BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The Latest on the North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s State of the State address (all times local):
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12:30 p.m.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum says budget challenges still exist a year after he took office despite an uptick in the state’s economy.
Burgum gave his second State of the State speech Tuesday at Minot State University. The first-term Republican governor was short on policy specifics during his nearly 90-minute speech and instead focused much of his address on his first year in office.
Burgum says interest from North Dakota’s oil tax savings account may have to be tapped in the future to balance the state’s budget. But he says the earnings should be only used on initiatives that have long-term benefits to the state.
He gave no specifics but challenged North Dakotans to come up with innovative ideas to achieve that.
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8:56 a.m.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum says the state’s economy is rebounding but more cuts likely will be needed to state government in the future.
Burgum gave his second State of the State speech Tuesday at Minot State University.
The first-term Republican governor took office amid a sharp downturn in tax revenues due to prolonged slumps in oil and agriculture prices. The state’s budget was balanced last year through raids on state savings, layoffs and other measures of austerity.
Burgum says the economy has improved but he cautioned that more cost-cutting measures likely will be needed when the Legislature reconvenes next year.
It’s the first such address by a governor in non-legislative session year since former Gov. John Hoeven did so in 2002.
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