North Dakota Legislature Convenes for Special Session to Resolve Budget Crisis, Governor Burgum Proposes $91M Income Tax Cut

Special session called after State Supreme Court finds budget bill unconstitutional, agenda fails to consider Governor's tax cut proposal drawn from $288 million surplus.

• The North Dakota Legislature convenes for a special session following the state Supreme Court's ruling that a major budget bill is unconstitutional. The bill aimed to fund the state Office of Management and Budget but was found to violate the constitution's single-subject requirement for bills.
• The governor, Doug Burgum, called the special session after the court refused to delay its decision, creating an urgent need for legislative action.
• The invalidated bill included state government funds transfers, K-12 education aid, a special criminal penalty for supplying drugs that result in overdose deaths and injuries, and plans for transitioning the state's public employee pension plan to a 401(k)-style plan.
• The legislatures aim to resurrect the budget bill with 14 drafts that will cover the agenda of the voided legislation, hoping to correct the situation before the next payroll date for state employees on November 1.
• Governor Burgum has proposed a $91 million income tax cut from a $288 million surplus of the previous two-year budget. Despite being disappointed that his proposal isn't included in the GOP legislative leaders' agenda for the session, Burgum calls for its reconsideration.

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