at 1.3 million barrels daily.

Read more: https://apnews.com/5678aa06b0044a498739509d8a9f8b7a

[ROB-ROX]

1. FAKE ECONOMICS

So this little state is basing their budget on OIL. I like the idea of "benefits" (pay increase, projects, etc.) for the people. When the black gold disappears this state will be poor AGAIN. I think this area of the country is lighted at night by oil companies wasting natural gas? The city of San Francisco, CA. has a budget of $9 billion. I think this state is doing nice and it's plans show promise for it's citizens. The state fails to TAX the companies who are making money and only make money in the state.........DAMN REPUBLICANS