Watch a livestream from the FMWF Virtual Legislative Preview Summit, hosted by the FMWF Chamber.
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Photo Courtesy of 2020 Virtual Legislative Preview Summit
Join a panel of North Dakota leaders as they discuss high-priority topics during the kick-off event to the 2020 Virtual Legislative Preview Summit livestream beginning at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14.
Topics include COVID-19 and its impact on health, safety and state and local economies, budetary and funding challenges and opportunities, energy impacts, lignite resources and reimagining state governments.
Panelists include Gov. Doug Burgum, Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman, House Majority Leader Chet Pollert and House Minority Leader Josh Boschee. This discussion is moderated by Blair Thoreson.
Mayor of Minot
Gov. Doug Burgum recently unveiled a $15 billion budget for the next biennium, a proposal that includes a $1.25 billion bonding package that would help fund statewide infrastructure projects.
The budget in its entirety is important, obviously, but let’s focus on the proposed bonding package. Burgum’s budget will be scrutinized by lawmakers when the legislative session begins on Jan. 5, and is certain to undergo changes before it’s approved. Republican and Democrat lawmakers have both said they will introduce their own bonding proposals when lawmakers convene in Bismarck.
A similar discussion took place at the 2019 legislative session around creating a low-interest loan fund that counties, cities, and other political subdivisions could use to fund large infrastructure projects. Ultimately, lawmakers rejected the proposal in 2019. Collectively, we knew the issue would be back for discussion in the 2021 session.