BISMARCK, N.D. (Aug. 31, 2017) – Gov. Doug Burgum today emphasized the need for dialogue with Native American tribes in North Dakota and a commitment to finding workable solutions grounded in respect and understanding as he led the first meeting of the interim Tribal Taxation Issues Committee.
“We are grateful to the tribal chairmen, legislative leaders and executive branch leaders who are participating in conversations that are important to all people across our state, and to attracting talent and capital to strengthen all of North Dakota’s communities.” Burgum said in the Capitol’s Brynhild Haugland Room. “This underscores our commitment to working towards solutions through collaboration and communication.”
The committee’s voting members include House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo; Senator Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson; House Minority Leader Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks; Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman, D-New Rockford; Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier; and Sen. Dwight Cook, R-Mandan.
Additional members include Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Scott Davis, Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger, and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford. The committee is chaired by Burgum. This is the first time an interim committee on tribal relations has included both legislative leadership and the governor.
The daylong meeting included an overview by Rauschenberger of tribal taxation agreements, followed by presentations and discussion about taxation issues with leaders from each of the four tribal nations headquartered in North Dakota: the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, known as the Three Affiliated Tribes; the Spirit Lake Tribe; the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Representatives from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribe were also in attendance.
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