The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from North Dakota

Attorneys General Prepare to Defend Controversial Laws

State attorneys general are about to head to court to defend controversial state laws. Are they required to defend laws that might not survive legal scrutiny?

Alaska Gambles With Major Oil Tax Cut

A multi-billion dollar tax experiment could make or break Alaska’s economy and provide a lesson for other states.

Fight Over Abortion Rules Could Reverberate Widely

Mississippi could be one step closer to becoming the first U.S. state without an abortion provider after a state hearing Thursday. But the legal fight over the state’s abortion law is far from over, and could have far-reaching implications for other states with similar laws.

Higher Ed Cuts Mean Major Tuition Hikes

Tuition at public colleges in Arizona and California has spiked more than 70 percent over the past five years, the result of massive cuts to state higher education funding in those states and most others.

The 5 States Most Vulnerable to Sequestration’s Education Cuts

Automatic federal budget cuts will slash more than $1 billion in K-12 education dollars this year, paring everything from Title I money for low-income students to school improvement initiatives.

States Seek Legal Limits on Domestic Drones

Lawmakers in nearly half the states are working to set legal limits on the use of drones, before they become a key part of domestic policing.

North Dakota State of the State Address 2013

BISMARCK, North Dakota -- Jan. 18 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jack Dalrymple's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Governors Kick Off Legislative Sessions

Two of the country’s most prominent Republican governors opened their states’ legislative sessions with state of the state speeches from different fiscal vantage points. One day after a strong revenue projection for the upcoming two years, Texas Governor Rick Perry was somewhat optimistic, but warned lawmakers aga

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: North Dakota

How well is North Dakota protecting kids from tooth decay?

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: North Dakota

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Republicans Win Big in North Carolina Governor’s Race But Struggle Elsewhere

Despite heavy spending by outside groups in nearly a dozen races for governor, the partisan mix of Democrats and Republicans leading states appeared to change only slightly as a result of Tuesday’s elections.

Judge Allows Election Day Campaigning in North Dakota

A federal judge has prohibited North Dakota officials from enforcing a century-old state law that makes campaigning on Election Day illegal, calling it a violation of free speech.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in North Dakota

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Two of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in North Dakota and hold 16 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in North Dakota may be paying.

Democrats Play Defense in Governors’ Races

The race for New Hampshire governor has the hallmarks of the biggest gubernatorial races this fall: heavy involvement from outside groups, a national contest stealing the spotlight and messages that echo themes from this year’s presidential campaigns.

One of Five Americans Struggling To Afford Food, Survey Finds

Despite record food stamp enrollment around the country and an economy considered to be on a modest upswing, the Great Recession is continuing to take its toll on many Americans, a Gallup survey found.

Even in Hard Times, States Find It Difficult To Recruit Talent

As state government hiring picks back up, competing with the private sector for highly skilled workers is becoming a challenge for some agencies.

Infographic: Annual State Lottery Sales

New York led all states in lottery sales in fiscal year 2011. Massachusetts residents spent more per capita than residents of any other state.

North Dakota Surplus to Hit $2 Billion Within a Year

You can stop talking about North Dakota’s $1.5 billion surplus. It is expected to hit $2 billion.

Widening Gap Update: North Dakota

North Dakota failed to consistently pay its full annual pension contribution from 2005 to 2010. The system was 72 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $1 billion funding gap. Most experts agree that a fiscally sustainable system should be at least 80 percent funded. The state also had a $113 million bill for retiree health care costs, 30 percent of which was funded, well above the 8 percent national average in 2010.

North Dakota Voters Sidestep Controversies

On an Election Day that featured intraparty legislative races in several states, North Dakota voters shied away from several controversies over the University of North Dakota's “Fighting Sioux” nickname, protections for religious liberty and local property taxes.

Will North Dakota Be the First State to End Property Taxes?

Anti-tax activists are supporting a measure on the ballot that would represent a huge change in tax policy. Most of the state’s politically influential people and groups are opposing them.

Time Served in North Dakota

The average offender in North Dakota released in 2009 served 2 years in custody, 54% more than the average offender released in 1990.

Election Websites: North Dakota

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Feds Short of Disaster Funds to Rebuild Roads

A record-setting year of disasters took its toll on the nation's roads and bridges, and the federal fund to help states rebuild them has been tapped out.

North Dakota Up, North Carolina Down in Growth Index

TODAY'S TAKE: A Bloomberg evaluation of how states are faring in the aftermath of the Great Recession shows North Dakota powering forward and North Carolina lagging behind, in part because of Bank of America's woes.

North Dakota Dispatch: Smaller Counties Mean Larger Election Costs

In North Dakota, research indicates that elections cost significantly more per voter in smaller counties than larger ones.

NCAA Wins Fight Over North Dakota's 'Fighting Sioux'

TODAY'S TAKE: The NCAA rejected a last-minute effort by North Dakota officials to keep the University of North Dakota's controversial 'Fighting Sioux' nickname in place, ending a political and legal battle that has dragged on for five years.

Measuring Transportation Investments: North Dakota

A May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Children's Dental Health: North Dakota

North Dakota meets five of the eight policy benchmarks for strengthening children’s dental health—one more than it met last year. Hygienists in North Dakota are now allowed to place sealants under general supervision.

North Dakota Budget Increases Spending by 20 Percent

TODAY'S TAKE: The state budget that North Dakota lawmakers approved last week raises general-fund expenditures by 20 percent over two years. Governor Jack Dalrymple and the Legislature masked the huge increase with an accounting maneuver, The Associated Press finds.

Abuses in Delaware Weatherization Program Revealed

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Delaware's troubled energy efficiency efforts ... a deal to remove protections for wolves ... Iowa leads in wind power and other energy and environment news.

Foreclosure Aid Program Gets Underway in Florida

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Florida rolls out a program to help homeowners avoid foreclosure … A GOP plan to turn food stamps into a block grant gets mixed reviews … Texas experiences a child boom, and other social policy news.

North Dakota State of the State Address 2011

BISMARCK, N.D. - Jan. 4 - Following is a transcript of Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) 2011 state of the state address: Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley, distinguished legislators, Justices of the Supreme Court, elected officials, chairman Tex Hall, First Lady Betsy, Kathleen Wrigley, our military personnel and fellow citizens o

Jerry Brown's Tax Plans Come into Focus

California's governor-elect wants to extend income, sales and vehicle tax increases, Nevada's incoming governor finally quits his day job, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Maine Republican Legislators Contemplate End to Labor Committee

TRANSITION WATCH: Maine Republicans seek to fold historic panel, Connecticut's pension gap gets bigger, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Whose Drugstore Is It?

An unusual North Dakota law aimed at protecting small-town druggists has been generating spirited political debate ever since its passage nearly half a century ago. This year is no exception.

The Bank of North Dakota: Banking's 'Public Option'

Originally intended to help farmers by increasing access to farm loans, the nation's only state-run bank now does a healthy business lending to businesses, students and private-sector banks. Some see the model as a beacon of economic stability and financial independence.

East Coast Governors Split on Drilling

TODAY'S TAKE: President Obama's announcement Wednesday (March 31) that the federal government would allow new offshore oil and gas drilling, primarily off the East Coast, received a mixed reaction from governors of the affected states. Some saw it as long-overdue while others raised economic and environmental concerns. But the reactions did not break down along party lines.

The Trillion Dollar Gap: South Dakota

South Dakota is managing its long-term pension liability well, but needs to improve how it handles the bill coming due for retiree health care and other benefits.

The Trillion Dollar Gap: North Dakota

North Dakota needs to improve the way it manages its long-term pension liability, but it is doing a relatively good job of handling the bill coming due for its retiree health care and other benefits.

Weekly Wrap: Officials Hope to Dodge Pay Backlash

Top officials in several states took steps to show the public that they, too, are making do with less take-home pay. Meanwhile, state revenues decline for a fourth straight quarter, Oklahoma erects wind turbines among the oil derricks on its capitol grounds and Illinois halts all state lobbyist registration.

Report: 11 States Emerging From Recession

It's going to be a long, hard climb out of the current economic downturn for many recession-ridden states hit hard by the housing crash, unemployment and shrinking revenues. But as the national economy starts its slow recovery, 11 states and the District of Columbia are showing signs of emerging from the recession, according to a new report.

One in 31: North Dakota

One in 63 adults is under correctional control in North Dakota.

Tracking the Recession: Iowa, N.D. Victims of Investment Fraud

State employee pension funds, already losing billions of dollars in investment value, could be at increased risk of financial schemes during the recession.

North Dakota State of the State Address 2009

BISMARCK, N.D. - Jan. 6 - Following is a transcript of Gov. John Hoeven's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address . Lt. Gov. Jack and Betsy Dalrymple, distinguished legislators, cabinet members, Justices of the Supreme Court, elected offic

War Veterans Benefit From New State Laws

New voter-approved laws will make it easier for veterans to make the transition from wartime service to everyday life. Some states now offer help to veterans applying for jobs, paying taxes and buying homes.

Slumping Economy Hits Prosperous States

With the fall in energy and farm prices, many well-off states are finding they can't escape the national recession.

Squeeze Spares Some States

Not every state is having budget troubles. Alaska, Texas, West Virginia and others are faring better than most because of their booming energy industries. But North Dakota stands out because it has energy and agriculture - and not many people.

WORTH NOTING: Washington Dems Sing a Different Tune

The Washington state Democratic Party gets criticized for an attack ad linking an Italian-American politician to the Sopranos. The Pennsylvania Senate considers a bill to expand bathroom access to people with bowel disorders. And North Carolina's motor vehicle department is embarrassed by a sample license plate on its Web site. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

WORTH NOTING: Legislator Has Paparazzi Issues

A new Colorado legislator made waves his first day by kicking a news photographer. A North Carolina gubernatorial candidate opens his campaign with a spelling error, and then a cover-up. And North Dakota's governor is angry about how his state is portrayed in National Geographic. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.