BISMARCK -- State lawmakers have released their lists of committee assignments for the 2011 Legislature.
House
These Republicans serve as chairmen of House committees:
Appropriations: Jeff Delzer, Underwood; Education and Environment Division: Bob Skarphol, Tioga; Government Operations Division: Blair Thoreson, Fargo; Human Resources Division: Chet Pollert, Carrington.
Human Services: Robin Weisz, Hurdsfield; Industry, Business and Labor: George Keiser, Bismarck; Judiciary: Duane DeKrey, Pettibone; Education: RaeAnn Kelsch, Mandan; Finance and Taxation: Wes Belter, Leonard.
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Agriculture: Dennis Johnson, Devils Lake; Government and Veterans Affairs: Bette Grande of Fargo; Natural Resources: Todd Porter of Mandan; Political Subdivisions: Nancy Johnson of Dickinson. Transportation: Dan Ruby of Minot; Constitutional Revisions: Kim Koppelman of West Fargo.
Senate
These Republicans will serve as chairmen of Senate committees:
Appropriations: Ray Holmberg, Grand Forks; Education: Layton Freborg, Underwood; Finance and Taxation: Dwight Cook, Mandan; Industry, Business and Labor: Jerry Klein, Fessenden.
Judiciary: Dave Nething, Jamestown; Human Services: Judy Lee, West Fargo; Government and Veterans Affairs: Dick Dever, Bismarck; Natural Resources: Stan Lyson, Williston. Political Subdivisions: John Andrist, Crosby; Transportation: Gary Lee, Casselton; Agriculture: Tim Flakoll, Fargo.
Budget highlights
The North Dakota executive budget for the 2011-13 biennium is more than 300 pages, so Gov. Jack Dalrymple's budget address Wednesday couldn't touch on everything.
Here are some other items included in the budget:
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- Office of the Attorney General. The executive recommendation includes one-time funding of $312,400 from the general fund for crime lab equipment and Bureau of Criminal Investigation undercover vehicles and a surveillance van.
- Office of Management and Budget. The budget includes one-time funding of $50,000 for a coordinator to plan events for North Dakota's 125th anniversary.
- School for the Deaf. Nearly $1 million is slated for critical fire suppression, air handling, electrical service and other safety/health improvements to the school building, kitchen/dining building and dormitory.
The improvements are partially funded with $835,000 originally appropriated by the 2009 Legislature for remodeling of the Trades Building.
- Career and Technical Education. Grant funding is increased by $1 million to provide support for establishing one new virtual career and technical education center to expand offerings for students.
- Department of Human Services. Dalrymple recommends providing $3.4 million to hospitals for uncompensated care when serving Department of Human Services' mental health clients.
The budget includes $300,000 to increase funding available to senior service providers, a network of nonprofit agencies and volunteers delivering home and community-
based services to the elderly.
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- Industrial Commission. The governor recommends funding 10 new full-time employees to conduct field inspections of drilling rigs and facilities; to ensure that all oil and gas production is accurately and timely reported; and to administer the subsurface minerals program.
The entire budget can be found at www.nd.gov/fiscal/
docs/budget/executivebudgetsummary2011-13.pdf.
Finneman is a multimedia reporter for Forum Communications Co., which owns the Herald.
