Burgum: State of the State is one of Unlimited Promise and Potential

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered his 2018 State of the State Address at Minot State University, reflecting on the state’s challenges and collective accomplishments during his first year in office and outlining strategies to empower people, improve lives and inspire success.
 
“The State of the State is one of unlimited promise and potential, provided that we embrace change, we diversify our economy and we harness the unstoppable forces of technology,” Burgum said uring the address in MSU’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall.
 
The governor highlighted signs that North Dakota is on the upswing after a prolonged downturn in oil and agricultural commodity prices that required the Legislature and governor to reduce the state’s general fund by an unprecedented $1.7 billion. Gross domestic product and taxable sales and purchases are up, and state tax revenues are running slightly ahead of forecast for the 2017-19 biennium.
 
However, a significant revenue gap is likely entering the 2019 legislative session. While the state’s balance sheet is strong, reserves will not be as robust as they were heading into the 2017 session, Burgum noted, so much work lies ahead to match expenses to revenues.

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