Senate Democratic Caucus
End of Week Report (Week 8)
February 27, 2009
Although the thermometer and that ever-present snow shovel still say winter, last week was spring in the state Legislature. Old bills faded into memory and others were blooming anew. It was like a turning of the seasons because, earlier this month, each chamber had to meet its deadline to be finished with its own bills and send them over to the opposite chamber. That’s a Legislature-speak sort of way to say that Senators are now getting their first look at House bills and House members are getting their first look at Senate bills.
The Senate passed 342 bills over to the House, while the House passed 401 bills over to the Senate. The biggest task of the second half will be building a budget, a task that is complicated by uncertainty around the revenue forecasts because of uncertainty surrounding the economic situation. Should the Legislature be cutting taxes? Should we be giving our universities a funding increase? What if we do these things and the revenues don’t materialize? These are the questions that will have to be answered.
In other matters:
--SB 2025, a bill to fund a new veteran’s home in Lisbon, passed the House this week and is expected to be signed by Gov. John Hoeven. The bill appropriates $14.4 million for the state share of building the new veterans home. The federal government is kicking in $14.6 million towards the project. Although the funding bill was rushed through the process, there are still many unresolved issues surrounding construction of the new veteran’s home. Lawmakers will still have to decide the appropriate level of staffing for the veteran’s home, whether they should landscape it immediately or delay this to save money, and whether a geothermal heating system should be installed. Such a system would have a higher upfront cost, but would be both more environmentally effective and more cost effective over the long term.
--Sen. Tim Mathern, (D-11 Fargo) announced he’s going to be organizing a healthcare caucus within the State Legislature. Mathern said the caucus is especially necessary now that President Barack Obama is in office, clearing the way for major reform in healthcare for our state and our nation. Mathern said he will be organizing the caucus to brainstorm ways that North Dakota can participate and benefit from this trend in the coming years. More details should be available next week.
--SCR 4017, a concurrent resolution proposed by Sen. Tom Fiebiger (D-45 Fargo), and Carolyn Nelson, (D-21 Fargo), would have called for a study of state government facility use. The study was put forward due to concerns that the state is spending too much money renting privately owned facilities to house state government offices. This also leads to inefficiency by having departments scattered among different buildings rather than in one location. The resolution was defeated Friday, but the door was left open for such a concept to be incorporated into future bills.
Some bills that Senators will have to consider:
----HB 1487 requiring the Legislature to appropriate any federal stimulus money that comes North Dakota’s way. Now that the stimulus bill passed Congress and has been signed by President Obama, the allocation of North Dakota’s share will likely be a big issue in the second half of the session. Senators will have to decide whether to also back this bill, which will give the Legislature more say in how any stimulus money is spent. The flip side is this could come at the expense of the projects being implemented in a timely manner.
--HB 1324, a state stimulus check program combined with a delayed income tax cut. The bill proposes offering stimulus checks this May to North Dakota residents in the amount of one third of their 2007 state income tax liability. This would cost about $100 million. The bill also implements an income tax rate cut that’s set to begin in 2011. Senators will have to decide if they want to cut income taxes and if this is the best vehicle through which to do it.
--HB 1572 defines a fertilized egg as a human being and, if made law, sets North Dakota up for a direct court challenge to the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion. It will no doubt be the cause of much controversy in the second half of the session.
The bill passed the House last week. If the Senate passes it and Gov. John Hoeven signs it into law, it could set the state up for a costly and drawn-out challenge in the Supreme Court. Because of these national implications, it has been getting national attention, with prominent reports on Fox News and in the Washington Times.
Senators will have to weigh the potential cost to the state and their personal beliefs about abortions in deciding whether North Dakota should go forward with this measure.
--HB 1348 would allow college students to have concealed weapons in campus apartments and parking garages. The bill, as passed by the House, falls short of allowing students to carry concealed weapons on their person when walking on campus. The bill passed with the minimum 48 House members required to pass a bill in that chamber. Senators will have to decide whether the freedom and self-protection benefits of allowing gun ownership on campus outweighs the public safety concerns surrounding such a law change.
Professor Emeritus -- Dr. Tom Seymour from West Fargo, North Dakota -- Professor, Minot State University, MSU Faculty Regents Award (2015) -- PAST Peer Reviewer (Higher Learning Commission - Chicago); - Author and Presenter Board of Directors, SRT Communications, Inc and Minot City Alderman - Ward 5 (2010-June, 2016) PAST - Editor-in-Chief (North Dakota State Senator (2002-2010) 2017-Cass County Electric Cooperative- Board of Directors
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Ideas for the Education Stimulus Legislation
ED REVIEW
February 27, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
ARRA SIGNED
On February 17, in Denver, President Obama signed into law the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). "What I am signing is a balanced plan with a mix of tax cuts and investments," he said. "It is a plan that's been put together without earmarks or the usual pork barrel spending. And, it is a plan that will be implemented with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability." Specifically, he continued, "We're making the largest investment in education in our nation's history" (see more below). "It's an investment that will create jobs building 21st Century classrooms and libraries and labs for millions of children across America. It will provide funds to train a new generation of math and science teachers, while giving aid to states and school districts to stop teachers from being laid off and education programs from being cut." More generally, he concluded, "Our American story is not -- and has never been -- about things coming easy. It is about rising to the moment when the moment is hard, converting crisis into opportunity, and seeing to it that we emerge from whatever trials we face stronger than we were before." FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/17/signed-sealed-delivered-ARRA/.
Back in Washington, D.C., Secretary Duncan echoed many of the President's remarks, calling the ARRA a "historic opportunity to create jobs and advance education reform." Then, two days later (February 19), he visited Explore Charter School in Brooklyn, New York. "States are hurting, and schools across America are facing catastrophic cuts," he noted. "We need to invest this money quickly, thoughtfully, and transparently to protect kids, create jobs, and drive reforms." Anticipating as many as 14,000 teacher layoffs next school year, New York City officials said the ARRA, with cooperation from the state, could avert "most" of those cuts. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/02/02182009.html AND http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/02/02192009.html.
The ARRA contains more than $100 billion in direct education funding for the next two fiscal years and
$39 billion in bonding authority and tax credits, including:
$13 billion for Title I, Part A grants to states ($10 billion) and school improvement grants ($3 billion);
$12.2 billion for special education grants to states ($11.3 billion), preschool grants ($400 million), and grants for infants and families ($500 million);
$650 million for education technology grants;
$300 million for teacher quality, with $200 million for the Teacher Incentive Fund and $100 million for Teacher Quality Partnership Grants;
$70 million for the education of homeless children and youth;
$17.1 billion (both discretionary and mandatory funding) to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $500, to $5,350 in 2009;
$200 million for the Work-Study Program;
$60 million to help the Department administer surging student financial aid programs while navigating the evolving student loan environment;
$680 million for state vocational rehabilitation grants to states and independent living grants;
$250 million for statewide data systems;
$100 million for Impact Aid school construction;
$2.1 billion for Head Start ($1 billion) and Early Head Start ($1.1 billion) and $2 billion for child care development grants, through the Department of Health and Human Services;
$53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, of which the Secretary will reserve $4.35 billion for state incentive grants (awarding states that most aggressively pursue higher standards, quality assessments, robust data systems, and teacher quality initiatives) and $650 million for an innovation fund (awarding school districts and consortia of districts and non-profits with strong records of improving student achievement). Of the remaining funds, at least 81.8% ($39.75 billion) is committed to support K-12 and higher education (distributed through existing formulas), and up to 18.2% ($8.85 billion) is slated for public safety and other government services (which may involve education, such as K-12 and higher education facility renovation and modernization);
$25.2 billion in bonding authority for states and districts to issue bonds over the next 10 years for K-12 facility renovation and modernization, to be retired through a combination of local, state, and federal funds (see also http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/modernization/); and
$13.8 billion to boost the tuition tax credit from $1,800 to $2,500 (for families earning up to $180,000).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/. (Note: Currently, the web site offers a press release, a general fact sheet, and links to budget information, including preliminary state-by-state allocations for many formula-based ARRA programs and district-by-district allocations for the Title I program. It also offers a "video statement" by Secretary Arne Duncan. Additional information on the ARRA will be posted on the site as it becomes available.)
______________________________________________________________________
ARRA OUTREACH
Over the last week, to kick-start ARRA implementation, President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary Duncan hosted mayors, governors, and Chief State School Officers for frank discussions on the act. First, on February 20, they hosted 85 mayors in the East Room of the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/20/on-the-front-lines/). "You're on the front line in our communities," the President asserted. "You know what happens when folks get laid off… And, as your services stretch, your classrooms get crowded, and your streets grow less safe, your budgets shrink. You cannot deficit spend, so you face impossible choices…. And that's why the recovery plan we put into action this week is so important." Then, on February 23, they hosted most of the nation's governors (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/23/help-is-on-the-way/). "You are innovators, and much of the work that you've done has already made a lasting impact and change in people's lives," the President stated. "You shouldn't be succeeding despite Washington. You should be succeeding with a hand from Washington, and that's what we intend to give you in this administration. In return, we'll expect a lot from you as the hard work of making the recovery plan's promise a reality begins." Finally, on February 25, Vice President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, and Secretary Duncan hosted the nation's Chief State School Officers, pledging collaboration and partnership in pursuing both recovery and reform.
Note: The next "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast, elaborating on the ARRA, is scheduled for March 17 (8:00 p.m. ET). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/edtv/.
______________________________________________________________________
RECOVERY.GOV
The Recovery.gov web site (http://www.recovery.gov/) is now live. The mission of this site is three-fold: education (explain the ARRA), transparency (show how, when, and where ARRA money is spent), and accountability (supply data that will allow citizens to evaluate the act's progress -- and submit feedback). There are already projections -- based on ARRA language -- of the effect on jobs state-by-state (see also http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/white-house-releases-state-by-state-numbers-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-to-save-or-create-35-million-jobs/). Also online is a memorandum by Peter Orszag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, detailing to agencies what is expected of them and offering advice for how to meet high standards. Again, further information will be posted on the site as it becomes available.
______________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
Shifting his attention from reviving the economy in the short-term to restoring the economy in the long-term, President Obama highlighted education as one of three areas (along with energy and health care) "absolutely critical to our economic future" during a February 24 address to a joint session of Congress. Below are relevant excerpts:
"In a global economy, where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity -- it is a pre-requisite. Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma, and yet just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation. And half of the students who begin college never finish. This is a prescription for economic decline, because we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow. That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete, competitive education -- from the day they are born to the day they begin a career."
"Already, we have made a historic investment in education through the economy recovery plan…. But, we know that our schools don't just need more resources. They need more reform. That is why this budget creates new incentives for teacher performance: pathways for advancement and rewards for success. We will invest in innovative programs that are already helping schools meet high standards and close achievement gaps. And, we will expand our commitment to charter schools."
"It's our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But, it's the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But, whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country -- and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a brand new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world."
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/remarks-of-president-barack-obama-address-to-joint-session-of-congress/.
______________________________________________________________________
FY 2010 BUDGET
Yesterday (February 26), in a conference call with the media, Secretary Duncan spotlighted a number of higher education provisions in the Department's proposed Fiscal Year 2010 budget request that would dramatically expand student financial aid while making it simpler, more reliable, and more efficient. "We need to invest in our economic future and enable our kids to compete in today's global environment," he said. "The new funding announced today represents a significant expansion of our federal student aid programs, providing more dollars to allow more students to attend more schools." The provisions would:
Guarantee funding for the federal Pell Grant program and ensure that grant amounts would keep pace with inflation. By making funding mandatory, the Pell Grant program would no longer be subject to the discretionary budget process, would eliminate uncertainty in funding from year to year, and would ensure that the grants reflect cost of living increases. Beginning in 2010-11, the Pell Grant maximum would be indexed to the consumer price index, plus 1%, ensuring that Pell Grant awards would meet their original objective to cover a substantial percentage of college costs.
Make college loans reliable, stable, and efficient, eliminating the uncertainty families have experienced due to the turmoil of the financial markets. New student and parent loans would be furnished directly from the federal government through the same electronic system colleges use for Pell Grants. Taxpayers would save more than $4 billion a year in reduced entitlement subsidies, and the funds could be reinvested in more aid to students seeking a higher education.
Restructure and expand the federal Perkins Loan program to ensure that all institutions can take part in the program. The revised program would offer $6 billion in loans every year, a significant increase from the current $1 billion in funding. Funds would reward schools that provide more need-based aid to students and that maintain reasonable student costs relative to other schools in their sector.
Other sections of the FY 2010 budget request focus on early childhood programs, stronger standards and assessments, more effective teaching and school leadership, scaling up success, and helping students finish college. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget10/.
______________________________________________________________________
PRACTICE GUIDE: READING
A new practice guide from the What Works Clearinghouse, "Assisting Students with Reading: Response to Intervention (RtI) and Multi-Tier Intervention in the Primary Grades," offers five specific recommendations to help educators identify struggling readers and implement evidence-based strategies to promote their reading achievement. Teachers and other specialists can utilize these strategies to implement RtI and multi-tier intervention frameworks and methods at the classroom or school level. The suggestions cover how to screen students for reading problems, design a multi-tier intervention program, adjust instruction to help struggling readers, and monitor student progress. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/#rti_reading_pg.
Also: Speaking of reading, the National Education Association's Read Across America (http://www.nea.org/readacross/) calls for every child, in every community, to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
______________________________________________________________________
QUOTE TO NOTE
"[Our] education policies will open the doors of opportunity for our children. But, it is up to us to ensure they walk through them. In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a mother or father who will attend parent/teacher conferences, or help with homework after dinner, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, and read to their child. I speak to you not just as a President but as a father, when I say that responsibility for our children's education must begin at home."
-- President Barack Obama (2/24/09), from his address to Congress
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nominations are being accepted for the 2009 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. This year's award will recognize three individuals who address the connection of education and innovation in one of three broad categories: PK-12-focused school and community programs, teacher training and professional development, and policy at all levels of government. The deadline for nominations (which can be completed online) is March 20. Recipients will be honored at a dinner in New York City this fall and will each receive $25,000. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/prize/.
March 13-16, the Department will exhibit at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's Annual Conference, titled "Learning Beyond Boundaries," in Orlando, Florida. If you are attending this event, please stop by the Department's booth.
______________________________________________________________________
Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user's convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
February 27, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
ARRA SIGNED
On February 17, in Denver, President Obama signed into law the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). "What I am signing is a balanced plan with a mix of tax cuts and investments," he said. "It is a plan that's been put together without earmarks or the usual pork barrel spending. And, it is a plan that will be implemented with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability." Specifically, he continued, "We're making the largest investment in education in our nation's history" (see more below). "It's an investment that will create jobs building 21st Century classrooms and libraries and labs for millions of children across America. It will provide funds to train a new generation of math and science teachers, while giving aid to states and school districts to stop teachers from being laid off and education programs from being cut." More generally, he concluded, "Our American story is not -- and has never been -- about things coming easy. It is about rising to the moment when the moment is hard, converting crisis into opportunity, and seeing to it that we emerge from whatever trials we face stronger than we were before." FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/17/signed-sealed-delivered-ARRA/.
Back in Washington, D.C., Secretary Duncan echoed many of the President's remarks, calling the ARRA a "historic opportunity to create jobs and advance education reform." Then, two days later (February 19), he visited Explore Charter School in Brooklyn, New York. "States are hurting, and schools across America are facing catastrophic cuts," he noted. "We need to invest this money quickly, thoughtfully, and transparently to protect kids, create jobs, and drive reforms." Anticipating as many as 14,000 teacher layoffs next school year, New York City officials said the ARRA, with cooperation from the state, could avert "most" of those cuts. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/02/02182009.html AND http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/02/02192009.html.
The ARRA contains more than $100 billion in direct education funding for the next two fiscal years and
$39 billion in bonding authority and tax credits, including:
$13 billion for Title I, Part A grants to states ($10 billion) and school improvement grants ($3 billion);
$12.2 billion for special education grants to states ($11.3 billion), preschool grants ($400 million), and grants for infants and families ($500 million);
$650 million for education technology grants;
$300 million for teacher quality, with $200 million for the Teacher Incentive Fund and $100 million for Teacher Quality Partnership Grants;
$70 million for the education of homeless children and youth;
$17.1 billion (both discretionary and mandatory funding) to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $500, to $5,350 in 2009;
$200 million for the Work-Study Program;
$60 million to help the Department administer surging student financial aid programs while navigating the evolving student loan environment;
$680 million for state vocational rehabilitation grants to states and independent living grants;
$250 million for statewide data systems;
$100 million for Impact Aid school construction;
$2.1 billion for Head Start ($1 billion) and Early Head Start ($1.1 billion) and $2 billion for child care development grants, through the Department of Health and Human Services;
$53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, of which the Secretary will reserve $4.35 billion for state incentive grants (awarding states that most aggressively pursue higher standards, quality assessments, robust data systems, and teacher quality initiatives) and $650 million for an innovation fund (awarding school districts and consortia of districts and non-profits with strong records of improving student achievement). Of the remaining funds, at least 81.8% ($39.75 billion) is committed to support K-12 and higher education (distributed through existing formulas), and up to 18.2% ($8.85 billion) is slated for public safety and other government services (which may involve education, such as K-12 and higher education facility renovation and modernization);
$25.2 billion in bonding authority for states and districts to issue bonds over the next 10 years for K-12 facility renovation and modernization, to be retired through a combination of local, state, and federal funds (see also http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/modernization/); and
$13.8 billion to boost the tuition tax credit from $1,800 to $2,500 (for families earning up to $180,000).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/. (Note: Currently, the web site offers a press release, a general fact sheet, and links to budget information, including preliminary state-by-state allocations for many formula-based ARRA programs and district-by-district allocations for the Title I program. It also offers a "video statement" by Secretary Arne Duncan. Additional information on the ARRA will be posted on the site as it becomes available.)
______________________________________________________________________
ARRA OUTREACH
Over the last week, to kick-start ARRA implementation, President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary Duncan hosted mayors, governors, and Chief State School Officers for frank discussions on the act. First, on February 20, they hosted 85 mayors in the East Room of the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/20/on-the-front-lines/). "You're on the front line in our communities," the President asserted. "You know what happens when folks get laid off… And, as your services stretch, your classrooms get crowded, and your streets grow less safe, your budgets shrink. You cannot deficit spend, so you face impossible choices…. And that's why the recovery plan we put into action this week is so important." Then, on February 23, they hosted most of the nation's governors (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/23/help-is-on-the-way/). "You are innovators, and much of the work that you've done has already made a lasting impact and change in people's lives," the President stated. "You shouldn't be succeeding despite Washington. You should be succeeding with a hand from Washington, and that's what we intend to give you in this administration. In return, we'll expect a lot from you as the hard work of making the recovery plan's promise a reality begins." Finally, on February 25, Vice President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, and Secretary Duncan hosted the nation's Chief State School Officers, pledging collaboration and partnership in pursuing both recovery and reform.
Note: The next "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast, elaborating on the ARRA, is scheduled for March 17 (8:00 p.m. ET). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/edtv/.
______________________________________________________________________
RECOVERY.GOV
The Recovery.gov web site (http://www.recovery.gov/) is now live. The mission of this site is three-fold: education (explain the ARRA), transparency (show how, when, and where ARRA money is spent), and accountability (supply data that will allow citizens to evaluate the act's progress -- and submit feedback). There are already projections -- based on ARRA language -- of the effect on jobs state-by-state (see also http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/white-house-releases-state-by-state-numbers-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act-to-save-or-create-35-million-jobs/). Also online is a memorandum by Peter Orszag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, detailing to agencies what is expected of them and offering advice for how to meet high standards. Again, further information will be posted on the site as it becomes available.
______________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
Shifting his attention from reviving the economy in the short-term to restoring the economy in the long-term, President Obama highlighted education as one of three areas (along with energy and health care) "absolutely critical to our economic future" during a February 24 address to a joint session of Congress. Below are relevant excerpts:
"In a global economy, where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity -- it is a pre-requisite. Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma, and yet just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation. And half of the students who begin college never finish. This is a prescription for economic decline, because we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow. That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete, competitive education -- from the day they are born to the day they begin a career."
"Already, we have made a historic investment in education through the economy recovery plan…. But, we know that our schools don't just need more resources. They need more reform. That is why this budget creates new incentives for teacher performance: pathways for advancement and rewards for success. We will invest in innovative programs that are already helping schools meet high standards and close achievement gaps. And, we will expand our commitment to charter schools."
"It's our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But, it's the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But, whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country -- and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a brand new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world."
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/remarks-of-president-barack-obama-address-to-joint-session-of-congress/.
______________________________________________________________________
FY 2010 BUDGET
Yesterday (February 26), in a conference call with the media, Secretary Duncan spotlighted a number of higher education provisions in the Department's proposed Fiscal Year 2010 budget request that would dramatically expand student financial aid while making it simpler, more reliable, and more efficient. "We need to invest in our economic future and enable our kids to compete in today's global environment," he said. "The new funding announced today represents a significant expansion of our federal student aid programs, providing more dollars to allow more students to attend more schools." The provisions would:
Guarantee funding for the federal Pell Grant program and ensure that grant amounts would keep pace with inflation. By making funding mandatory, the Pell Grant program would no longer be subject to the discretionary budget process, would eliminate uncertainty in funding from year to year, and would ensure that the grants reflect cost of living increases. Beginning in 2010-11, the Pell Grant maximum would be indexed to the consumer price index, plus 1%, ensuring that Pell Grant awards would meet their original objective to cover a substantial percentage of college costs.
Make college loans reliable, stable, and efficient, eliminating the uncertainty families have experienced due to the turmoil of the financial markets. New student and parent loans would be furnished directly from the federal government through the same electronic system colleges use for Pell Grants. Taxpayers would save more than $4 billion a year in reduced entitlement subsidies, and the funds could be reinvested in more aid to students seeking a higher education.
Restructure and expand the federal Perkins Loan program to ensure that all institutions can take part in the program. The revised program would offer $6 billion in loans every year, a significant increase from the current $1 billion in funding. Funds would reward schools that provide more need-based aid to students and that maintain reasonable student costs relative to other schools in their sector.
Other sections of the FY 2010 budget request focus on early childhood programs, stronger standards and assessments, more effective teaching and school leadership, scaling up success, and helping students finish college. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget10/.
______________________________________________________________________
PRACTICE GUIDE: READING
A new practice guide from the What Works Clearinghouse, "Assisting Students with Reading: Response to Intervention (RtI) and Multi-Tier Intervention in the Primary Grades," offers five specific recommendations to help educators identify struggling readers and implement evidence-based strategies to promote their reading achievement. Teachers and other specialists can utilize these strategies to implement RtI and multi-tier intervention frameworks and methods at the classroom or school level. The suggestions cover how to screen students for reading problems, design a multi-tier intervention program, adjust instruction to help struggling readers, and monitor student progress. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/#rti_reading_pg.
Also: Speaking of reading, the National Education Association's Read Across America (http://www.nea.org/readacross/) calls for every child, in every community, to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
______________________________________________________________________
QUOTE TO NOTE
"[Our] education policies will open the doors of opportunity for our children. But, it is up to us to ensure they walk through them. In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a mother or father who will attend parent/teacher conferences, or help with homework after dinner, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, and read to their child. I speak to you not just as a President but as a father, when I say that responsibility for our children's education must begin at home."
-- President Barack Obama (2/24/09), from his address to Congress
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nominations are being accepted for the 2009 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. This year's award will recognize three individuals who address the connection of education and innovation in one of three broad categories: PK-12-focused school and community programs, teacher training and professional development, and policy at all levels of government. The deadline for nominations (which can be completed online) is March 20. Recipients will be honored at a dinner in New York City this fall and will each receive $25,000. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/prize/.
March 13-16, the Department will exhibit at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's Annual Conference, titled "Learning Beyond Boundaries," in Orlando, Florida. If you are attending this event, please stop by the Department's booth.
______________________________________________________________________
Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user's convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
North Dakota Legislative Activity.........
Key Hearings Held Feb. 25-27
SB 2003 – Support
The North Dakota University System gave an overview of SB 2003, its appropriation bill, to the full House Appropriations Committee Feb. 25. This bill contains $696,000 of continued funds for the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program. SB 2003 originally included policy language and $2.7 million (additional $2 million from 2007-09) for expansion of the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program to make it available to students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It would also increase the maximum amount and duration of loan forgiveness from $1,000 for up to three years to $2,000 for up to five years. The policy language was initially amended out of 2003 and placed in SB 2226. It was then amended into SB 2062, and SB 2226 was killed. The appropriation was reduced by $1 million by the Senate, for a total of $1.7 million, and is now split between SB 2003 ($696,000) and SB 2062 ($1 million). ITCND will support this bill at its hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee on March 2.
SB 2016 – Support
SB 2016 was heard before the House Appropriations-Education Committee Feb. 26. This bill is the Job Service North Dakota appropriation. It includes $1.5 million for Workforce 20/20, $200,000 for the spidering program and authorization for New Jobs Training. ITCND supported this bill at its hearing.
SB 2018 – Support
SB 2018 is the North Dakota Department of Commerce appropriation, which includes funding for Operation Intern and Innovate ND. The Department of Commerce gave an overview on the status of the bill to the full House Appropriations Committee Feb. 25. No testimony was given as the bill will be heard before the House Appropriations-Government Operations Committee on March 3. SB 2018 includes $350,000 (increase of $200,000) to expand the Innovate ND program and $1.2 million (increase of $600,000) for the Operation Intern program.
SB 2019 – Support
SB 2019 was heard before the House Appropriations-Education Committee Feb. 26. This bill is the ND Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE) appropriation. It includes $800,000 for the virtual area career and technical education centers (CTE requested an additional $400,000). These centers offer IT courses to students who previously did not have access to them, and each center is required to offer at least two credits of IT coursework to all students in member schools. The bill also provides $1.8 million to increase funding to schools for career and technical education programs (CTE requested an additional $1.2 million). This is important due to the high cost of equipment for these courses and increased staffing needs due to smaller class requirements for lab settings. This provides an incentive for additional schools to add CTE courses, including IT, to their curriculum. It also includes $400,000 to increase the number of career resource coordinators and career advisors. These individuals would assist in providing information to students and educators on the IT cluster. Attached is the testimony of Deana Wiese in support of SB 2019.
SB 2021 – Support
The North Dakota Information Technology Department (ITD) gave an overview of its appropriation bill, SB 2021, to the full House Appropriations Committee Feb. 25. It includes $2.4 million to deploy the longitudinal database system (LDS), an information gathering system for education, workforce training, advising, job placement and policy making. The Senate switched the funding source for the LDS from general to special funds asking ITD to use federal stimulus dollars if available. SB 2021 also contains an additional $2 million (over the 2007-09 biennium) for the K-12 network. This includes a $600,000 one-time investment for new or enhanced video conferencing hardware and $1.2 million to increase the bandwidth for all K-12 schools from 1.5 MB to 10 MB. ITCND will support this bill at its House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on March 3.
Hearing Schedule and Status Report (March 2-6)
The hearing schedule and status of bills being tracked by ITCND are attached. We will not be offering testimony on all of these bills, but are tracking them because they have a direct or indirect impact on information technology issues, either at the state agency level, political subdivision level or in private business.
For More Information
If at any time you need additional information or know of others who are interested in receiving this report, contact Annika Nelson, ITCND assistant executive director, at office@itcnd.org or 701-355-4458.
Copies of bill drafts and information about the 61st Legislative Session can be found at the Bills and Resolutions link on the North Dakota Legislative Council website at www.legis.nd.gov/.
How to Contact Your Legislators
During a legislative session, a legislator can be reached at the State Capitol through e-mail or by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local). These numbers can also be used to obtain information on bills under consideration. Otherwise, a legislator can be reached by mail or e-mail at the address listed in the legislator's bio online under the 61st Legislative Assembly link at www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009.
Addressing Mail Correspondence
To a Senator:
Honorable (full name)
State Senator
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Senator (last name)
To a Representative:
Honorable (full name)
State Representative
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Representative (last name)
2009 Legislative Deadlines
Date
March 5
April 10
April 30
Topic
Crossover for resolutions
Good Friday
Session is limited to 80 legislative days
Legislative Bills Tracked (to date)
Appropriation Bills
SB 2003 – North Dakota University System – Support
SB 2016 – Job Service North Dakota – Support
SB 2018 – North Dakota Department of Commerce – Support
SB 2019 – North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education – Support
SB 2021 – Information Technology Department – Support
Other Bills
HB 1144 – Relating to confidentiality of information contained in records – Track
HB 1202 – Relating to entrepreneurship awards; relating to the Bank of North Dakota and North Dakota development fund, incorporated, use of funds for entrepreneurship awards; and to provide an expiration date – Track
SB 2040 – Sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure equipment – Support
SB 2062 – STEM loan forgiveness program – Support; Opportunity grant program – Track
SB 2110 – Expands Operation Intern to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders – Support
SB 2131 – Relating to service charges for recycling and disposal for surplus property – Track
SB 2269 – Relating to angel fund investment income tax credits – Support
SB 2325 – Relating to the streamlined sales tax agreement – Track
SB 2347 – Relating to gross receipts from the sale of items delivered electronically – Track
SB 2390 – Relating to the establishment and development of certified technology parks – Track
SB 2003 – Support
The North Dakota University System gave an overview of SB 2003, its appropriation bill, to the full House Appropriations Committee Feb. 25. This bill contains $696,000 of continued funds for the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program. SB 2003 originally included policy language and $2.7 million (additional $2 million from 2007-09) for expansion of the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program to make it available to students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It would also increase the maximum amount and duration of loan forgiveness from $1,000 for up to three years to $2,000 for up to five years. The policy language was initially amended out of 2003 and placed in SB 2226. It was then amended into SB 2062, and SB 2226 was killed. The appropriation was reduced by $1 million by the Senate, for a total of $1.7 million, and is now split between SB 2003 ($696,000) and SB 2062 ($1 million). ITCND will support this bill at its hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee on March 2.
SB 2016 – Support
SB 2016 was heard before the House Appropriations-Education Committee Feb. 26. This bill is the Job Service North Dakota appropriation. It includes $1.5 million for Workforce 20/20, $200,000 for the spidering program and authorization for New Jobs Training. ITCND supported this bill at its hearing.
SB 2018 – Support
SB 2018 is the North Dakota Department of Commerce appropriation, which includes funding for Operation Intern and Innovate ND. The Department of Commerce gave an overview on the status of the bill to the full House Appropriations Committee Feb. 25. No testimony was given as the bill will be heard before the House Appropriations-Government Operations Committee on March 3. SB 2018 includes $350,000 (increase of $200,000) to expand the Innovate ND program and $1.2 million (increase of $600,000) for the Operation Intern program.
SB 2019 – Support
SB 2019 was heard before the House Appropriations-Education Committee Feb. 26. This bill is the ND Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE) appropriation. It includes $800,000 for the virtual area career and technical education centers (CTE requested an additional $400,000). These centers offer IT courses to students who previously did not have access to them, and each center is required to offer at least two credits of IT coursework to all students in member schools. The bill also provides $1.8 million to increase funding to schools for career and technical education programs (CTE requested an additional $1.2 million). This is important due to the high cost of equipment for these courses and increased staffing needs due to smaller class requirements for lab settings. This provides an incentive for additional schools to add CTE courses, including IT, to their curriculum. It also includes $400,000 to increase the number of career resource coordinators and career advisors. These individuals would assist in providing information to students and educators on the IT cluster. Attached is the testimony of Deana Wiese in support of SB 2019.
SB 2021 – Support
The North Dakota Information Technology Department (ITD) gave an overview of its appropriation bill, SB 2021, to the full House Appropriations Committee Feb. 25. It includes $2.4 million to deploy the longitudinal database system (LDS), an information gathering system for education, workforce training, advising, job placement and policy making. The Senate switched the funding source for the LDS from general to special funds asking ITD to use federal stimulus dollars if available. SB 2021 also contains an additional $2 million (over the 2007-09 biennium) for the K-12 network. This includes a $600,000 one-time investment for new or enhanced video conferencing hardware and $1.2 million to increase the bandwidth for all K-12 schools from 1.5 MB to 10 MB. ITCND will support this bill at its House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on March 3.
Hearing Schedule and Status Report (March 2-6)
The hearing schedule and status of bills being tracked by ITCND are attached. We will not be offering testimony on all of these bills, but are tracking them because they have a direct or indirect impact on information technology issues, either at the state agency level, political subdivision level or in private business.
For More Information
If at any time you need additional information or know of others who are interested in receiving this report, contact Annika Nelson, ITCND assistant executive director, at office@itcnd.org or 701-355-4458.
Copies of bill drafts and information about the 61st Legislative Session can be found at the Bills and Resolutions link on the North Dakota Legislative Council website at www.legis.nd.gov/.
How to Contact Your Legislators
During a legislative session, a legislator can be reached at the State Capitol through e-mail or by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local). These numbers can also be used to obtain information on bills under consideration. Otherwise, a legislator can be reached by mail or e-mail at the address listed in the legislator's bio online under the 61st Legislative Assembly link at www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009.
Addressing Mail Correspondence
To a Senator:
Honorable (full name)
State Senator
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Senator (last name)
To a Representative:
Honorable (full name)
State Representative
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Representative (last name)
2009 Legislative Deadlines
Date
March 5
April 10
April 30
Topic
Crossover for resolutions
Good Friday
Session is limited to 80 legislative days
Legislative Bills Tracked (to date)
Appropriation Bills
SB 2003 – North Dakota University System – Support
SB 2016 – Job Service North Dakota – Support
SB 2018 – North Dakota Department of Commerce – Support
SB 2019 – North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education – Support
SB 2021 – Information Technology Department – Support
Other Bills
HB 1144 – Relating to confidentiality of information contained in records – Track
HB 1202 – Relating to entrepreneurship awards; relating to the Bank of North Dakota and North Dakota development fund, incorporated, use of funds for entrepreneurship awards; and to provide an expiration date – Track
SB 2040 – Sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure equipment – Support
SB 2062 – STEM loan forgiveness program – Support; Opportunity grant program – Track
SB 2110 – Expands Operation Intern to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders – Support
SB 2131 – Relating to service charges for recycling and disposal for surplus property – Track
SB 2269 – Relating to angel fund investment income tax credits – Support
SB 2325 – Relating to the streamlined sales tax agreement – Track
SB 2347 – Relating to gross receipts from the sale of items delivered electronically – Track
SB 2390 – Relating to the establishment and development of certified technology parks – Track
The Stimulus Package
A message from David Adkins, CSG executive director/CEO
The Council of State Governments was founded 75 years ago during the Great Depression by state leaders who knew the states are engines of innovation. Today, that same spirit drives our work at CSG.
With the passage of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the federal government has made an unprecedented commitment to stimulate the economy. A new Web site developed by CSG in partnership with Latham & Watkins, StateRecovery.org, will help state leaders and our partners keep up-to-date on leading information with daily updates on stimulus related developments.
Read the full article.
CSG Resources
StateRecovery.org
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: A Guide for State and Local Governments
Other Resources
Housing and Urban Development Information on Stimulus
Map and the breakdown by state and by program
statenews.csg.org
New CSG Publications
Health Professional Shortages
Student Retention in Postsecondary Education
Upcoming Meetings
March 6-8
CSG/ERC Executive Committee Meeting, Burlington, Vt.
March 7-10
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Mid-Year Conference, Alexandria, Va.
March 8-11
National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
March 16-17
CSG and The Urban Institute State Comparative Performance Measurement Project Meeting, Washington, D.C.
April 18-21
National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD) Eastern Region Seminar, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Join Our Mailing List!
Governors Aim for Interbranch Cooperation on Stimulus
By Kelley Arnold, CSG Membership Outreach
Interbranch cooperation could be a key to states' successful use of funds from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
That's the way Maine Gov. John Baldacci and Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter see it. Both issued executive orders meant to foster transparency and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches. In fact, governors' offices across the country have seen a flurry of activity as officials strive to make sense of the federal stimulus package. Some have formed working groups, created new departments or appointed czars. The methods each state will use to spend the stimulus funds are as unique as the states themselves. In several instances, these methods have placed the governor's office at odds with members of the legislature.
Read the full story.
CSG Resources
StateRecovery.org
Other Resources
Maine Executive Order 25 FY 08/09
Maine Recovery Web Site
Idaho Executive Order 2009-06
States Set to Use Stimulus Funds
By Mikel Chavers, CSG Associate Editor
Show Missouri the money.
As soon as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law, the Show Me State pulled the ripcord on a bridge project that would use federal stimulus funds. That bridge project is the first in the nation set to use the federal stimulus funds, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
And other state government officials are on a similar track to using stimulus dollars quickly. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides more than $300 billion in potential funding for states and state-related programs.
Read the full story.
CSG Resources
State Recovery.org
Other Resources
Missouri Department of Transportation
New Hampshire stimulus projects
Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment
About State News | About CSG | Capitol Comments Blog | State Trends & Policy
Contact State News Magazine | Upcoming Events | Send us a News Tip
State News Magazine
2760 Research Park Drive | P.O. Box 11910
Lexington, KY 40578-1910
The Council of State Governments was founded 75 years ago during the Great Depression by state leaders who knew the states are engines of innovation. Today, that same spirit drives our work at CSG.
With the passage of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the federal government has made an unprecedented commitment to stimulate the economy. A new Web site developed by CSG in partnership with Latham & Watkins, StateRecovery.org, will help state leaders and our partners keep up-to-date on leading information with daily updates on stimulus related developments.
Read the full article.
CSG Resources
StateRecovery.org
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: A Guide for State and Local Governments
Other Resources
Housing and Urban Development Information on Stimulus
Map and the breakdown by state and by program
statenews.csg.org
New CSG Publications
Health Professional Shortages
Student Retention in Postsecondary Education
Upcoming Meetings
March 6-8
CSG/ERC Executive Committee Meeting, Burlington, Vt.
March 7-10
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Mid-Year Conference, Alexandria, Va.
March 8-11
National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
March 16-17
CSG and The Urban Institute State Comparative Performance Measurement Project Meeting, Washington, D.C.
April 18-21
National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD) Eastern Region Seminar, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Join Our Mailing List!
Governors Aim for Interbranch Cooperation on Stimulus
By Kelley Arnold, CSG Membership Outreach
Interbranch cooperation could be a key to states' successful use of funds from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
That's the way Maine Gov. John Baldacci and Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter see it. Both issued executive orders meant to foster transparency and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches. In fact, governors' offices across the country have seen a flurry of activity as officials strive to make sense of the federal stimulus package. Some have formed working groups, created new departments or appointed czars. The methods each state will use to spend the stimulus funds are as unique as the states themselves. In several instances, these methods have placed the governor's office at odds with members of the legislature.
Read the full story.
CSG Resources
StateRecovery.org
Other Resources
Maine Executive Order 25 FY 08/09
Maine Recovery Web Site
Idaho Executive Order 2009-06
States Set to Use Stimulus Funds
By Mikel Chavers, CSG Associate Editor
Show Missouri the money.
As soon as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law, the Show Me State pulled the ripcord on a bridge project that would use federal stimulus funds. That bridge project is the first in the nation set to use the federal stimulus funds, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
And other state government officials are on a similar track to using stimulus dollars quickly. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides more than $300 billion in potential funding for states and state-related programs.
Read the full story.
CSG Resources
State Recovery.org
Other Resources
Missouri Department of Transportation
New Hampshire stimulus projects
Wisconsin Office of Recovery and Reinvestment
About State News | About CSG | Capitol Comments Blog | State Trends & Policy
Contact State News Magazine | Upcoming Events | Send us a News Tip
State News Magazine
2760 Research Park Drive | P.O. Box 11910
Lexington, KY 40578-1910
Thursday, February 26, 2009
North Dakota House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Hearings Schedule
Appropriations (Rep. K. Svedjan) Roughrider Room
(EE) Approp - Education & Environment (Rep. B. Skarphol) Sakakawea
(GO) Approp - Governmnt Operations Div (Rep. J. Delzer) Medora Room
(HR) Approp - Human Resources Division (Rep. C. Pollert) Roughrider Room
Hearing Date Time Bill/Res.No Sub-Comm Description/Note
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/25 8:30 AM SB 2003 Full Committee
North Dakota University System
10:15 AM SB 2015 Full Committee --
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Prison Construction
11:15 AM SB 2014 Full Committee
Industrial Commission
Oil and Gas Division
1:30 PM SB 2021 Full Committee
Information and Technology
2:45 PM SB 2018 Full Committee
Department of Commerce
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/26 8:30 AM SB 2001 GO Legislative Council/Legislative Assembly
9:00 AM SB 2016 EE Job Service
SB 2015 HR Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
10:15 AM SB 2011 GO Highway Patrol
1:30 PM SB 2019 EE Career and Technical Education
2:30 PM SB 2015 HR Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
3:00 PM SB 2002 GO Judicial Branch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/27 8:30 AM SB 2024 GO Racing Commission
9:00 AM SB 2009 EE State Fair Association
SB 2015 HR Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
9:15 AM SB 2013 GO Land Department
10:30 AM SB 2022 EE State Seed Department
SB 2023 GO Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to top » Contact Legislative Council » Legislative Council Home
(EE) Approp - Education & Environment (Rep. B. Skarphol) Sakakawea
(GO) Approp - Governmnt Operations Div (Rep. J. Delzer) Medora Room
(HR) Approp - Human Resources Division (Rep. C. Pollert) Roughrider Room
Hearing Date Time Bill/Res.No Sub-Comm Description/Note
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/25 8:30 AM SB 2003 Full Committee
North Dakota University System
10:15 AM SB 2015 Full Committee --
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Prison Construction
11:15 AM SB 2014 Full Committee
Industrial Commission
Oil and Gas Division
1:30 PM SB 2021 Full Committee
Information and Technology
2:45 PM SB 2018 Full Committee
Department of Commerce
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/26 8:30 AM SB 2001 GO Legislative Council/Legislative Assembly
9:00 AM SB 2016 EE Job Service
SB 2015 HR Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
10:15 AM SB 2011 GO Highway Patrol
1:30 PM SB 2019 EE Career and Technical Education
2:30 PM SB 2015 HR Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
3:00 PM SB 2002 GO Judicial Branch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/27 8:30 AM SB 2024 GO Racing Commission
9:00 AM SB 2009 EE State Fair Association
SB 2015 HR Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
9:15 AM SB 2013 GO Land Department
10:30 AM SB 2022 EE State Seed Department
SB 2023 GO Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to top » Contact Legislative Council » Legislative Council Home
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
SRT Communications in Minot, North Dakota
Downadup
Largest Worm Infection Since 2001 Hits Corporate Networks
Ask The Help Desk
What Should I Do When My Computer Screen Freezes Up?
Sites Of The Month
Great Sites To Check Out In February
Short Tutorial
Setting Up AutoComplete In Your Browser
Greetings,
The month of February can be especially cold in many parts of the U.S. In that spirit, this issue includes information to help all of us (regardless of local weather) hang onto more of our cold cash. We begin with a report on the Downadup worm that's spreading rapidly through corporate networks and affecting millions of PCs. Also in this issue, you'll find Great Sites containing money-saving tools for refinancing your mortgage, planning a budget vacation, and avoiding fake check scams. Speaking of cold, don't miss the Help Desk advice on what to do when your computer screen freezes. And we've also included a short tutorial on how to save time by setting up AutoComplete on your browser.
The goal of our monthly newsletter is to keep our subscribers informed regarding their Internet connection and to improve their Internet experience. We think you'll find this information interesting. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.
To see what's inside this issue, simply scroll down the eNewsletter or click on the links within the index to the left. Thanks for reading!
- The SRT Internet Team
Downadup - Largest Worm Infection Since 2001 Hits Corporate Networks
A sneaky, fast-spreading computer worm known as Downadup (or Conficker or Kido) is exploiting a security hole in Microsoft Windows to infect millions of PCs in mainly corporate networks. It is considered the largest and most serious corporate virus outbreak since Nimda unleashed its fury in 2001. It appears Downadup may have been created to generate income for people who get paid to install rogue antivirus software called "scareware."
The worm can spread three ways:
It attacks a vulnerability in the Microsoft Server service. Computers without the latest Microsoft security patch can be remotely attacked and taken over.
It can scan company networks and attempt to guess passwords.
It can infect USB data sticks (also known as thumb drives). While almost all of the Downadup occurrences have involved corporate networks, it is possible for a home computer to be infected by the user's corporate PC via the connection of a thumb drive.
Microsoft released a patch to stop the Downadup worm in October 2008 called MS08-067. To download this patch, visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx
In January 2009, the high number of Downadup infections led Microsoft to enable its anti-malware utility, Microsoft Software Removal Tool (MSRT), to detect the worm. This optional component is updated monthly and can scan for and remove some of the most prevalent threats in circulation today. For details, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
As always, we recommend you use antispam and antivirus software, install a firewall, and keep operating system and browser software updated.
Ask The Help Desk - What Should I Do When My Computer Screen Freezes Up?
Question: Sometimes when I'm working on my computer, the screen just freezes up and I'm not sure why. What should I do?
Answer: Some common causes of a screen freeze are:
Your computer is using up every bit of its RAM (random access memory) at that point in time
Running multiple applications simultaneously
A computer virus
For a Vista PC, restart your computer by simultaneously pressing the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete" (delete) keys. This is called a warm boot. Pressing this key combination on a Windows Vista PC will bring up a screen containing five functions to choose from. Scroll down to the "Start Task Manager" option. When the Windows Task Manager window opens, click on the "Applications" tab to see what applications are currently running. Highlight the applications and click on the "End Task" button. If quitting the frozen application does not unfreeze the screen, you will need to repeat the process. Close the Windows Task Manager screen and press the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete" (delete) keys again. This time when the screen appears containing the five functions, look in the lower right corner and you will see a red button that looks like a "power" key. You can shut down the computer by pressing it, or if you click on the triangle next to it, you will see a pop-up menu that lists other options including "Restart," "Sleep," "Hibernate," and "Shut Down."
If this fails, perform a cold or hard reboot, which is turning the computer's power off and then on. To complete this operation, press and hold the "power" button until the computer shuts off (usually about five seconds). Wait a minimum of five seconds before turning the computer back on.
For a Windows XP PC, restart your computer by simultaneously pressing the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete" (delete) keys. This will bring up the Windows Task Manager window. Click on the "Applications" tab to see what applications are currently running. Highlight the applications and click on the "End Task" button. If this fails to unfreeze the screen, click on the Shut Down Menu and select "Restart" to restart the computer. If this fails, you will need to perform a cold or hard reboot by following the instructions in the paragraph above.
For a Mac, the first step is to force quit frozen applications by simultaneously pressing the "option" (alt), "command" (apple), and "escape" (esc) keys. When the Force Quit Applications window opens, highlight the applications you want to quit and select the "Force Quit" button. A pop-up box will appear asking if you want to force the selected application(s) to quit; click the "Force Quit" button. If this doesn't work, simultaneously press the "control," "command," and "power" keys to restart your computer. Your Mac should start up automatically after a brief delay. You can also shut down an unresponsive Mac by holding down the "power" key for a few seconds. Wait a minimum of five seconds before turning the computer back on.
Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In February
To Refi or Not To Refi?
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/calc_vml/refi/refi.asp - With the current economic crisis, you may be wondering what, if anything, you should be doing differently with your finances. Should you sell stocks? Put off retirement? Pay down debt? If refinancing your mortgage is a move you're considering, use the Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Calculator on this site. By entering basic information, you'll find out your new monthly payment, monthly savings, difference in interest, total cost, and months to recoup costs.
Trip Advisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ - Recommendations from friends always help when traveling. But what if your friends haven't been where you're going? This website offers millions of reviews from travelers who have visited a wide selection of destinations worldwide. Get information on hotels, attractions, and restaurants; get suggestions for your next trip; or look for bargain travel ideas.
Coming Soon
http://www.film-releases.com/film-release-schedule-2009.php - Winter is the perfect time for indoor entertainment, and many movies (both big screen and DVD) will be released in the coming weeks to provide it. This site lists release dates chronologically, or you can search for the film you've been dying to see by title, actor, or genre. Click on film titles to get summaries, cast and director information, and other details. The site also allows you to download movies to view on your computer, TV, or portable player.
Jam the Scam
http://www.fakechecks.org/about.html - This site educates visitors about fake check scams that require you to wire money to the scammer after depositing a bad check into your bank account. The site's main message: You are responsible for the missing funds! Take the Fraud Tests to find out if you are susceptible to being a victim of these scams, watch the Fake Out and victim videos to learn more, and review the prevention information to find out how to avoid these costly mistakes.
Short Tutorial - Setting Up AutoComplete In Your Browser
The AutoComplete (or AutoFill) feature of a browser is designed to streamline the process of Web searches as well as make it faster and easier to fill out online forms. In the case of Web searches, this feature provides a drop-down list of suggestions for websites when you begin typing a URL into the Address bar. AutoComplete can also automatically complete information such as your name and address when you begin to enter them on forms for website registration or online purchases. You can customize the AutoComplete settings on your browser or turn them off completely by following these steps:
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Internet Explorer 7
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP and Windows Vista
With Internet Explorer open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar. Select "Internet Options" from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Internet Options window opens, choose the "Content" tab.
Under the "AutoComplete" section, select the "Settings" button.
The AutoComplete Settings window will open. Select the check boxes for the AutoComplete options you want to use under the "Use AutoComplete for" section.
Click the "OK" button in both windows to save your changes and close each window.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP and Windows Vista
With Mozilla Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar. Select "Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Options window opens, choose the "Privacy" tab.
Under the "History" section, click on the box next to "Remember what I enter in forms and the search bar."
Click the "OK" button to save your changes and close the window.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Mac OS 10.4
With Mozilla Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Firefox" in the menu bar. Select "Preferences..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Preferences window opens, choose the "Privacy" tab.
Under the "History" section, click on the box next to "Remember what I enter in forms and the search bar."
To accept and save your changes, click on the red circle in the upper left corner of the window to close it.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Safari
- Computer Operating System: Mac OS 10.4
With Safari open, click your cursor arrow on "Safari" in the menu bar. Select "Preferences..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Preferences window opens, choose the "AutoFill" tab.
The AutoFill window will open. Select the check boxes for the options you want to use in the "AutoFill web forms:" section.
Next to the option that you selected, click on the "Edit..." button. Here you can view or change your saved information.
We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.
Thank you for your business!
Best regards,
Tom Thomas
Product Coordinator
SRT Communications
3615 North Broadway
Minot, ND 58703
(701) 858-1200
(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)
©2009 Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Largest Worm Infection Since 2001 Hits Corporate Networks
Ask The Help Desk
What Should I Do When My Computer Screen Freezes Up?
Sites Of The Month
Great Sites To Check Out In February
Short Tutorial
Setting Up AutoComplete In Your Browser
Greetings,
The month of February can be especially cold in many parts of the U.S. In that spirit, this issue includes information to help all of us (regardless of local weather) hang onto more of our cold cash. We begin with a report on the Downadup worm that's spreading rapidly through corporate networks and affecting millions of PCs. Also in this issue, you'll find Great Sites containing money-saving tools for refinancing your mortgage, planning a budget vacation, and avoiding fake check scams. Speaking of cold, don't miss the Help Desk advice on what to do when your computer screen freezes. And we've also included a short tutorial on how to save time by setting up AutoComplete on your browser.
The goal of our monthly newsletter is to keep our subscribers informed regarding their Internet connection and to improve their Internet experience. We think you'll find this information interesting. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.
To see what's inside this issue, simply scroll down the eNewsletter or click on the links within the index to the left. Thanks for reading!
- The SRT Internet Team
Downadup - Largest Worm Infection Since 2001 Hits Corporate Networks
A sneaky, fast-spreading computer worm known as Downadup (or Conficker or Kido) is exploiting a security hole in Microsoft Windows to infect millions of PCs in mainly corporate networks. It is considered the largest and most serious corporate virus outbreak since Nimda unleashed its fury in 2001. It appears Downadup may have been created to generate income for people who get paid to install rogue antivirus software called "scareware."
The worm can spread three ways:
It attacks a vulnerability in the Microsoft Server service. Computers without the latest Microsoft security patch can be remotely attacked and taken over.
It can scan company networks and attempt to guess passwords.
It can infect USB data sticks (also known as thumb drives). While almost all of the Downadup occurrences have involved corporate networks, it is possible for a home computer to be infected by the user's corporate PC via the connection of a thumb drive.
Microsoft released a patch to stop the Downadup worm in October 2008 called MS08-067. To download this patch, visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx
In January 2009, the high number of Downadup infections led Microsoft to enable its anti-malware utility, Microsoft Software Removal Tool (MSRT), to detect the worm. This optional component is updated monthly and can scan for and remove some of the most prevalent threats in circulation today. For details, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
As always, we recommend you use antispam and antivirus software, install a firewall, and keep operating system and browser software updated.
Ask The Help Desk - What Should I Do When My Computer Screen Freezes Up?
Question: Sometimes when I'm working on my computer, the screen just freezes up and I'm not sure why. What should I do?
Answer: Some common causes of a screen freeze are:
Your computer is using up every bit of its RAM (random access memory) at that point in time
Running multiple applications simultaneously
A computer virus
For a Vista PC, restart your computer by simultaneously pressing the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete" (delete) keys. This is called a warm boot. Pressing this key combination on a Windows Vista PC will bring up a screen containing five functions to choose from. Scroll down to the "Start Task Manager" option. When the Windows Task Manager window opens, click on the "Applications" tab to see what applications are currently running. Highlight the applications and click on the "End Task" button. If quitting the frozen application does not unfreeze the screen, you will need to repeat the process. Close the Windows Task Manager screen and press the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete" (delete) keys again. This time when the screen appears containing the five functions, look in the lower right corner and you will see a red button that looks like a "power" key. You can shut down the computer by pressing it, or if you click on the triangle next to it, you will see a pop-up menu that lists other options including "Restart," "Sleep," "Hibernate," and "Shut Down."
If this fails, perform a cold or hard reboot, which is turning the computer's power off and then on. To complete this operation, press and hold the "power" button until the computer shuts off (usually about five seconds). Wait a minimum of five seconds before turning the computer back on.
For a Windows XP PC, restart your computer by simultaneously pressing the "Control" (ctrl), "Alt" (alt), and "Delete" (delete) keys. This will bring up the Windows Task Manager window. Click on the "Applications" tab to see what applications are currently running. Highlight the applications and click on the "End Task" button. If this fails to unfreeze the screen, click on the Shut Down Menu and select "Restart" to restart the computer. If this fails, you will need to perform a cold or hard reboot by following the instructions in the paragraph above.
For a Mac, the first step is to force quit frozen applications by simultaneously pressing the "option" (alt), "command" (apple), and "escape" (esc) keys. When the Force Quit Applications window opens, highlight the applications you want to quit and select the "Force Quit" button. A pop-up box will appear asking if you want to force the selected application(s) to quit; click the "Force Quit" button. If this doesn't work, simultaneously press the "control," "command," and "power" keys to restart your computer. Your Mac should start up automatically after a brief delay. You can also shut down an unresponsive Mac by holding down the "power" key for a few seconds. Wait a minimum of five seconds before turning the computer back on.
Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In February
To Refi or Not To Refi?
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/calc_vml/refi/refi.asp - With the current economic crisis, you may be wondering what, if anything, you should be doing differently with your finances. Should you sell stocks? Put off retirement? Pay down debt? If refinancing your mortgage is a move you're considering, use the Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Calculator on this site. By entering basic information, you'll find out your new monthly payment, monthly savings, difference in interest, total cost, and months to recoup costs.
Trip Advisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ - Recommendations from friends always help when traveling. But what if your friends haven't been where you're going? This website offers millions of reviews from travelers who have visited a wide selection of destinations worldwide. Get information on hotels, attractions, and restaurants; get suggestions for your next trip; or look for bargain travel ideas.
Coming Soon
http://www.film-releases.com/film-release-schedule-2009.php - Winter is the perfect time for indoor entertainment, and many movies (both big screen and DVD) will be released in the coming weeks to provide it. This site lists release dates chronologically, or you can search for the film you've been dying to see by title, actor, or genre. Click on film titles to get summaries, cast and director information, and other details. The site also allows you to download movies to view on your computer, TV, or portable player.
Jam the Scam
http://www.fakechecks.org/about.html - This site educates visitors about fake check scams that require you to wire money to the scammer after depositing a bad check into your bank account. The site's main message: You are responsible for the missing funds! Take the Fraud Tests to find out if you are susceptible to being a victim of these scams, watch the Fake Out and victim videos to learn more, and review the prevention information to find out how to avoid these costly mistakes.
Short Tutorial - Setting Up AutoComplete In Your Browser
The AutoComplete (or AutoFill) feature of a browser is designed to streamline the process of Web searches as well as make it faster and easier to fill out online forms. In the case of Web searches, this feature provides a drop-down list of suggestions for websites when you begin typing a URL into the Address bar. AutoComplete can also automatically complete information such as your name and address when you begin to enter them on forms for website registration or online purchases. You can customize the AutoComplete settings on your browser or turn them off completely by following these steps:
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Internet Explorer 7
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP and Windows Vista
With Internet Explorer open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar. Select "Internet Options" from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Internet Options window opens, choose the "Content" tab.
Under the "AutoComplete" section, select the "Settings" button.
The AutoComplete Settings window will open. Select the check boxes for the AutoComplete options you want to use under the "Use AutoComplete for" section.
Click the "OK" button in both windows to save your changes and close each window.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP and Windows Vista
With Mozilla Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar. Select "Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Options window opens, choose the "Privacy" tab.
Under the "History" section, click on the box next to "Remember what I enter in forms and the search bar."
Click the "OK" button to save your changes and close the window.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Mac OS 10.4
With Mozilla Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Firefox" in the menu bar. Select "Preferences..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Preferences window opens, choose the "Privacy" tab.
Under the "History" section, click on the box next to "Remember what I enter in forms and the search bar."
To accept and save your changes, click on the red circle in the upper left corner of the window to close it.
Setting Up AutoComplete When Using ...
- Web Browser: Safari
- Computer Operating System: Mac OS 10.4
With Safari open, click your cursor arrow on "Safari" in the menu bar. Select "Preferences..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Preferences window opens, choose the "AutoFill" tab.
The AutoFill window will open. Select the check boxes for the options you want to use in the "AutoFill web forms:" section.
Next to the option that you selected, click on the "Edit..." button. Here you can view or change your saved information.
We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.
Thank you for your business!
Best regards,
Tom Thomas
Product Coordinator
SRT Communications
3615 North Broadway
Minot, ND 58703
(701) 858-1200
(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)
©2009 Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
President Speaks to Congress and the People
President Inspires Confidence Across Party Lines
In his speech to the nation tonight, Barack Obama managed to break through the partisan polarization of Washington and connect directly with American voters across the political spectrum according to dial and focus group research conducted during the speech. His speech inspired confidence in voters of all political stripes in his understanding of the challenges the country faces, as well as his agenda for the future.
Read more »
Democracy Corps conducted dial testing of the speech with 50 Independent and weak partisan voters in Henderson, Nevada, followed by focus group discussions with voters who shifted toward support of Obama's economic plan after seeing the speech. The dial group participants were evenly divided among Obama and McCain voters.
These swing voters reacted strongly to Obama's message. Despite having a Republican tilt, 68 percent of these voters came into the speech approving of Obama's job performance. After the speech, these already high marks moved even higher, rising to a remarkable 82 percent. In fact, Obama saw gains nearly across the board, on both personal traits and confidence in his handling of most major issues. In particular, the president strengthened his position on fiscal issues, gaining 26 points on taxes and 18 points on the federal budget.
What was most striking about the reaction of these voters was the lack of polarization. In past State of the Union speeches and other major presidential addresses we have tested, voters from the opposite party of the president tend to have a knee-jerk negative reaction, generally rating his words less favorably and moving below 50 on our dial scale of 0 to 100. That was not the case with Obama's speech. Republicans rarely dropped below 50 and even exceeded 70 during parts of the President's speech.
Most importantly, for most of the speech the dial lines for Democrats, Republicans and Independents moved in concert in a way we have rarely seen. While the partisan lines did diverge on a couple of important issues – including Obama's economic recovery plan, health care, and government regulation – they mostly showed a unified, national response in favor of the President's agenda. At times, it seemed as if Obama was deliberately speaking past his audience in the divided House chamber and offering a broader appeal to American voters hungry to move past partisan squabbling. That appeal clearly connected with these voters.
The President also had success on one of his most important, and difficult tasks: selling the financial rescue plan to a skeptical public. Indeed, initial reactions to his discussion of the financial crisis were circumspect. But when Obama argued that the financial rescue was necessary to keep the economic recovery from being choked off before it could get started, and particularly when he insisted his policy was “not about helping banks, it's about helping people,” the dials moved strongly in Obama's favor, with virtually no difference between Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Moreover, when Obama focused on the need to hold banks accountable, end their use of corporate jets, and require them to actually start lending again in return for taxpayer money, he received some of his highest scores of the night. As a result, he gained 16 points on his handling of the financial and banking crisis in post-speech testing.
We also conducted two focus groups after the dial session among voters whose support for Obama's economic plan increased after watching the speech – one group comprised of McCain voters, the other of Obama voters. Both groups were deeply impressed with Obama; they saw him as sincere, passionate, in command, and wholly committed to the task at hand. Perhaps most importantly, they strongly agreed with his simple statement that “I get it.” By succinctly and accurately diagnosing the problems we face without engaging in political finger-pointing, he inspired confidence in his ability to move the country forward.
There was broad agreement among Obama and McCain voters alike that Obama's immediate economic goals – stimulating lending, restoring consumer confidence, stemming the housing crisis, and protecting American jobs – and his broader agenda – built around major investments in alternative energy, health care, and education – represent the best hope for rebuilding our economy. Both groups also applauded his focus on reducing the deficit and were anxious to hear more about the 2 trillion dollars in spending cuts that his administration has already identified.
The Obama voters were particularly taken with Obama's passion and leadership. They described themselves as cynical and skeptical, but they expressed genuine confidence in his ability to lead the country after hearing Obama identify the challenges and lay out the path forward. They wholeheartedly agreed with his simple statement – “I get it.” And they highlighted his emphasis on accountability at all levels – from holding banks accountable for the taxpayer dollars they receive to recognizing the critical need for proper parenting to a broader emphasis on personal responsibility – as a desperately needed change from the Bush years.
On the issues, energy was the most important piece of the agenda laid out in this speech for the Obama voters. It perfectly matches the economic goals of these voters – creating jobs, strengthening America's infrastructure and independence, and planning for long-term economic growth and prosperity rather than short-term fixes.
The McCain voters were more skeptical about Obama's ability to turn his lofty ideas into reality, but they genuinely want him to succeed and express confidence in his leadership and capabilities. They wanted to hear more details, especially on health care, but were particularly enthusiastic about his insistence on making education a top priority and the specific plans he outlined on teacher pay and accountability, eliminating dropouts, and providing tuition assistance for community service.
Both groups saw bi-partisanship in Congress as a critical goal. They credited Obama with making real efforts to achieve this goal and almost unanimously agreed that Republican opposition to the stimulus package was founded on partisan posturing rather than principle. But they also made it very clear that when it comes to fixing the economy and enacting the agenda laid out in this speech, urgent action is paramount and can't be sacrificed in an effort to achieve bi-partisan consensus.
In this release
Overview
Dial-group Video
Shift Tables
Forward email
This email was sent to tseymour@state.nd.us, by dcorps@democracycorps.com
Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
Democracy Corps | 10 G St. NE | Suite 500 | Washington | DC | 20002
In his speech to the nation tonight, Barack Obama managed to break through the partisan polarization of Washington and connect directly with American voters across the political spectrum according to dial and focus group research conducted during the speech. His speech inspired confidence in voters of all political stripes in his understanding of the challenges the country faces, as well as his agenda for the future.
Read more »
Democracy Corps conducted dial testing of the speech with 50 Independent and weak partisan voters in Henderson, Nevada, followed by focus group discussions with voters who shifted toward support of Obama's economic plan after seeing the speech. The dial group participants were evenly divided among Obama and McCain voters.
These swing voters reacted strongly to Obama's message. Despite having a Republican tilt, 68 percent of these voters came into the speech approving of Obama's job performance. After the speech, these already high marks moved even higher, rising to a remarkable 82 percent. In fact, Obama saw gains nearly across the board, on both personal traits and confidence in his handling of most major issues. In particular, the president strengthened his position on fiscal issues, gaining 26 points on taxes and 18 points on the federal budget.
What was most striking about the reaction of these voters was the lack of polarization. In past State of the Union speeches and other major presidential addresses we have tested, voters from the opposite party of the president tend to have a knee-jerk negative reaction, generally rating his words less favorably and moving below 50 on our dial scale of 0 to 100. That was not the case with Obama's speech. Republicans rarely dropped below 50 and even exceeded 70 during parts of the President's speech.
Most importantly, for most of the speech the dial lines for Democrats, Republicans and Independents moved in concert in a way we have rarely seen. While the partisan lines did diverge on a couple of important issues – including Obama's economic recovery plan, health care, and government regulation – they mostly showed a unified, national response in favor of the President's agenda. At times, it seemed as if Obama was deliberately speaking past his audience in the divided House chamber and offering a broader appeal to American voters hungry to move past partisan squabbling. That appeal clearly connected with these voters.
The President also had success on one of his most important, and difficult tasks: selling the financial rescue plan to a skeptical public. Indeed, initial reactions to his discussion of the financial crisis were circumspect. But when Obama argued that the financial rescue was necessary to keep the economic recovery from being choked off before it could get started, and particularly when he insisted his policy was “not about helping banks, it's about helping people,” the dials moved strongly in Obama's favor, with virtually no difference between Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Moreover, when Obama focused on the need to hold banks accountable, end their use of corporate jets, and require them to actually start lending again in return for taxpayer money, he received some of his highest scores of the night. As a result, he gained 16 points on his handling of the financial and banking crisis in post-speech testing.
We also conducted two focus groups after the dial session among voters whose support for Obama's economic plan increased after watching the speech – one group comprised of McCain voters, the other of Obama voters. Both groups were deeply impressed with Obama; they saw him as sincere, passionate, in command, and wholly committed to the task at hand. Perhaps most importantly, they strongly agreed with his simple statement that “I get it.” By succinctly and accurately diagnosing the problems we face without engaging in political finger-pointing, he inspired confidence in his ability to move the country forward.
There was broad agreement among Obama and McCain voters alike that Obama's immediate economic goals – stimulating lending, restoring consumer confidence, stemming the housing crisis, and protecting American jobs – and his broader agenda – built around major investments in alternative energy, health care, and education – represent the best hope for rebuilding our economy. Both groups also applauded his focus on reducing the deficit and were anxious to hear more about the 2 trillion dollars in spending cuts that his administration has already identified.
The Obama voters were particularly taken with Obama's passion and leadership. They described themselves as cynical and skeptical, but they expressed genuine confidence in his ability to lead the country after hearing Obama identify the challenges and lay out the path forward. They wholeheartedly agreed with his simple statement – “I get it.” And they highlighted his emphasis on accountability at all levels – from holding banks accountable for the taxpayer dollars they receive to recognizing the critical need for proper parenting to a broader emphasis on personal responsibility – as a desperately needed change from the Bush years.
On the issues, energy was the most important piece of the agenda laid out in this speech for the Obama voters. It perfectly matches the economic goals of these voters – creating jobs, strengthening America's infrastructure and independence, and planning for long-term economic growth and prosperity rather than short-term fixes.
The McCain voters were more skeptical about Obama's ability to turn his lofty ideas into reality, but they genuinely want him to succeed and express confidence in his leadership and capabilities. They wanted to hear more details, especially on health care, but were particularly enthusiastic about his insistence on making education a top priority and the specific plans he outlined on teacher pay and accountability, eliminating dropouts, and providing tuition assistance for community service.
Both groups saw bi-partisanship in Congress as a critical goal. They credited Obama with making real efforts to achieve this goal and almost unanimously agreed that Republican opposition to the stimulus package was founded on partisan posturing rather than principle. But they also made it very clear that when it comes to fixing the economy and enacting the agenda laid out in this speech, urgent action is paramount and can't be sacrificed in an effort to achieve bi-partisan consensus.
In this release
Overview
Dial-group Video
Shift Tables
Forward email
This email was sent to tseymour@state.nd.us, by dcorps@democracycorps.com
Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
Democracy Corps | 10 G St. NE | Suite 500 | Washington | DC | 20002
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
North Dakota Legislature Begins on February 25 after the "Crossover"
Session on Recess
Legislators have been in recess Feb. 20-24. This comes after reaching the crossover and midpoint of the 2009 Legislative Session.
The Senate introduced 440 bills and 23 resolutions and the House introduced 576 bills and 42 resolutions. All legislation that passed the house of origin is now before the other body for consideration. The Legislature will reconvene on Feb. 25, and lawmakers have until April 30 to wrap up their work.
Key Hearings Held Feb. 16-20
There were no key hearings Feb. 16-20 as this week mainly consisted of final committee work and voting bills out of the House or Senate.
Status of Key Bills at Crossover
HB 1065 – Support
This bill contained $1.2 million for Operation Intern and $1 million for marketing to out-of-state students. The House Education Committee did not support the portion of the bill that provided funding for marketing to out-of-state students. It does support the $1.2 million for Operation Intern, which is also included in the Department of Commerce’s appropriation bill, SB 2018.
Status: Defeated in the House 18-74 – Feb. 6
SB 2003 – Support
This bill is the North Dakota University System appropriation. SB 2003 originally included policy language and $2.7 million (additional $2 million from 2007-09) for expansion of the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program. The expansion would make the program available to students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It would also increase the maximum amount and duration of loan forgiveness from $1,000 for up to three years to $2,000 for up to five years. The policy language was initially amended out of 2003 and placed in SB 2226. It was then amended into SB 2062, and SB 2226 was killed. The appropriation was reduced by $1 million by the Senate, for a total of $1.7 million, and is now split between SB 2003 ($696,000) and SB 2062 ($1 million).
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 19
SB 2016 – Support
This bill is the Job Service North Dakota appropriation. It includes $1.5 million for Workforce 20/20, $200,000 for the spidering program and funding for New Jobs Training.
Status: Passed the Senate 47-0 – Feb. 17
SB 2018 – Support
This bill is the Department of Commerce appropriation. As amended, it includes an additional $200,000 ($350,000 total) to expand the Innovate ND program to meet increasing demand. It also includes $1.2 million (increase of $600,000) for the Operation Intern program.
Status: Passed the House 41-5 – Feb. 19
SB 2019 – Support
This bill is the Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE) appropriation. It includes $800,000 for the virtual area career and technical education centers (CTE requested an additional $400,000). These centers offer IT courses to students who previously did not have access to them, and each center is required to offer at least two credits of IT coursework to all students in member schools. The bill also provides $1.8 million to increase funding to schools for career and technical education programs (CTE requested an additional $1.2 million). This is important due to the high cost of equipment for these courses and increased staffing needs due to smaller class requirements for lab settings. This provides an incentive for additional schools to add CTE courses, including IT, to their curriculum. It also includes $400,000 to increase the number of career resource coordinators and career advisors. These individuals would assist in providing information to students and educators on the IT cluster.
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 18
SB 2021 – Support
This bill is the North Dakota Information Technology Department appropriation. It includes $2.4 million for the development a longitudinal database system, an information gathering system for education, workforce training, advising, job placement and policy making. It also contains $1.2 million for increased bandwidth and replacement infrastructure for internet and video conferencing for K-12 schools. An amendment to the bill keeps the appropriation for the longitudinal database system in SB 2021 but changes the funding source to allow ITD to use federal stimulus dollars if available.
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 19
SB 2040 – Support
This bill provides a sales and use tax exemption for new or replacement equipment used for telecommunications infrastructure development. The bill was amended to include an interim study examining all taxes imposed on telecommunications services in this state. The legislative council would analyze all taxes and fees imposed on providers and consumers of telecommunications services, evaluate the fairness of the taxes, and determine if the tax structure impacts the business climate and economic development of the state.
Status: Passed the Senate 27-18 – Feb. 18
SB 2062 – Support
ITCND was monitoring the initial SB 2062, which relates to student opportunity grants. However, SB 2226 (expansion of the technology loan forgiveness program), which ITCND supports, was amended into SB 2062 by the Senate. The bill now contains the policy language that would make the program available to students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It would also increase the maximum amount and duration of loan forgiveness from $1,000 for up to three years to $2,000 for up to five years. The funding for this expansion was originally $2.6 million and was in SB 2003 (North Dakota University System appropriation). The appropriation was reduced by $1 million by the Senate, for a total of $1.7 million, and is now split between SB 2003 ($696,000) and SB 2062 ($1 million).
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 19
SB 2110 – Support
This bill contains the policy language to expand the Operation Intern program to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders. The $1.2 million in funding for the expanded program is in SB 2018.
Status: Passed the Senate 45-0 – Jan. 30
SB 2226 – Support
This bill contained the policy language to expand the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program to include students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This portion of the bill was moved to SB 2062.
Status: Defeated in the Senate 6-40 – Feb. 19
SB 2269 – Support
This bill builds on the angel fund investment income tax credit that was established during the 2007 session. The tax credit provides an incentive for pools of investors, or angel funds, to invest in high risk economic development projects, which may include IT entrepreneurial ventures. It provides further definition of the composition of an angel fund to guard against potential abuse of the credit by investors. The initial bill made all or part of the unused credit transferable by an angel fund investor with the intention of opening doors for additional capital investment. However, this portion was amended out of the bill.
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 11
Hearing Schedule and Status Report (Feb. 23-27)
The hearing schedule and status of bills being tracked by ITCND are attached. We will not be offering testimony on all of these bills, but are tracking them because they have a direct or indirect impact on information technology issues, either at the state agency level, political subdivision level or in private business.
For More Information
If at any time you need additional information or know of others who are interested in receiving this report, contact Annika Nelson, ITCND assistant executive director, at office@itcnd.org or 701-355-4458.
Copies of bill drafts and information about the 61st Legislative Session can be found at the Bills and Resolutions link on the North Dakota Legislative Council website at www.legis.nd.gov/.
How to Contact Your Legislators
During a legislative session, a legislator can be reached at the State Capitol through e-mail or by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local). These numbers can also be used to obtain information on bills under consideration. Otherwise, a legislator can be reached by mail or e-mail at the address listed in the legislator's bio online under the 61st Legislative Assembly link at www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009.
Addressing Mail Correspondence
To a Senator:
Honorable (full name)
State Senator
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Senator (last name)
To a Representative:
Honorable (full name)
State Representative
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Representative (last name)
2009 Legislative Deadlines
Date
March 5
April 10
April 30
Topic
Crossover for resolutions
Good Friday
Session is limited to 80 legislative days
Legislative Bills Tracked (to date)
Appropriation Bills
SB 2003 – North Dakota University System – Support
SB 2016 – Job Service North Dakota – Support
SB 2018 – ND Department of Commerce – Support
SB 2019 – North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education – Support
SB 2021 – Information Technology Department – Support
Other Bills
HB 1144 – Relating to confidentiality of information contained in records – Track
HB 1202 – Relating to entrepreneurship awards; relating to the Bank of North Dakota and North Dakota development fund, incorporated, use of funds for entrepreneurship awards; and to provide an expiration date – Track
SB 2040 – Sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure equipment – Support
SB 2062 – STEM loan forgiveness program – Support; Opportunity grant program - Track
SB 2110 – Expands Operation Intern to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders – Support
SB 2131 – Relating to service charges for recycling and disposal for surplus property – Track
SB 2269 – Relating to angel fund investment income tax credits – Support
SB 2325 – Relating to the streamlined sales tax agreement – Track
SB 2347 – Relating to gross receipts from the sale of items delivered electronically – Track
SB 2390 – Relating to the establishment and development of certified technology parks – Track
Legislators have been in recess Feb. 20-24. This comes after reaching the crossover and midpoint of the 2009 Legislative Session.
The Senate introduced 440 bills and 23 resolutions and the House introduced 576 bills and 42 resolutions. All legislation that passed the house of origin is now before the other body for consideration. The Legislature will reconvene on Feb. 25, and lawmakers have until April 30 to wrap up their work.
Key Hearings Held Feb. 16-20
There were no key hearings Feb. 16-20 as this week mainly consisted of final committee work and voting bills out of the House or Senate.
Status of Key Bills at Crossover
HB 1065 – Support
This bill contained $1.2 million for Operation Intern and $1 million for marketing to out-of-state students. The House Education Committee did not support the portion of the bill that provided funding for marketing to out-of-state students. It does support the $1.2 million for Operation Intern, which is also included in the Department of Commerce’s appropriation bill, SB 2018.
Status: Defeated in the House 18-74 – Feb. 6
SB 2003 – Support
This bill is the North Dakota University System appropriation. SB 2003 originally included policy language and $2.7 million (additional $2 million from 2007-09) for expansion of the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program. The expansion would make the program available to students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It would also increase the maximum amount and duration of loan forgiveness from $1,000 for up to three years to $2,000 for up to five years. The policy language was initially amended out of 2003 and placed in SB 2226. It was then amended into SB 2062, and SB 2226 was killed. The appropriation was reduced by $1 million by the Senate, for a total of $1.7 million, and is now split between SB 2003 ($696,000) and SB 2062 ($1 million).
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 19
SB 2016 – Support
This bill is the Job Service North Dakota appropriation. It includes $1.5 million for Workforce 20/20, $200,000 for the spidering program and funding for New Jobs Training.
Status: Passed the Senate 47-0 – Feb. 17
SB 2018 – Support
This bill is the Department of Commerce appropriation. As amended, it includes an additional $200,000 ($350,000 total) to expand the Innovate ND program to meet increasing demand. It also includes $1.2 million (increase of $600,000) for the Operation Intern program.
Status: Passed the House 41-5 – Feb. 19
SB 2019 – Support
This bill is the Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE) appropriation. It includes $800,000 for the virtual area career and technical education centers (CTE requested an additional $400,000). These centers offer IT courses to students who previously did not have access to them, and each center is required to offer at least two credits of IT coursework to all students in member schools. The bill also provides $1.8 million to increase funding to schools for career and technical education programs (CTE requested an additional $1.2 million). This is important due to the high cost of equipment for these courses and increased staffing needs due to smaller class requirements for lab settings. This provides an incentive for additional schools to add CTE courses, including IT, to their curriculum. It also includes $400,000 to increase the number of career resource coordinators and career advisors. These individuals would assist in providing information to students and educators on the IT cluster.
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 18
SB 2021 – Support
This bill is the North Dakota Information Technology Department appropriation. It includes $2.4 million for the development a longitudinal database system, an information gathering system for education, workforce training, advising, job placement and policy making. It also contains $1.2 million for increased bandwidth and replacement infrastructure for internet and video conferencing for K-12 schools. An amendment to the bill keeps the appropriation for the longitudinal database system in SB 2021 but changes the funding source to allow ITD to use federal stimulus dollars if available.
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 19
SB 2040 – Support
This bill provides a sales and use tax exemption for new or replacement equipment used for telecommunications infrastructure development. The bill was amended to include an interim study examining all taxes imposed on telecommunications services in this state. The legislative council would analyze all taxes and fees imposed on providers and consumers of telecommunications services, evaluate the fairness of the taxes, and determine if the tax structure impacts the business climate and economic development of the state.
Status: Passed the Senate 27-18 – Feb. 18
SB 2062 – Support
ITCND was monitoring the initial SB 2062, which relates to student opportunity grants. However, SB 2226 (expansion of the technology loan forgiveness program), which ITCND supports, was amended into SB 2062 by the Senate. The bill now contains the policy language that would make the program available to students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It would also increase the maximum amount and duration of loan forgiveness from $1,000 for up to three years to $2,000 for up to five years. The funding for this expansion was originally $2.6 million and was in SB 2003 (North Dakota University System appropriation). The appropriation was reduced by $1 million by the Senate, for a total of $1.7 million, and is now split between SB 2003 ($696,000) and SB 2062 ($1 million).
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 19
SB 2110 – Support
This bill contains the policy language to expand the Operation Intern program to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders. The $1.2 million in funding for the expanded program is in SB 2018.
Status: Passed the Senate 45-0 – Jan. 30
SB 2226 – Support
This bill contained the policy language to expand the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program to include students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). This portion of the bill was moved to SB 2062.
Status: Defeated in the Senate 6-40 – Feb. 19
SB 2269 – Support
This bill builds on the angel fund investment income tax credit that was established during the 2007 session. The tax credit provides an incentive for pools of investors, or angel funds, to invest in high risk economic development projects, which may include IT entrepreneurial ventures. It provides further definition of the composition of an angel fund to guard against potential abuse of the credit by investors. The initial bill made all or part of the unused credit transferable by an angel fund investor with the intention of opening doors for additional capital investment. However, this portion was amended out of the bill.
Status: Passed the Senate 46-0 – Feb. 11
Hearing Schedule and Status Report (Feb. 23-27)
The hearing schedule and status of bills being tracked by ITCND are attached. We will not be offering testimony on all of these bills, but are tracking them because they have a direct or indirect impact on information technology issues, either at the state agency level, political subdivision level or in private business.
For More Information
If at any time you need additional information or know of others who are interested in receiving this report, contact Annika Nelson, ITCND assistant executive director, at office@itcnd.org or 701-355-4458.
Copies of bill drafts and information about the 61st Legislative Session can be found at the Bills and Resolutions link on the North Dakota Legislative Council website at www.legis.nd.gov/.
How to Contact Your Legislators
During a legislative session, a legislator can be reached at the State Capitol through e-mail or by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local). These numbers can also be used to obtain information on bills under consideration. Otherwise, a legislator can be reached by mail or e-mail at the address listed in the legislator's bio online under the 61st Legislative Assembly link at www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009.
Addressing Mail Correspondence
To a Senator:
Honorable (full name)
State Senator
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Senator (last name)
To a Representative:
Honorable (full name)
State Representative
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Representative (last name)
2009 Legislative Deadlines
Date
March 5
April 10
April 30
Topic
Crossover for resolutions
Good Friday
Session is limited to 80 legislative days
Legislative Bills Tracked (to date)
Appropriation Bills
SB 2003 – North Dakota University System – Support
SB 2016 – Job Service North Dakota – Support
SB 2018 – ND Department of Commerce – Support
SB 2019 – North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education – Support
SB 2021 – Information Technology Department – Support
Other Bills
HB 1144 – Relating to confidentiality of information contained in records – Track
HB 1202 – Relating to entrepreneurship awards; relating to the Bank of North Dakota and North Dakota development fund, incorporated, use of funds for entrepreneurship awards; and to provide an expiration date – Track
SB 2040 – Sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure equipment – Support
SB 2062 – STEM loan forgiveness program – Support; Opportunity grant program - Track
SB 2110 – Expands Operation Intern to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders – Support
SB 2131 – Relating to service charges for recycling and disposal for surplus property – Track
SB 2269 – Relating to angel fund investment income tax credits – Support
SB 2325 – Relating to the streamlined sales tax agreement – Track
SB 2347 – Relating to gross receipts from the sale of items delivered electronically – Track
SB 2390 – Relating to the establishment and development of certified technology parks – Track
North Dakota Legislative Budget Status for the 2009 Legislative Session in Bismarck
Prepared by the North Dakota Legislative Council
staff
Beginning Balance and Revenues
Legislative budget estimate of unobligated general fund cash balance - July 1, 2009 $319,514,431 1
Add 2009-11 estimated revenues
Proposed executive budget general fund revenues $2,783,873,000
Legislative revenue changes
Major increases
HB 1279 - Reduces individual income tax rates (executive recommendation) (Defeated) 100,000,000
Major decreases
February 2009 revenue forecast revision (93,002,000)
HB 1209 - Provides individual income tax credit for long-term health care premiums (1,500,000)
HB 1255 - Reduces corporate income tax rates (20,000,000)
HB 1256 - Provides an income tax reduction for certain qualified dividends (4,600,000)
HB 1268 - Provides a sales tax exemption for clothing (34,960,000)
HB 1317 - Reduces the pull tab excise tax (3,683,070)
HB 1407 - Decreases the general fund share of motor vehicle excise taxes (64,764,000)
HB 1428 - Raises the maximum aggregate income tax credit for renaissance zone investments (5,000,000)
HB 1485 - Maintains the general fund share of oil and gas taxes at $71 million (39,000,000)
SB 2004 - Provides for emergency medical services grants (1,500,000)
SB 2014 - Removes the transfers from the Bank of North Dakota and the State Mill and Elevator (62,500,000)
SB 2040 - Provides a sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure (4,738,000)
SB 2184 - Excludes manufacturer incentives and discounts from motor vehicle excise tax (5,888,000)
SB 2221 - Creates a credit against coal conversion privilege taxes (7,420,000)
Other increases (decreases) (1,482,026)
Total legislative changes affecting revenues ($250,037,096)
Total estimated general fund revenues and beginning balance - 2009-11 $2,853,350,335
Appropriations
Executive budget general fund appropriations - 2009-11 $3,110,921,665
Legislative appropriations changes
Major increases
SB 2018 - Department of Commerce 33,314,000
SB 2062 - Higher education student financial aid 25,000,000
SB 2030 - State Penitentiary project 22,465,804
HB 1515 - Roadway improvement projects 15,000,000
SB 2025 - Veterans' Home construction 7,944,991
HB 1400 - Education programs 6,300,000
SB 2333 - Creation of regional public health networks 5,800,000
HB 1350 - Grant for construction of applied energy research center 5,000,000
HB 1006 - State Tax Commissioner 3,521,479
SB 2201 - Property tax credit for disabled veterans 2,700,000
SB 2230 - Grants to domestic violence sexual assault organizations 2,000,000
SB 2266 - Funding for the nursing education consortium 2,000,000
HB 1221 - Grants for political subdivisions experiencing tornado damage 1,594,597
HB 1540 - Funding of economic assistance programs on Indian reservation land 1,215,650
HB 1043 - Dementia care services program 1,200,000
Major decreases
HB 1012 - Department of Human Services (29,152,111)
SB 2003 - North Dakota University System (29,016,612)
SB 2015 - Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (23,134,316)
HB 1013 - Department of Public Instruction (13,345,312)
HB 1015 - Office of Management and Budget (8,545,191)
HB 1022 - Retirement and Investment Office (5,000,000)
HB 1003 - Attorney General (3,624,079)
HB 1016 - Adjutant General (2,280,681)
SB 2009 - State Fair (2,000,000)
Other increases (decreases) net 4,701,353
Total legislative changes affecting appropriations $23,659,572
Total 2009-11 general fund appropriations $3,134,581,237
Estimated Ending Balance
Estimated budget status general fund balance - June 30, 2011 ($281,230,902)
February 20, 2009
AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 2009
2009-11 BUDGET STATUS SUMMARY
Comparison of 2009-11 General Fund Appropriations to 2007-09 Appropriations
Current status of 2009-11 general fund appropriations $3,134,581,237
2007-09 legislative general fund appropriations 2,461,973,956 2
Increase (decrease) $672,607,281
Percentage increase (decrease) 27.32%
Footnotes
1 $502,933,109 a
February 2009 revenue forecast revision 18,920,389
SB 2025 - Supplemental funding for Veterans' Home reflected as 2009-11 appropriation 12,036,404
SB 2393 - Provides for emergency snow removal grants (1,000,000)
HB 1513 - Continuation of unspent appropriation authority at the end of a biennium (8,050,000)
HB 1023 - Decreases general fund deficiency appropriations 2,057,184
HB 1083 - Changes filing date for monthly sales tax filers for May in odd-numbered years (15,560,000)
Total legislative changes affecting the beginning balance $8,403,977
Estimated general fund cash balance prior to budget stabilization fund transfer $511,337,086
Less transfer to budget stabilization fund (HB 1419) (191,822,655) b
Estimated unobligated general fund cash balance - July 1, 2009 $319,514,431
a
b
2
Permanent Oil Tax Trust Fund - 2009-11 Biennium
Beginning balance $475,091,147
Estimated revenues
Oil and gas production tax and oil extraction tax collections - Legislative forecast $291,392,000
Adjustments
Changes allocation to oil and gas research fund (SB 2229) (Defeated) 2,000,000
Changes allocation to oil and gas impact grant fund (SB 2013) 10,000,000 1
Changes allocations to counties (HB 1304) (27,750,000) 2
Changes general fund share of oil tax revenues (HB 1485) (Defeated) 39,000,000
Total estimated revenues 314,642,000
Total available $789,733,147
Less estimated expenditures
Water project grants (HB 1305) $2,200,000
Property tax relief (SB 2199) 295,000,000
Tribal college assistance grants (HB 1394) 700,000
Economic stimulus payments (HB 1324) 100,000,000
Energy Development Impact Office grant (HB 1225) 5,000,000
Disaster relief fund (HB 1503) 44,000,000
Total estimated expenditures 446,900,000
Ending balance $342,833,147
1
2
Budget Stabilization Fund - 2009-11 Biennium
Beginning balance $391,822,655
Estimated revenues
None $0
Total estimated revenues 391,822,655
Less estimated expenditures
None $0
Total estimated expenditures 0
Ending balance $391,822,655
Legislative action affecting the July 1, 2009, balance
The beginning balance is based on the 2007-09 general fund beginning balance of $295,541,176, the 2007-09 revised
general fund revenue forecast of $2,681,898,795 and appropriation authority of $2,474,506,863 (general fund appropriations
of $2,461,973,956 plus proposed deficiency appropriations of $10,496,503 and less estimated general fund turnback of $10
million).
House Bill No. 1225 also changes the allocation to the oil and gas impact grant fund which would increase revenue by $12 million rather than the $10
million shown.
Senate Bill No. 2229 also changes the allocation to counties which would reduce revenue by $25.5 million rather than the $27.75 million shown.
Includes a $5 million contingent general fund appropriation for school district deferred maintenance and physical plant
improvement grants, which became effective in February 2008.
North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-27.2 provides that any amount in the general fund at the end of a biennium in excess
of $65 million must be transferred to the budget stabilization fund except that, beginning July 1, 2009, the balance in the
budget stabilization fund may not exceed 10 percent of the general fund budget approved by the most recently adjourned
Legislative Assembly. House Bill No. 1419 (2009) increases the maximum balance in the fund to 12.5 percent. The amount
shown reflects the current estimated 2009-11 biennium general fund appropriations of $3,134,581,237; therefore, the
maximum balance in the fund is limited to $391,822,655.
Beginning balance - Executive budget unobligated general fund cash balance - July 1, 2009
Estimated June 30, 2011, Fund Balance Summary
Executive Current Increase
Recommendation Budget Status (Decrease)
General fund $64,792,277 ($281,230,902) ($346,023,179)
Permanent oil tax trust fund 829,047,147 342,833,147 (486,214,000)
Budget stabilization fund 311,092,167 391,822,655 80,730,488
Total $1,204,931,591 $453,424,900 ($751,506,691)
This summary and additional detail are available online at www.state.nd.us/lr/fiscal/biennium-reports/61-2009/budget-status/.
staff
Beginning Balance and Revenues
Legislative budget estimate of unobligated general fund cash balance - July 1, 2009 $319,514,431 1
Add 2009-11 estimated revenues
Proposed executive budget general fund revenues $2,783,873,000
Legislative revenue changes
Major increases
HB 1279 - Reduces individual income tax rates (executive recommendation) (Defeated) 100,000,000
Major decreases
February 2009 revenue forecast revision (93,002,000)
HB 1209 - Provides individual income tax credit for long-term health care premiums (1,500,000)
HB 1255 - Reduces corporate income tax rates (20,000,000)
HB 1256 - Provides an income tax reduction for certain qualified dividends (4,600,000)
HB 1268 - Provides a sales tax exemption for clothing (34,960,000)
HB 1317 - Reduces the pull tab excise tax (3,683,070)
HB 1407 - Decreases the general fund share of motor vehicle excise taxes (64,764,000)
HB 1428 - Raises the maximum aggregate income tax credit for renaissance zone investments (5,000,000)
HB 1485 - Maintains the general fund share of oil and gas taxes at $71 million (39,000,000)
SB 2004 - Provides for emergency medical services grants (1,500,000)
SB 2014 - Removes the transfers from the Bank of North Dakota and the State Mill and Elevator (62,500,000)
SB 2040 - Provides a sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure (4,738,000)
SB 2184 - Excludes manufacturer incentives and discounts from motor vehicle excise tax (5,888,000)
SB 2221 - Creates a credit against coal conversion privilege taxes (7,420,000)
Other increases (decreases) (1,482,026)
Total legislative changes affecting revenues ($250,037,096)
Total estimated general fund revenues and beginning balance - 2009-11 $2,853,350,335
Appropriations
Executive budget general fund appropriations - 2009-11 $3,110,921,665
Legislative appropriations changes
Major increases
SB 2018 - Department of Commerce 33,314,000
SB 2062 - Higher education student financial aid 25,000,000
SB 2030 - State Penitentiary project 22,465,804
HB 1515 - Roadway improvement projects 15,000,000
SB 2025 - Veterans' Home construction 7,944,991
HB 1400 - Education programs 6,300,000
SB 2333 - Creation of regional public health networks 5,800,000
HB 1350 - Grant for construction of applied energy research center 5,000,000
HB 1006 - State Tax Commissioner 3,521,479
SB 2201 - Property tax credit for disabled veterans 2,700,000
SB 2230 - Grants to domestic violence sexual assault organizations 2,000,000
SB 2266 - Funding for the nursing education consortium 2,000,000
HB 1221 - Grants for political subdivisions experiencing tornado damage 1,594,597
HB 1540 - Funding of economic assistance programs on Indian reservation land 1,215,650
HB 1043 - Dementia care services program 1,200,000
Major decreases
HB 1012 - Department of Human Services (29,152,111)
SB 2003 - North Dakota University System (29,016,612)
SB 2015 - Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (23,134,316)
HB 1013 - Department of Public Instruction (13,345,312)
HB 1015 - Office of Management and Budget (8,545,191)
HB 1022 - Retirement and Investment Office (5,000,000)
HB 1003 - Attorney General (3,624,079)
HB 1016 - Adjutant General (2,280,681)
SB 2009 - State Fair (2,000,000)
Other increases (decreases) net 4,701,353
Total legislative changes affecting appropriations $23,659,572
Total 2009-11 general fund appropriations $3,134,581,237
Estimated Ending Balance
Estimated budget status general fund balance - June 30, 2011 ($281,230,902)
February 20, 2009
AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 2009
2009-11 BUDGET STATUS SUMMARY
Comparison of 2009-11 General Fund Appropriations to 2007-09 Appropriations
Current status of 2009-11 general fund appropriations $3,134,581,237
2007-09 legislative general fund appropriations 2,461,973,956 2
Increase (decrease) $672,607,281
Percentage increase (decrease) 27.32%
Footnotes
1 $502,933,109 a
February 2009 revenue forecast revision 18,920,389
SB 2025 - Supplemental funding for Veterans' Home reflected as 2009-11 appropriation 12,036,404
SB 2393 - Provides for emergency snow removal grants (1,000,000)
HB 1513 - Continuation of unspent appropriation authority at the end of a biennium (8,050,000)
HB 1023 - Decreases general fund deficiency appropriations 2,057,184
HB 1083 - Changes filing date for monthly sales tax filers for May in odd-numbered years (15,560,000)
Total legislative changes affecting the beginning balance $8,403,977
Estimated general fund cash balance prior to budget stabilization fund transfer $511,337,086
Less transfer to budget stabilization fund (HB 1419) (191,822,655) b
Estimated unobligated general fund cash balance - July 1, 2009 $319,514,431
a
b
2
Permanent Oil Tax Trust Fund - 2009-11 Biennium
Beginning balance $475,091,147
Estimated revenues
Oil and gas production tax and oil extraction tax collections - Legislative forecast $291,392,000
Adjustments
Changes allocation to oil and gas research fund (SB 2229) (Defeated) 2,000,000
Changes allocation to oil and gas impact grant fund (SB 2013) 10,000,000 1
Changes allocations to counties (HB 1304) (27,750,000) 2
Changes general fund share of oil tax revenues (HB 1485) (Defeated) 39,000,000
Total estimated revenues 314,642,000
Total available $789,733,147
Less estimated expenditures
Water project grants (HB 1305) $2,200,000
Property tax relief (SB 2199) 295,000,000
Tribal college assistance grants (HB 1394) 700,000
Economic stimulus payments (HB 1324) 100,000,000
Energy Development Impact Office grant (HB 1225) 5,000,000
Disaster relief fund (HB 1503) 44,000,000
Total estimated expenditures 446,900,000
Ending balance $342,833,147
1
2
Budget Stabilization Fund - 2009-11 Biennium
Beginning balance $391,822,655
Estimated revenues
None $0
Total estimated revenues 391,822,655
Less estimated expenditures
None $0
Total estimated expenditures 0
Ending balance $391,822,655
Legislative action affecting the July 1, 2009, balance
The beginning balance is based on the 2007-09 general fund beginning balance of $295,541,176, the 2007-09 revised
general fund revenue forecast of $2,681,898,795 and appropriation authority of $2,474,506,863 (general fund appropriations
of $2,461,973,956 plus proposed deficiency appropriations of $10,496,503 and less estimated general fund turnback of $10
million).
House Bill No. 1225 also changes the allocation to the oil and gas impact grant fund which would increase revenue by $12 million rather than the $10
million shown.
Senate Bill No. 2229 also changes the allocation to counties which would reduce revenue by $25.5 million rather than the $27.75 million shown.
Includes a $5 million contingent general fund appropriation for school district deferred maintenance and physical plant
improvement grants, which became effective in February 2008.
North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-27.2 provides that any amount in the general fund at the end of a biennium in excess
of $65 million must be transferred to the budget stabilization fund except that, beginning July 1, 2009, the balance in the
budget stabilization fund may not exceed 10 percent of the general fund budget approved by the most recently adjourned
Legislative Assembly. House Bill No. 1419 (2009) increases the maximum balance in the fund to 12.5 percent. The amount
shown reflects the current estimated 2009-11 biennium general fund appropriations of $3,134,581,237; therefore, the
maximum balance in the fund is limited to $391,822,655.
Beginning balance - Executive budget unobligated general fund cash balance - July 1, 2009
Estimated June 30, 2011, Fund Balance Summary
Executive Current Increase
Recommendation Budget Status (Decrease)
General fund $64,792,277 ($281,230,902) ($346,023,179)
Permanent oil tax trust fund 829,047,147 342,833,147 (486,214,000)
Budget stabilization fund 311,092,167 391,822,655 80,730,488
Total $1,204,931,591 $453,424,900 ($751,506,691)
This summary and additional detail are available online at www.state.nd.us/lr/fiscal/biennium-reports/61-2009/budget-status/.
Monday, February 23, 2009
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Snowboarders
A combination of nice weather, tons of snow, and a lot of excited young people make for a great turnout at this year's Savvy Jam competition at Huff Hills. Organizers say the free event is a way for young people to try out their best snowboarding moves,
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North Dakota Goal Sunday
Sports Headlines
DSU Sweeps 1st Round DSU Sweeps 1st Round
Coaches Corner
Black Hills St. rolls over Dakota St. 10082
Dickinson St. beats Jamestown 6951
S. Dakota Tech beats Valley City St. 8174
Minot St. beats Mayville St. 10499 in OT
National News Headlines
Oscar celebration...GOP support?...Oil prices up
Superior searched after person spotted on ice
USD gets rezoning change
Trial to start in murder of Waseca father, son
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World News Headlines
Explosion in famed Cairo bazaar kills French tourist, injures 21...
Grenade attack in Cairo bazaar kills 1, injures 17
Netanyahu says he can work for peace with Obama
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French judge to rule on disputed Chinese bronzes
French teen killed in Cairo market blast
Weather Photo of the Day
Feb.10,2009 After yesterday's rain & late last night & today's snow- the cows have frozen icicles hanging on them while they try to feed What a crazy weather
Submitted By:Pat Brown, Ross
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KX Community Calendar - Today's Events
No-Cost Infant Eye and Vision Assessments during InfantSEE Week!
Horizon Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences
Bismarck School Board Meeting
Parent-Teacher Conferences
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Snowboarders
A combination of nice weather, tons of snow, and a lot of excited young people make for a great turnout at this year's Savvy Jam competition at Huff Hills. Organizers say the free event is a way for young people to try out their best snowboarding moves,
More Local News Headlines
College Goal College Goal
Guard focuses training on military children
Aquatics center plans move forward in Fargo
Fargo to use $4.8 million for housing
North Dakota State News Headlines
Airmen Returning Airmen Returning
NAWS Voting in Burlington
Canola Research
Legislature
Women in Ag on the Rise
North Dakota Goal Sunday
Sports Headlines
DSU Sweeps 1st Round DSU Sweeps 1st Round
Coaches Corner
Black Hills St. rolls over Dakota St. 10082
Dickinson St. beats Jamestown 6951
S. Dakota Tech beats Valley City St. 8174
Minot St. beats Mayville St. 10499 in OT
National News Headlines
Oscar celebration...GOP support?...Oil prices up
Superior searched after person spotted on ice
USD gets rezoning change
Trial to start in murder of Waseca father, son
Slumdog honors...Deficit meeting...Wildfire fears
Search planned in West Fargo for Minn. woman
World News Headlines
Explosion in famed Cairo bazaar kills French tourist, injures 21...
Grenade attack in Cairo bazaar kills 1, injures 17
Netanyahu says he can work for peace with Obama
Blast in Cairo tourist area kills 1, injures 17
French judge to rule on disputed Chinese bronzes
French teen killed in Cairo market blast
Weather Photo of the Day
Feb.10,2009 After yesterday's rain & late last night & today's snow- the cows have frozen icicles hanging on them while they try to feed What a crazy weather
Submitted By:Pat Brown, Ross
View this photo and more in the KXNet.com Weather Photo Gallery
KX Community Calendar - Today's Events
No-Cost Infant Eye and Vision Assessments during InfantSEE Week!
Horizon Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences
Bismarck School Board Meeting
Parent-Teacher Conferences
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
North Dakota Social Services - Drug Settlement
NEWS from the North Dakota Department of Human Services
600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck ND 58505-0250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009
Contacts: Brendan Joyce, Administrator of Pharmacy Services - Medical Services Division, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4023, or Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4933
North Dakota reaches settlement with drug company
BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Department of Human Services has reached a $174,739 settlement with drug manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company. The settlement involves Medicaid restitution and additional recoveries and is part of a $1.4 billion agreement the states and the federal government reached with the company to settle allegations that it improperly marketed the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa from 1999 to 2005.
The settlement reimburses the federal government and participating states for excessive amounts paid by the Medicaid program as a result of improper marketing practices. North Dakota’s Medicaid program, which provides health services to qualifying low-income elderly individuals, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities, is funded by both the federal government and the state.
# # #
Sent by:
Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer
N.D. Department of Human Services
701-328-4933
hsteffl@nd.gov
600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck ND 58505-0250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009
Contacts: Brendan Joyce, Administrator of Pharmacy Services - Medical Services Division, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4023, or Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4933
North Dakota reaches settlement with drug company
BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Department of Human Services has reached a $174,739 settlement with drug manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company. The settlement involves Medicaid restitution and additional recoveries and is part of a $1.4 billion agreement the states and the federal government reached with the company to settle allegations that it improperly marketed the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa from 1999 to 2005.
The settlement reimburses the federal government and participating states for excessive amounts paid by the Medicaid program as a result of improper marketing practices. North Dakota’s Medicaid program, which provides health services to qualifying low-income elderly individuals, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities, is funded by both the federal government and the state.
# # #
Sent by:
Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer
N.D. Department of Human Services
701-328-4933
hsteffl@nd.gov
North Dakota Social Services - Drug Settlement
NEWS from the North Dakota Department of Human Services
600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck ND 58505-0250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009
Contacts: Brendan Joyce, Administrator of Pharmacy Services - Medical Services Division, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4023, or Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4933
North Dakota reaches settlement with drug company
BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Department of Human Services has reached a $174,739 settlement with drug manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company. The settlement involves Medicaid restitution and additional recoveries and is part of a $1.4 billion agreement the states and the federal government reached with the company to settle allegations that it improperly marketed the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa from 1999 to 2005.
The settlement reimburses the federal government and participating states for excessive amounts paid by the Medicaid program as a result of improper marketing practices. North Dakota’s Medicaid program, which provides health services to qualifying low-income elderly individuals, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities, is funded by both the federal government and the state.
# # #
Sent by:
Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer
N.D. Department of Human Services
701-328-4933
hsteffl@nd.gov
600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck ND 58505-0250
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009
Contacts: Brendan Joyce, Administrator of Pharmacy Services - Medical Services Division, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4023, or Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, N.D. Dept. of Human Services, 701-328-4933
North Dakota reaches settlement with drug company
BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Department of Human Services has reached a $174,739 settlement with drug manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company. The settlement involves Medicaid restitution and additional recoveries and is part of a $1.4 billion agreement the states and the federal government reached with the company to settle allegations that it improperly marketed the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa from 1999 to 2005.
The settlement reimburses the federal government and participating states for excessive amounts paid by the Medicaid program as a result of improper marketing practices. North Dakota’s Medicaid program, which provides health services to qualifying low-income elderly individuals, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities, is funded by both the federal government and the state.
# # #
Sent by:
Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer
N.D. Department of Human Services
701-328-4933
hsteffl@nd.gov
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Minot State University - North Dakota Items of Interest
Feb. 19, 2009 Campus Announcements
Events
Women’s Heritage Month showcases women’s influence
To recognize women’s contributions in history and culture, March is Women’s Heritage Month. This year, a number of Minot State University events will examine the work of women, paid and unpaid. 2009_Womens_Heritage_Month_flyer.pdf
For more information, visit the event Web pages at http://www.minotstateu.edu/women/ or contact Bethany Andreasen, associate professor of history, at bethany.andreasen@minotstateu.edu or at 858-3243.
--Bethany Andreasen, associate professor of history
Sustainability Committee meeting Tuesday
The Sustainability Committee plans to meet Tuesday (Feb. 24) at 8:30 a.m. in the Crane Hall lecture room. All faculty, staff and students are welcome. The committee maintains a Web site at www.minotstateu.edu/sustain.
Tip of the week: Earth Recycling has moved to 4th Ave. N.W., just west of the 83 bypass.
--Paul Lepp, assistant professor of biology
General Information
MSU offers sympathy to Cantone family
Minot State University has been greatly saddened by the death of Taylor Ann Cantone, infant daughter of Melissa Cantone, records specialist in the registrar’s office. Taylor was born and died Feb. 14. The funeral was private. We extend our condolences to the Cantone family.
--Mark Lyman, director of public information
Office of Public Information
With assistance from the Office of Public Information, Hannah Rude, an MSU student, wrote the following news release:
For Immediate Release: Date: Feb. 19, 2009
THE MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY
COMMITTEE REACHES OUT FOR NEW MEMBERS
The Minot State University Sustainability Committee wants new members to become a part of its ongoing mission to make MSU more environmentally friendly. The committee meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in Crane Hall.
The Sustainability Committee is comprised of Minot State students, faculty and staff who endeavor to educate the community and campus on environmental issues. Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Xcel Energy Foundation, the committee has undertaken the large project of implementing a recycling system at MSU.
“The committee is currently developing a proposal to decide how best to implement the grant-supported project, who will collect the recyclables and which buildings will serve in a recycling pilot,” said Linda Olson, chair of the Sustainability Committee and professor of art.
Currently on campus, only paper is being recycled. With the new program in place, Minot State would be able to recycle plastics and aluminum cans.
Committee member Roger Kluck, director of facilities, conducted research to determine what recycling policies other schools in the North Dakota University System had. His report found that the North Dakota State University is expanding their recycling program, and the University of North Dakota has been recycling since 1992.
“I applaud UND and NDSU for taking the initiative of starting on-campus recycling programs, and I am glad that MSU is following their lead,” said Michelle Galster, a senior majoring in social work, who is participating on the committee.
The Sustainability Committee is also looking to do an event for Earth Day (April 22). To learn additional information about the Sustainability Committee, visit www.minotstateu.edu/sustain. To attend a meeting and/or joining the committee, contact Olson at 858-3836 or linda.olson@minotstateu.edu.
-end-
MSU in the News
(To inform the MSU community of Minot State items in the media, the Office of Public Information will provide links to items.)
Last night, KMOT did two stories about Minot State University. This link is only available for the next 6-10 hours. The stories included are a piece on the community press conference regarding MSU being featured in a five-minute video that will air nationally on the Fox Business Channel and an Education-in-Action segment on cancer research being done at Minot State.
http://www.kmot.com/Video_10_LocalNews.asp
Reminder: Check the campus calendar on the MSU home page for additional events at http://www.minotstateu.edu/.
Events
Women’s Heritage Month showcases women’s influence
To recognize women’s contributions in history and culture, March is Women’s Heritage Month. This year, a number of Minot State University events will examine the work of women, paid and unpaid. 2009_Womens_Heritage_Month_flyer.pdf
For more information, visit the event Web pages at http://www.minotstateu.edu/women/ or contact Bethany Andreasen, associate professor of history, at bethany.andreasen@minotstateu.edu or at 858-3243.
--Bethany Andreasen, associate professor of history
Sustainability Committee meeting Tuesday
The Sustainability Committee plans to meet Tuesday (Feb. 24) at 8:30 a.m. in the Crane Hall lecture room. All faculty, staff and students are welcome. The committee maintains a Web site at www.minotstateu.edu/sustain.
Tip of the week: Earth Recycling has moved to 4th Ave. N.W., just west of the 83 bypass.
--Paul Lepp, assistant professor of biology
General Information
MSU offers sympathy to Cantone family
Minot State University has been greatly saddened by the death of Taylor Ann Cantone, infant daughter of Melissa Cantone, records specialist in the registrar’s office. Taylor was born and died Feb. 14. The funeral was private. We extend our condolences to the Cantone family.
--Mark Lyman, director of public information
Office of Public Information
With assistance from the Office of Public Information, Hannah Rude, an MSU student, wrote the following news release:
For Immediate Release: Date: Feb. 19, 2009
THE MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY
COMMITTEE REACHES OUT FOR NEW MEMBERS
The Minot State University Sustainability Committee wants new members to become a part of its ongoing mission to make MSU more environmentally friendly. The committee meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in Crane Hall.
The Sustainability Committee is comprised of Minot State students, faculty and staff who endeavor to educate the community and campus on environmental issues. Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Xcel Energy Foundation, the committee has undertaken the large project of implementing a recycling system at MSU.
“The committee is currently developing a proposal to decide how best to implement the grant-supported project, who will collect the recyclables and which buildings will serve in a recycling pilot,” said Linda Olson, chair of the Sustainability Committee and professor of art.
Currently on campus, only paper is being recycled. With the new program in place, Minot State would be able to recycle plastics and aluminum cans.
Committee member Roger Kluck, director of facilities, conducted research to determine what recycling policies other schools in the North Dakota University System had. His report found that the North Dakota State University is expanding their recycling program, and the University of North Dakota has been recycling since 1992.
“I applaud UND and NDSU for taking the initiative of starting on-campus recycling programs, and I am glad that MSU is following their lead,” said Michelle Galster, a senior majoring in social work, who is participating on the committee.
The Sustainability Committee is also looking to do an event for Earth Day (April 22). To learn additional information about the Sustainability Committee, visit www.minotstateu.edu/sustain. To attend a meeting and/or joining the committee, contact Olson at 858-3836 or linda.olson@minotstateu.edu.
-end-
MSU in the News
(To inform the MSU community of Minot State items in the media, the Office of Public Information will provide links to items.)
Last night, KMOT did two stories about Minot State University. This link is only available for the next 6-10 hours. The stories included are a piece on the community press conference regarding MSU being featured in a five-minute video that will air nationally on the Fox Business Channel and an Education-in-Action segment on cancer research being done at Minot State.
http://www.kmot.com/Video_10_LocalNews.asp
Reminder: Check the campus calendar on the MSU home page for additional events at http://www.minotstateu.edu/.
Friday, February 20, 2009
North Dakota SB 2199 -- School Funding / Property Tax Bill
SB 2199
· Takes $300 million from state coffers to local school districts.
o Increases the state’s share of education expenses to 70% (a long-time goal)
o This is designed to replace school district revenue that would otherwise be collected through property taxes in an effort to reduce property taxes.
· This is a permanent structural change to the tax code.
· The bill, via amendment, removes the ability of local subdivisions to have unlimited mill levies.
o This is a form of installing caps on school districts’ mill levies.
· Below are the requirements for the amount of money allocated to the districts and the formula for distributing the state funds in school district budgets.
1.The mill levy reduction allocation rate for each qualifying school district is equal to
the payments to the school district based on the per student payment rate as
determined for the school year under chapter 15.1-27.
2. The grant to a qualifying school district may not exceed the smallest of:
a. The allocation determined under subsection 1;
b. The taxable valuation of property in the school district in the previous taxable
year times the number of mills determined by subtracting one hundred mills from the combined education mill rate of the school district for taxable year 2008; or
c. The taxable valuation of property in the school district in the previous taxable
year times seventy-five mills.
3. The grant to a qualifying school district may not be less than the grant to that
school district in the preceding school year.
4. The superintendent of public instruction shall report to each qualifying school
district by July fifteenth of each year the mill levy reduction grant in dollars
available to that school district during the upcoming school year.
5. By December first, January first, February first, and March first of each school
year, the superintendent of public instruction shall forward to each qualifying school district installments equal to twenty-five percent of the total mill levy reduction grant the district is eligible to receive during that school year.
6. Allocations to a school district under this chapter are not considered per student
payments or state aid for purposes of chapter 15.1-27.
57-64-04. Levy reduction priority. In setting mill rates for qualified school districts,
the county auditor shall apply funds allocated to a school district under this chapter for mill levy
reduction first to reduce the number of mills levied for general fund purposes and, if allocation
funds remain after the general fund mill rate is reduced to zero, the balance must be applied to
reduce the high school tuition levy and then to reduce the high school transportation levy of the
qualified school district.
· Takes $300 million from state coffers to local school districts.
o Increases the state’s share of education expenses to 70% (a long-time goal)
o This is designed to replace school district revenue that would otherwise be collected through property taxes in an effort to reduce property taxes.
· This is a permanent structural change to the tax code.
· The bill, via amendment, removes the ability of local subdivisions to have unlimited mill levies.
o This is a form of installing caps on school districts’ mill levies.
· Below are the requirements for the amount of money allocated to the districts and the formula for distributing the state funds in school district budgets.
1.The mill levy reduction allocation rate for each qualifying school district is equal to
the payments to the school district based on the per student payment rate as
determined for the school year under chapter 15.1-27.
2. The grant to a qualifying school district may not exceed the smallest of:
a. The allocation determined under subsection 1;
b. The taxable valuation of property in the school district in the previous taxable
year times the number of mills determined by subtracting one hundred mills from the combined education mill rate of the school district for taxable year 2008; or
c. The taxable valuation of property in the school district in the previous taxable
year times seventy-five mills.
3. The grant to a qualifying school district may not be less than the grant to that
school district in the preceding school year.
4. The superintendent of public instruction shall report to each qualifying school
district by July fifteenth of each year the mill levy reduction grant in dollars
available to that school district during the upcoming school year.
5. By December first, January first, February first, and March first of each school
year, the superintendent of public instruction shall forward to each qualifying school district installments equal to twenty-five percent of the total mill levy reduction grant the district is eligible to receive during that school year.
6. Allocations to a school district under this chapter are not considered per student
payments or state aid for purposes of chapter 15.1-27.
57-64-04. Levy reduction priority. In setting mill rates for qualified school districts,
the county auditor shall apply funds allocated to a school district under this chapter for mill levy
reduction first to reduce the number of mills levied for general fund purposes and, if allocation
funds remain after the general fund mill rate is reduced to zero, the balance must be applied to
reduce the high school tuition levy and then to reduce the high school transportation levy of the
qualified school district.
John's Report for the North Dakota Senate Democratic Caucus
Senate Democratic Caucus
End of Week Report (Week 7)
February 19, 2009
Week 7 in the Legislature could be characterized as a sprint to half-time. Known in the Capitol as “crossover” it is a deadline within the session by which each chamber must have all of its bills over to the other chamber. It has led to a week of long committee meetings, late nights, and lots of debate. The flurry of activity is a crucial part of the legislative process that brings us to a conclusion in the 80 days allotted.
Crossover is a crucial time because many bills are amended or defeated. Under North Dakota’s legislative process, every bill has a committee hearing and then comes to the full floor with a recommendation from the committee. Senate bills start in the Senate and House bills start in the House. Crossover is literally the time that the bills “cross over” into the opposite chamber from the one in which it originated. Lawmakers in the opposite chamber then get to review the ideas of their colleagues.
In other matters:
--SB 2278, sponsored by Sen. Tom Fiebiger (D-45 Fargo), and Sen. JoNell Bakke, (D-43 Grand Forks), would ban discrimination against North Dakotans based on their sexual orientation. The state already has similar provisions for traits such as age, race, gender and national origin. The goal of this bill is to prevent gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender North Dakotans from being fired from their jobs, kicked out of an apartment or otherwise mistreated solely because of their sexual orientation. The bill exempts religious organizations. It passed the Senate February 18 and is headed to the House.
--SB 2246, sponsored by Sen. Connie Triplett, (D-18 Grand Forks), attempted to overturn a 1977 law limiting easements to 99 years. After passage of the recent Farm Bill, land owners can get large tax credits for granting a “perpetual easement” of their land for conservation. However, because North Dakota landowners are not allowed under state law to grant a perpetual easement, they cannot enjoy the tax credits that landowners in every other state enjoy. The bill failed to pass the Senate on February 18.
--SB 2258, sponsored by Sen. Tracy Potter, (D-35 Bismarck), Sen. Bob Horne, (D-3 Minot), and Sen. Tim Mathern, (D-11 Fargo) would have strengthened the whistleblower protection law for public employees. The bill was proposed to protect public employees who speak up about wrongdoing at their agencies. Over the last few years, whistleblowers have been dismissed after seeking whistleblower status under the current law. Unfortunately, this proposal went down on the Senate floor on February 19.
--SB 2425, sponsored on the Democratic side by Sen. Joan Heckaman, (D-23 New Rockford), Sen. Aaron Krauter (D-31 Regent) and Minority Leader David O’Connell, (D-6 Lansford), would require a study of moving all state agencies into state-owned buildings. The issue is being discussed because the state is currently paying rent to house state agencies in facilities it doesn’t own. Could taxpayers save money by moving these facilities onto the state Capitol grounds? That is the question this study hopes to answer. It passed the Senate unanimously last week and is headed to the House.
--SB 2283, sponsored on the Democratic side by Sen. Ryan Taylor, (D-7 Towner) and Sen. Tim Mathern, would increase Medicaid aid for pre-natal care. This aid for pre-natal care is crucial for making sure that every child in our state can be born healthy. The bill loosened the income eligibility requirements to 165 percent of the poverty line, or about $35,000 for a family of four. The bill passed the Senate on Thursday and is headed to the House.
--In the matter of budget and economic forecasts, week 7 saw the addition of a legislative forecast to the existing Office of Management and Budget/Moody’s Economy.com budget projection. The legislative forecast was requested by the majority party to reflect their predictions on the state’s tax collections and reserves. These forecasts are important because they are the numbers upon which legislators build the state’s budget for the next two years. This month’s OMB budget predicts revenues and reserves of $978 million. The legislative forecast reduces this number by $209 million to $769 million. The change is based on the fact that legislators are gloomier about sales tax collections, income tax collections and money the state earns from bank account interest.
When Senators come back on February 25, the focus will have shifted. Instead of considering bills proposed by Senators and considered by committees on the Senate side, they will be considering bills proposed by members on the House side and considered by House committees. This will constitute phase two of the 80-day legislative session. Now that many bills have been defeated, and each body gets to have a say on what the other body has proposed, lawmakers are closer to the final package of legislation that this session will produce. The major issues for the second half are setting a state budget, deciding how the state will spend federal stimulus funds and deciding what to do about property and income tax cuts.
Some other highlights of the session thus far:
--As the outside economy deteriorated, the budget forecast that legislators had to work with deteriorated as well. In December, Gov. John Hoeven’s budget address predicted an ending fund balance of $1.2 billion. By February, that forecast had fallen to just under $1 billion. House Republicans are also using their own lower forecast.
--A $100 million income tax cut (HB 1279) proposed by Gov. Hoeven got heavily amended in the House. The bill started as an income tax rate cut that began this year, but was abandoned in favor of an immediate stimulus check program, to be followed by a rate cut (HB 1324).
--The much-publicized pharmacy ownership law change (HB 1440) was defeated in the House. The proposal was to change our state’s decades-old law that prevented non-pharmacists from owning a controlling interest in a North Dakota pharmacy. Its defeat came after a hearing at the Heritage Center that featured busloads of citizen attendees, emotional testimony and an hour-long floor debate.
--A $295 million property tax relief bill (SB 2199) sailed through the Senate on the last day before cross-over. The bill would allocate money to school districts and require those districts to pass that aid on dollar for dollar in the form of a property tax reduction. This has gotten a lot of attention as the cornerstone of the tax-cutting portion of the Governor’s and Legislator’s agenda thus far.
--The Senate-passed state higher education budget (SB 2003) raised general fund higher education spending almost 40 percent from about $440 million to about $615 million. The increase includes more full-time positions for universities, money for one-time projects to catch up with deferred maintenance and bonding authority for projects such as a new dormitory at Williston State College and a wellness center at Minot State University.
--A bill (HB 1487) was approved requiring the Legislature to appropriate any federal stimulus money that comes North Dakota’s way. Now that the stimulus bill passed Congress and has been signed by President Obama, the allocation of North Dakota’s share will likely be a big issue in the second half of the session.
End of Week Report (Week 7)
February 19, 2009
Week 7 in the Legislature could be characterized as a sprint to half-time. Known in the Capitol as “crossover” it is a deadline within the session by which each chamber must have all of its bills over to the other chamber. It has led to a week of long committee meetings, late nights, and lots of debate. The flurry of activity is a crucial part of the legislative process that brings us to a conclusion in the 80 days allotted.
Crossover is a crucial time because many bills are amended or defeated. Under North Dakota’s legislative process, every bill has a committee hearing and then comes to the full floor with a recommendation from the committee. Senate bills start in the Senate and House bills start in the House. Crossover is literally the time that the bills “cross over” into the opposite chamber from the one in which it originated. Lawmakers in the opposite chamber then get to review the ideas of their colleagues.
In other matters:
--SB 2278, sponsored by Sen. Tom Fiebiger (D-45 Fargo), and Sen. JoNell Bakke, (D-43 Grand Forks), would ban discrimination against North Dakotans based on their sexual orientation. The state already has similar provisions for traits such as age, race, gender and national origin. The goal of this bill is to prevent gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender North Dakotans from being fired from their jobs, kicked out of an apartment or otherwise mistreated solely because of their sexual orientation. The bill exempts religious organizations. It passed the Senate February 18 and is headed to the House.
--SB 2246, sponsored by Sen. Connie Triplett, (D-18 Grand Forks), attempted to overturn a 1977 law limiting easements to 99 years. After passage of the recent Farm Bill, land owners can get large tax credits for granting a “perpetual easement” of their land for conservation. However, because North Dakota landowners are not allowed under state law to grant a perpetual easement, they cannot enjoy the tax credits that landowners in every other state enjoy. The bill failed to pass the Senate on February 18.
--SB 2258, sponsored by Sen. Tracy Potter, (D-35 Bismarck), Sen. Bob Horne, (D-3 Minot), and Sen. Tim Mathern, (D-11 Fargo) would have strengthened the whistleblower protection law for public employees. The bill was proposed to protect public employees who speak up about wrongdoing at their agencies. Over the last few years, whistleblowers have been dismissed after seeking whistleblower status under the current law. Unfortunately, this proposal went down on the Senate floor on February 19.
--SB 2425, sponsored on the Democratic side by Sen. Joan Heckaman, (D-23 New Rockford), Sen. Aaron Krauter (D-31 Regent) and Minority Leader David O’Connell, (D-6 Lansford), would require a study of moving all state agencies into state-owned buildings. The issue is being discussed because the state is currently paying rent to house state agencies in facilities it doesn’t own. Could taxpayers save money by moving these facilities onto the state Capitol grounds? That is the question this study hopes to answer. It passed the Senate unanimously last week and is headed to the House.
--SB 2283, sponsored on the Democratic side by Sen. Ryan Taylor, (D-7 Towner) and Sen. Tim Mathern, would increase Medicaid aid for pre-natal care. This aid for pre-natal care is crucial for making sure that every child in our state can be born healthy. The bill loosened the income eligibility requirements to 165 percent of the poverty line, or about $35,000 for a family of four. The bill passed the Senate on Thursday and is headed to the House.
--In the matter of budget and economic forecasts, week 7 saw the addition of a legislative forecast to the existing Office of Management and Budget/Moody’s Economy.com budget projection. The legislative forecast was requested by the majority party to reflect their predictions on the state’s tax collections and reserves. These forecasts are important because they are the numbers upon which legislators build the state’s budget for the next two years. This month’s OMB budget predicts revenues and reserves of $978 million. The legislative forecast reduces this number by $209 million to $769 million. The change is based on the fact that legislators are gloomier about sales tax collections, income tax collections and money the state earns from bank account interest.
When Senators come back on February 25, the focus will have shifted. Instead of considering bills proposed by Senators and considered by committees on the Senate side, they will be considering bills proposed by members on the House side and considered by House committees. This will constitute phase two of the 80-day legislative session. Now that many bills have been defeated, and each body gets to have a say on what the other body has proposed, lawmakers are closer to the final package of legislation that this session will produce. The major issues for the second half are setting a state budget, deciding how the state will spend federal stimulus funds and deciding what to do about property and income tax cuts.
Some other highlights of the session thus far:
--As the outside economy deteriorated, the budget forecast that legislators had to work with deteriorated as well. In December, Gov. John Hoeven’s budget address predicted an ending fund balance of $1.2 billion. By February, that forecast had fallen to just under $1 billion. House Republicans are also using their own lower forecast.
--A $100 million income tax cut (HB 1279) proposed by Gov. Hoeven got heavily amended in the House. The bill started as an income tax rate cut that began this year, but was abandoned in favor of an immediate stimulus check program, to be followed by a rate cut (HB 1324).
--The much-publicized pharmacy ownership law change (HB 1440) was defeated in the House. The proposal was to change our state’s decades-old law that prevented non-pharmacists from owning a controlling interest in a North Dakota pharmacy. Its defeat came after a hearing at the Heritage Center that featured busloads of citizen attendees, emotional testimony and an hour-long floor debate.
--A $295 million property tax relief bill (SB 2199) sailed through the Senate on the last day before cross-over. The bill would allocate money to school districts and require those districts to pass that aid on dollar for dollar in the form of a property tax reduction. This has gotten a lot of attention as the cornerstone of the tax-cutting portion of the Governor’s and Legislator’s agenda thus far.
--The Senate-passed state higher education budget (SB 2003) raised general fund higher education spending almost 40 percent from about $440 million to about $615 million. The increase includes more full-time positions for universities, money for one-time projects to catch up with deferred maintenance and bonding authority for projects such as a new dormitory at Williston State College and a wellness center at Minot State University.
--A bill (HB 1487) was approved requiring the Legislature to appropriate any federal stimulus money that comes North Dakota’s way. Now that the stimulus bill passed Congress and has been signed by President Obama, the allocation of North Dakota’s share will likely be a big issue in the second half of the session.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
North Dakota Senate Floor Calendar
View Senate Floor Calendar
Day 33 - February 19, 2009
Convene Times: 8:00AM
This is a LIVE page and is subject to change. Live Senate Audio | Live Senate Video
6th Order - Consideration of Amendments
Bill
Number Floor
Action AM EM CO Message Committee Committee
Recommends Comm
Vote Primary
Sponsor Versions
SB 2004 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Engross
SB 2012 * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Engross
SB 2230 * Appropriations Do Pass 13-1 Bakke Engross
SB 2266 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 J. Lee Engross
SB 2332 * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 J. Lee Engross
SB 2365 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 13-1 Oehlke Engross
SB 2199 A * Appropriations Do Pass 12-2 Wardner Engross
SB 2225 * Appropriations Do Pass 10-4 Stenehjem Engross
SB 2228 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Stenehjem Engross
SB 2393 A E * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Taylor Engross
11th Order - Second Reading of Bills and Resolutions
Bill
Number Floor
Action AM EM CO Message Committee Committee
Recommends Comm
Vote Primary
Sponsor Versions
SB 2075 A * Appropriations Do Pass 13-1
SB 2030 A E * Appropriations Do Pass 13-1
SB 2414 A * Finance and Taxation Do Not Pass 5-2 Cook
SB 2380 A * Industry, Business and Labor Do Pass 6-0 Klein
SB 2372 A * Agriculture Do Pass 7-0 Wanzek
SB 2265 A * Human Services Do Pass 6-0 Wanzek
SB 2258 A * Judiciary Without Committee Recommendation 6-0 Potter
SB 2239 A * Finance and Taxation Do Pass 7-0 Cook
SB 2243 * Government and Veterans Affairs Do Not Pass 4-1 Nodland
SB 2177 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 13-1 G. Lee
SB 2201 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 8-6 Cook
SB 2283 A * Appropriations Do Not Pass 8-6 Taylor
SB 2333 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 J. Lee
SB 2340 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 8-6 Heckaman
SB 2373 * Appropriations Do Pass 8-6 Krebsbach
SB 2381 A * Appropriations Do Not Pass 8-6 Horne
SB 2412 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Holmberg
SB 2387 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 12-2 Seymour
SB 2121 * Appropriations Do Pass 11-3
SB 2408 A * Appropriations Do Not Pass 14-0 Holmberg
SB 2402 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Hogue
SB 2335 A * Appropriations Do Not Pass 13-1 Dotzenrod
SCR4001 * Appropriations Do Pass 13-0
SCR4009 A * Judiciary Do Pass 6-0 Krebsbach
SCR4010 * Transportation Do Pass 6-0 Mathern
SCR4014 * Human Services Do Pass 5-0 Wardner
SCR4023 * Human Services Do Not Pass 4-1 Krauter
SCR4013 * Judiciary Without Committee Recommendation 6-0 Hogue
SCR4016 * Transportation Do Pass 6-0 Potter
SCR4008 * Government and Veterans Affairs Do Pass 5-0 Dever
SCR4020 * Natural Resources Do Pass 7-0 O'Connell
SCR4018 * Agriculture Do Pass 7-0 Wanzek
SCR4022 * Industry, Business and Labor Do Pass 7-0 Krauter
Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Security Policy We use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology to ensure your information is secure and protected.
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W3C WAI AA, CSS, XHTML Compliant | Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved. The State of North Dakota.
Day 33 - February 19, 2009
Convene Times: 8:00AM
This is a LIVE page and is subject to change. Live Senate Audio | Live Senate Video
6th Order - Consideration of Amendments
Bill
Number Floor
Action AM EM CO Message Committee Committee
Recommends Comm
Vote Primary
Sponsor Versions
SB 2004 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Engross
SB 2012 * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Engross
SB 2230 * Appropriations Do Pass 13-1 Bakke Engross
SB 2266 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 J. Lee Engross
SB 2332 * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 J. Lee Engross
SB 2365 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 13-1 Oehlke Engross
SB 2199 A * Appropriations Do Pass 12-2 Wardner Engross
SB 2225 * Appropriations Do Pass 10-4 Stenehjem Engross
SB 2228 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Stenehjem Engross
SB 2393 A E * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Taylor Engross
11th Order - Second Reading of Bills and Resolutions
Bill
Number Floor
Action AM EM CO Message Committee Committee
Recommends Comm
Vote Primary
Sponsor Versions
SB 2075 A * Appropriations Do Pass 13-1
SB 2030 A E * Appropriations Do Pass 13-1
SB 2414 A * Finance and Taxation Do Not Pass 5-2 Cook
SB 2380 A * Industry, Business and Labor Do Pass 6-0 Klein
SB 2372 A * Agriculture Do Pass 7-0 Wanzek
SB 2265 A * Human Services Do Pass 6-0 Wanzek
SB 2258 A * Judiciary Without Committee Recommendation 6-0 Potter
SB 2239 A * Finance and Taxation Do Pass 7-0 Cook
SB 2243 * Government and Veterans Affairs Do Not Pass 4-1 Nodland
SB 2177 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 13-1 G. Lee
SB 2201 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 8-6 Cook
SB 2283 A * Appropriations Do Not Pass 8-6 Taylor
SB 2333 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 J. Lee
SB 2340 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 8-6 Heckaman
SB 2373 * Appropriations Do Pass 8-6 Krebsbach
SB 2381 A * Appropriations Do Not Pass 8-6 Horne
SB 2412 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Holmberg
SB 2387 * Appropriations Do Not Pass 12-2 Seymour
SB 2121 * Appropriations Do Pass 11-3
SB 2408 A * Appropriations Do Not Pass 14-0 Holmberg
SB 2402 A * Appropriations Do Pass 14-0 Hogue
SB 2335 A * Appropriations Do Not Pass 13-1 Dotzenrod
SCR4001 * Appropriations Do Pass 13-0
SCR4009 A * Judiciary Do Pass 6-0 Krebsbach
SCR4010 * Transportation Do Pass 6-0 Mathern
SCR4014 * Human Services Do Pass 5-0 Wardner
SCR4023 * Human Services Do Not Pass 4-1 Krauter
SCR4013 * Judiciary Without Committee Recommendation 6-0 Hogue
SCR4016 * Transportation Do Pass 6-0 Potter
SCR4008 * Government and Veterans Affairs Do Pass 5-0 Dever
SCR4020 * Natural Resources Do Pass 7-0 O'Connell
SCR4018 * Agriculture Do Pass 7-0 Wanzek
SCR4022 * Industry, Business and Labor Do Pass 7-0 Krauter
Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Security Policy We use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology to ensure your information is secure and protected.
Will open a new window (pop-up).
W3C WAI AA, CSS, XHTML Compliant | Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved. The State of North Dakota.
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