Legislative Briefs 
A Legislative Review: Energy heavily supported during 61st Legislative Session
The last weeks of the 61st legislative session were packed with conference committees and the final passage of bills aimed at making the state a better place to live and work.
Around 48 of the 1,121 bills were executive budget recommendations for different state agencies. As lawmakers worked to ultimately balance the state budget, the [...]
Millions Go To School
Because the states’ colleges and universities tie in with the development of a skilled workforce, the education budget bills were weighty ones this past session.
“One of the overriding objectives of the university system is to carry out the expectations of the people, that we are in tune with the workforce needs of the state and [...]
State commerce asks for more than $25 million
Programs like Operation Intern, marketing money for the state tourism division and the state trade office were dependent on Senate Bill 2018, which was the North Dakota Department of Commerce budget bill this legislative session.
“From an economic development standpoint the commerce department budget is a very important one because it helps us create jobs,” said [...]
Al Carlson: Building legislation and constructing homes
House Majority Leader Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo leans over his desk momentarily, waving a hand over a few stacks of papers.
“I’m a pretty orderly guy,” he said. “This is as messy as you’ll ever see it.”
The stacks are small and neat, organizing several thoughts into ideas that can be picked up and sorted through quickly [...]