Majority and minority leaders of the North Dakota Senate and House weighed in on a recently unveiled state budget this morning at the Eggs and Issues event hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber.
The majority of the discussion focused on North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum's budget plan for the upcoming two-year cycle, which he outlined last week.
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, applauded the governor's decision to allocate $30 million into the Unmanned Aircraft System for tracking "systems", saying it will be a good extension to the workforce and provide quality jobs.
However, he was critical of the governor's decision to increase "provider reimbursement" in the health care system by just 1 percent each year.
"The bottom line is they have a hard time hiring. And if they don't get some type of an increase, at least 3 percent, they're not going to be able to hire people," Wardner said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The new session will begin Jan. 3. Other legislators at the event included House Majority Leader Chet Pollert, R-Carrington, Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman, D-New Rockford, and House Minority Leader Josh Boschee, D-Fargo.
