Gov. Dalrymple says he could never have imagined it.
Dalrymple served as chairman of the North Dakota House Appropriations Committee – when the state was much less prosperous.
"We would work all winter long on the budget, trying to get to a point where we could show a $5 million ending fund balance," said Dalrymple. "In those days, that was about two days' worth of spending. It took all of our talents and all of our prudence and everything else to just get to that point."
In those days, the Legislature also issued bonds to build buildings. But now, Dalrymple says, the state has the money to pay cash for building projects – and to take care of many other needs.
"And I was so proud when Standard & Poor's gave us an AAA rating," said Dalrymple. "That's the best rating there is. It's a total recognition of the incredible financial strength of our state."
Dalrymple says the state still has some challenges ahead – in making sure infrastructure keeps up with demand.
(If you would like to hear the full interview with Gov. Dalrymple, it will be broadcast this afternoon (Dec. 27) on the "Mainstreet" program -- and posted on line after that.)
