A state lawmaker from Rolla has announced he's seeking the Democratic NPL endorsement for Governor.
Rep. Marvin Nelson is 57. He's an agricultural consultant. He was first elected to the Legislature in 201 -- and won re-election in 2014.
Nelson says he's especially concerned about the state's current budget situation.
"We are a state in crisis," Nelson told Bismarck reporters. "And it seems that our Governor has left the room."
Nelson says the smart thing for Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) to do is to call a special legislative session. He says a Governor's hands are tied by the allotment process, which only allows across the board budget cuts. Dalrymple ordered agencies to cut 4.05 percent from their budgets.
"Cutting everything in state government the same does not work," Nelson said. "This is serious enough that it needs to have the Legislature make these policy decisions."
Nelson says the Legislature will likely have to tap into the Legacy Fund to help balance the budget for the next biennium.
"I don't think we have any choice," Nelson said. " Our only other choice is to raise taxes. We are fortunate it (the Legacy Fund) is there."
Nelson also said that might mean tapping into the fund's principal, not just the interest.
"The interest is all but gone," Nelson said.
Democrats will choose their statewide candidates at the party's satte convention -- March 31st and April First -- in Bismarck.
