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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – North Dakota Legislators return to Bismarck for the second half of the 2017 Legislative Session on March 1st.

State Senator Larry Robinson of Valley City said the second half of the session is expected to be intense. At the forefront will be the state’s budget challenge. Revenue has been a key issue for the first half of the session. Budgets have been cut to respond to a 1 billion dollar hole in the revenue base caused by low energy prices in the west, and weak agricultural commodity prices statewide. Tax reductions over the past four legislative sessions have also contributed to the decline in revenue.

At this point and time in the session, it appears that we will be able to hold harmless funding for K-12 education, thanks to the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund. The fund was established years ago to  protect K-12 education during times of a downturn in the economy.

Robinson said, we will be challenged to fund all other agencies of the state government. Most budgets have been reduced by at least 15% of the current spending levels. In the case of higher education, we are looking at a 20% reduction. The university system statewide has already reduced employee counts by 396. Further reductions statewide are expected. Tuition for university students is expected to increase by a minimum of 3% for each year for the next two year budget cycle.

The budget for the North Dakota Veteran’s Home in Lisbon has been approved by the  Senate and now heads to the House of Representatives. Thanks to a reserve in the  “Solders Home”, there was no need to make significant reductions to he budget.

The Legislature will receive an up to date budget forecast for the next two year time period on March 9th. That will be a very important forecast and will allow us to finalize budgets and move toward the end of the 2017 Legislative Session.

Our next Legislative Forum is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th at 9:00 a.m. at the Hi-Liner Activity Center. We will be in Enderlin at  the City Hall on March 11th and Litchville on March 18th.  The forums begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 11:00 a.m. We hope you will join us for these events. Until then, I can be reached at lrobinson@nd.gov

Remember to enjoy the activities and events during the 80th Annual North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City March 4-11. See you at the Winter Show!

Larry Robinson

District 24

State Senator