The Bismarck Tribune - Gubernatorial Candidates Weigh in on Special Session

News Article

By Nick Smith

The Dem-NPL and Libertarian candidates for governor gave sharp rebukes of the budget plan passed during this week's special legislative session, while their Republican opponent was cautiously optimistic.

Rep. Marvin Nelson, D-Rolla, called Senate Bill 2379 a bad business decision by GOP leadership during a Thursday floor session of the House prior to final passage.

"We can't even make a minimal investment in our opioid addiction services," Nelson said of one of several human services programs for which Democrats unsuccessfully lobbied to restore cut funding. "This entire state is in a crisis and people are dropping dead."

He attempted to have the bill re-referred to committee for one last look at funding, but the attempt was swiftly slapped down by the GOP majority.

"There you have it: The Legislature has decided to no longer be the Legislature. We've decided to let the executive branch take care of this. It's our job to appropriate the money. It's our job," Nelson said.

Nelson voted for the bill, which passed the House 82-8.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Burgum, in a statement released late Thursday, struck a more upbeat tone by calling it a positive step that hopefully addresses the state's needs for the rest of the 2015-17 biennium.

"When the Legislature returns in January, additional challenges will need to be faced to ensure we fund our priorities while right-sizing government," he said. "In the near term, the 2017-19 biennium budget constraints will represent an opportunity to create innovative new solutions to old problems. Working together, we can prioritize results and hold the line on how much we are spending."

Libertarian Party candidate Marty Riske slammed lawmakers in a Thursday afternoon statement.

"It is with little surprise that the North Dakota Legislature's special session produced no real reforms," Riske said. "Our state deserves more than just the absolute minimum from our elected officials."

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Gov. Jack Dalrymple, in discussing the plan outlined in SB2379 to reporters on Monday, said it was important to make the case and stick to what was being proposed.

"We're going to be focused on reality this week. We want to be sure legislators understand that we believe this is necessary," he said.

Dalrymple also said prior to the session that the challenge of putting together a budget for the upcoming biennium is about the most difficult he's experienced in his years in the state Capitol, through his time as legislator, lieutenant governor and governor.

House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, delivered a sharp rebuttal to criticism of the GOP plan shortly before the Thursday vote on SB2379.

Carlson said in recent years there have been spirited debates among lawmakers about how much money was to be spent and where, as well as how much was to be stored away for rainy days. He said sitting on large reserves is paying dividends now.

"We were accused of burying cream cans underneath the Capitol full of money and not spending it on programs," Carlson said. "Well, it's darn important we've got that money today. Look at the things we've set aside that kept us from being in a major crisis."

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