Two state Senators say the 2019 Legislature accomplished a lot.
But they say some things were left on the table.
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner (R-Dickinson) and Sen. Erin Oban (D-Bismarck) spoke to a group of elected and appointed state officials and employees in Bismarck. The group has the acronym "JEL" -- for "Judicial, Executive and Legislative" branches.
Both agreed that strides were made in education funding, and in raises for state employees.
Wardner said he believes the most important interim study for the Legislature is the use of the proceeds from the state’s Legacy Fund. He said the Legislature needs a “blueprint” on using that revenue going forward.
"I do not want a referral," Wardner said. "I don't want people coming in and messing it up. We want to make sure that it's not for some special interest groups. I want to make sure it's good for the people of North Dakota."
Wardner said he has some ideas – including funding for roads and bridges, education and behavioral health. And he said if lawmakers don’t have to touch the fund’s principle, the earnings will continue to grow.
"And we will be able to meet the needs of this state that we've never been able to think about," Wardner said. "It will take a little patience."
Oban said another study to watch is the ethics study.
"We all have an interest in making sure that is implemented in a good way," Oban said. "We have to have an honest conversation about that."
Both were asked about what was left on the table unfinished. Wardner said he had hoped more would be done on career and technical education.
"It will help with workforce development and meeting the workforce demands in our state," Wardner said. "We need to look at career and technical educational facilities across the state."
Wardner said he thinks the state needs about 8 of those to be built.
Oban said the state needs to do more with pre-K schools and child care.
"I think we have completely missed the boat on that (in North Dakota)," Oban said. "We need to make serious improvements in that area."
Oban also said the Legislature has what she called a “weird approach” to local control, pointing out a bill that would prevent a North Dakota city from banning the use of plastic grocery bags.
"We all claim to support local control, until there's an issue we don't like," Oban said. "I don't think that's our place."
Gov. Doug Burgum also talked to the "JEL" meeting. He said state government has to get away from the mindset that budget increases equate to "wins." Burgum said he continues to encourage state agencies to look for ways to deliver services more efficiently.
Burgum also criticized some of the declared Presidential candidates for advocating the break-up of the biggest high-tech companies. Burgum said some of them are targeting Google, Facebook and Apple – companies that he says have made billions of dollars in investments in research and development, and employ a lot of people.
"If we want to break them up, you know who wins?" Burgum said. "China wins, Germany wins, Brazil wins, Russia wins -- anyone who is in technology."
Burgum used to run Great Plains Software, which was sold to Microsoft. He said 20 years ago, Congress was considering breaking up Microsoft.
"Imagine what would have happened if Congress did that," Burgum said. "You wouldn't be using smart phones or devices like that."
