Yes, N.D. Needs A New Trajectory

The most important issue in North Dakota is the economy. Since North Dakota is a hyper-cyclical economy, the most important job of the next governor will be to get spending more in line with the econo

Yesterday, Doug Burgum announce his candidacy for Governor of North Dakota.

His big policy point was to say that North Dakota must change its trajectory as it relates to state spending vs. the state's economy.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who is also running for governor took issue with that saying "Most North Dakotans believe that North Dakota is on the right track,” Stenehjem added. “What we need to do is not change our trajectory but build on our success."

While that is generally true when it comes to regulatory issues - it is absolutely not the case when it comes to state spending issues.

The trajectory of state spending has been straight up, and for years many folks have pointed this out and made an issue of it.

The state's legislature has followed the path of unsustainable budgets for some time.

Most law makers have understood this was a problem, but they did not have the political will to push back against the last two governors (of their own party).