Rep. Kari Conrad, D-Minot

The 2009 Legislative Session was mostly about money how much will the State of North Dakota have in the next two years and how will we invest these revenues to maintain a modern infrastructure. Unlike most other states, our oil related revenues allow our state government to fulfill this responsibility. When the Legislature got all done, I think we did pretty well.

We are helping local governments with their extraordinary snow related expenses and providing for state, county, township and city road repair and construction. We will be contributing 70 percent of the cost of a revitalized K-12 education system and provide funding for a university system educating our workforce and introducing innovations and expertise to our farms and businesses.

We will also give raises to state employees who provide the services, as well as equity funds to ensure that their wages are competitive with private industry and our regional competitors. And, we, after many years where we have provided minimal funding, we will again pay the true cost of medical, rehabilitation, and dental care for low income citizens.

Of special significance were three areas where government investment in infrastructure assists private business flourish: child care, tourism facilities, and the orderly development of natural resources.

Quality child care will attract and keep a young workforce vitally important to the state's economy. In national comparisons North Dakota has for years had the greatest percent of mothers working outside the home. With the state's investment in background checks for new providers, $1.75 million for equipment and facility grants, and $3.5 million for staff development, we will begin to ensure that all young children and their families have safe, nurturing care.

For our tourism industry we invested $70.82 million in infrastructure, including projects at the Heritage Center, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, the State Fair Grandstand, the Medora hotel, and the International Peace Gardens. Well designed, state of the art facilities attract visitors.

Our most cutting edge investment was to assist wind energy providers with tax incentives for facility investments and rules to ensure orderly development.

At the same time the 2009 North Dakota Legislature left $700 million in reserves the Permanent Oil Trust Fund, the Budget Stabilization Fund, and the Property Tax Relief Sustainability Fund and dedicated trust funds like The Common Schools Trust Fund and the Water Resource Trust Fund.

North Dakota citizens can feel proud that their state government is again doing its part to make North Dakota the land of opportunity. The last 20 years have been lean and investments have been minimal. Now, we again have the necessary revenues, and I believe we are investing wisely.