A recap of recent events and happenings in the administration of Gov. Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Strinden





The Scope
________________________________________________________________________



*January 24, 2025*

________________________________________________________________________


budget address
*Armstrong’s executive budget highlighted by property tax relief, infrastructure and housing investments *

*"Budget process involved reducing additional FTEs and spending in multiple areas; proposal funds new housing solutions, educational opportunities"*

 

Gov. Kelly Armstrong recently presented his executive budget recommendations [ [link removed] ] for the 2025-27 biennium, highlighting significant investments in property tax relief, housing and infrastructure, education opportunities for students, and other priorities.

In testimony [ [link removed] ] Jan. 15 to the Joint House-Senate Appropriations Committee, Armstrong outlined a general fund budget of $6.6 billion and a total budget of $19.89 billion. Within that total is $483.4 million for property tax relief and reform; $464 million in bonding for construction projects; $44.3 million for Education Saving Accounts; $50 million for higher education Challenge Grants; and $16.1 million to staff and operate the Grand Forks County Correctional Center’s new expansion as an immediate, temporary solution to prison overcrowding.

“Combined, these represent roughly a billion dollars in new investment in infrastructure, educational opportunities for students, and property tax relief,” Armstrong said. “Without having time to dig into base budgets, we had to find other places to reduce spending in the Burgum administration’s budget proposal, which had already reduced agency requests. We cut another $600 million,” including reducing staff and spending on new programs and construction that wasn’t scheduled to begin until the end of the 2025-27 biennium.

As he did in detail in his State of the State Address [ [link removed] ], Armstrong outlined a property tax reform and relief plan that will provide a property tax credit of $1,550 per year for each primary residence next biennium and cap future increases in local property tax budgets at 3% per year. Legacy Fund earnings would initially pay for part of the relief and eventually cover all the cost.

The proposed budget leaves $230 million in the general fund ending balance and over $500 million in the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund – not including any of the SIIF revenue from next biennium, which pushes the projected SIIF balance to $1.6 billion.

“We’re leaving real cushions for legislative priorities,” Armstrong said.

A copy of the governor’s budget address is available here [ [link removed] ].

*Read the Full Press Release* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________


HelloND
*Armstong, Coleman unveil North Dakota Tourism’s new promotional materials  **  ** * 

Gov. Armstrong along with Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman released new marketing materials this week promoting thousands of the state’s travel businesses and amenities, while inviting visitors and showcasing why North Dakota is a must-see destination.    

Tourism has launched a revitalized "Hello ND" campaign, featuring a fresh look and feel designed to resonate with today's travelers. The campaign showcases the state's friendly people, welcoming communities, and abundance of uncrowded outdoor adventures, aligning with the growing trend of slow (more immersive) travel. Building on the success of 2024's efforts, which generated over 438 million impressions and a 30% increase in website traffic, the campaign will expand its reach through digital advertising, social media, outdoor TV, and sponsorships throughout the year.  

“Effective tourism marketing not only attracts visitors but also plays a key role in broader economic development by enhancing North Dakota’s image as a great place to live, work, and do business,” Armstrong said. “This new campaign showcases our state’s unique offerings and friendly atmosphere to a wider audience.” 

What makes the 2025 "Hello" campaign unique is that it wasn't scripted. The new materials include new footage captured in 15 locations across the state. The video and print ads showcase the beautiful imagery in a fresh way, with more sweeping aerial views based on feedback from potential visitors.  

“What sets North Dakota apart is the authenticity and genuine spirit of our people, and the 2025 "Hello" campaign captures this perfectly,” Otte Coleman said. “Through unscripted interactions and breathtaking visuals, including sweeping aerial views, the campaign extends a warm invitation to experience our great state.” 

The state’s official Travel Guide is 116 pages featuring beautiful imagery and easy-to-find information to inspire and motivate visitors to experience North Dakota’s outdoor adventures, history, culture and warm, welcoming communities. Itineraries are an expanded feature, encouraging travelers to extend their stay and experience more. Traveler information is available for more than 250 North Dakota communities. Approximately 225,000 copies will be distributed through traveler request, inquiry fulfillment, AAA offices, airports, ports of entry, attractions, hotels, rest areas, regional brochure racks and visitor centers.  

The 2025 Hunting and Fishing Guide features an overview of North Dakota’s fishing waters, guide and outfitter listings, and hunting seasons details. This publication directs to many resources including North Dakota Game and Fish for detailed information. Approximately 40,000 copies will be distributed. 

 

*View the 2025 Campaign* [ [link removed] ]


*Read the Full Press Release* [ [link removed] ]


________________________________________________________________________


Trump
*Governor's statement on inauguration of Donald J. Trump as 47th president of the United States *

Gov. Armstrong released the following statement after he and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong attended the swearing in of Donald J. Trump as the 47th president of the United States on Monday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

“Today we celebrate the start of a presidency and the promise of a new era of freedom and prosperity for America and North Dakota,” Armstrong said. “We are beyond excited to begin working with President Trump to grow the economy, secure our borders, unleash American energy, support our farmers and ranchers, strengthen our military, defend the Second Amendment and protect our citizens from federal overreach. Congratulations, Mr. President, and welcome home.”

________________________________________________________________________



*Armstrong: BLM’s finalized Resource Management Plan is bad for North Dakota, should be repealed*

Gov. Armstrong issued the following statement in opposition to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finalizing its updated Resource Management Plan (RMP) for North Dakota, despite repeated objections from the state.

The state filed a protest [ [link removed] ] in September with input from more than a dozen state agencies and elected officials who thoroughly reviewed the draft RMP filed earlier this year. The finalized RMP blocks leasing on over 4 million acres, or nearly 99%, of federal coal acreage in North Dakota, and closes off 213,100 acres, or 44%, of federally owned fluid mineral acreage from leasing. It also will cost the state an estimated $34 million per year in revenue from oil and gas royalties and taxes and could eliminate more than 12,000 coal-related jobs in the state. Former Gov. Doug Burgum also filed a final appeal [ [link removed] ] last month, which the BLM denied.

“It’s clear that BLM had no intention of listening to North Dakota and was dead set on imposing this disastrous plan in the waning days of the Biden administration, ignoring our state’s legitimate concerns and unique situation when it comes to mineral ownership,” Armstrong said. “This plan won’t make our state any safer, but it will destabilize our electrical grid, weaken our national security and raise energy costs for consumers in North Dakota and beyond. We will use every tool at our disposal, including working with our congressional delegation and former Gov. Burgum once he’s confirmed as Interior Secretary, to repeal this plan and protect states’ rights.”

 

________________________________________________________________________



*Armstrong supports legislation creating incentive program to attract value-added agriculture projects *

Gov. Armstrong announced his support for legislation creating an incentive program to attract value-added agriculture projects to North Dakota.

House Bill 1332 [ [link removed] ], which had its hearing before the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday, authorizes a “value-added agriculture production facility incentive program” and provides up to $30 million for projects. Armstrong’s executive budget recommendation also proposed funding to support value-added ag projects. The Governor’s Office submitted testimony in support of HB 1332.

“North Dakota has a long history of success in attracting value-added agriculture projects to our state, from the recent addition of soybean processing plants in Spiritwood and Casselton to the proposed $500 million Agristo potato processing plant in Grand Forks,” Armstrong said. “This legislation will provide an additional tool to build on that success, benefiting our farmers, ranchers and communities for generations to come.”

In his first State of the State address [ [link removed] ] on Jan. 7, Armstrong called for promoting pro-agriculture policies and creating opportunities for value-added agriculture across the state.

________________________________________________________________________



*IN OTHER NEWS*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________

Former Gov. Ed Schafer brings his old desk back to the Governor's Office for Gov. Armstrong to use. 

Read the full story on Facebook. [ [link removed] ]

Desk

WeThePeople

Gov. Armstrong helps congratulate the winners of the We the People school state finals, including the team from Edgeley moving on to the national finals in April.



________________________________________________________________________

Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden visits with unmanned aerial systems and autonomous organizations in Memorial Hall during UAS Day at the Capitol.

Strinden is chair of the Northern Plains UAS Authority, which focuses on safety, privacy and development of technologies, principles and procedures for UAS integration into the national airspace. 

UAS

DickinsonStudents ________________________________________________________________________

Gov. Armstrong welcomes Dickinson Leadership students to the Capitol, discussing the legislative process.



________________________________________________________________________

Gov. Armstrong meets with Rural Leadership ND members to discuss opportunities and how the state can better assist our rural communities in economic development.

 

Rural

________________________________________________________________________









Stay Connected with the Governor's Office:



[ [link removed] ]    [ [link removed] ]    [ [link removed] ]    [ [link removed] ]



 

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using govDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: The State of North Dakota · 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 110
Bismarck, ND 58505-0400 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]

body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;}