News

The state Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a better-than-expected revised revenue forecast, putting the state in a strong position to achieve a fiscally conservative budget that holds the line on general fund spending, invests in priorities and maintains healthy reserves, all without raising taxes, Gov. Doug Burgum said.

The oil and natural gas industry in North Dakota accounted for more than $40 billion in gross business volume, nearly 60,000 jobs and over $3.8 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2019, according to one of two new studies that highlight the industry’s substantial impact on North Dakota’s economy.

Gov. Doug Burgum successfully underwent hip replacement surgery on Friday, March 12.

Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement as March 11, 2021, marks one year since the first COVID-19 case was identified in North Dakota.

Gov. Doug Burgum received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as North Dakota reached another pandemic milestone with all counties now having health care providers serving the Phase 1C vaccine priority group.

With over 85 percent of North Dakota’s long-term care residents now fully vaccinated for COVID-19, Gov. Doug Burgum announced that the state will shift from state-driven guidance to locally driven decisions in basic care and assisted living facilities, while also providing testing supplies to all long-term care facilities as they transition to a post-vaccination phase.

Gov. Doug Burgum signed his first bill of the 2021 legislative session, extending a pilot program that aims to ensure all justice-involved, at-risk tribal and non-tribal youth have access to similar services.

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Dr. Nizar Wehbi to serve as North Dakota’s State Health Officer, effective May 1. Wehbi currently serves as deputy director of the Center for Health Policy and assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed James Leiman to serve as state Commerce Commissioner, citing his extensive background in enhancing organizations and his effective leadership as the North Dakota Department of Commerce’s director of Economic Development and Finance (ED&F) since March 2018.

Gov. Doug Burgum participated in the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting, held in a virtual format, including a session with President Joe Biden that focused on pandemic response and ongoing efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to every U.S. state and territory.