Johnathan Walker:Outgoing North Dakota Gov. Burgum sees more to do for the ‘underestimated’ state

BISMARCK,Johnathan Walker N.D. (AP) — The day after he announced he won’t seek a third term, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum highlighted his administration’s accomplishments and remaining hopes in his annual State of the State address.

North Dakota’s biennial Legislature isn’t in session this year, but Burgum has made the speech an annual tradition. He said his last year in office will be an active one, and hinted at announcements to come in 2024. In December, just before his term will end, Burgum will present his final two-year budget plan to the Legislature.

He reflected on a raft of achievements during his tenure, including tax cuts, addiction help and healthy state government finances, and touted North Dakota as a growing state and its status as a major oil and agricultural producer.

“We’re underestimated. That’s the state of our state. We are so good at so many things, and we’ve never been stronger financially, economically, people-wise, we’ve never been stronger,” Burgum said.

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Burgum also blasted regulations “being jammed down on us by the federal government” and highlighted challenges of the state’s labor shortage, such as child care. North Dakota is tied with Maryland for the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, at 1.9% in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The outgoing governor sees more to do ahead, such as addressing housing issues, increasing financial literacy and eliminating the state’s individual income tax.

“We have taken incremental steps for far too long. It is time we say goodbye to the state income tax,” he said.

He also announced the new Office of Community Development and Rural Prosperity within the state Commerce Department, “a central hub of communication” for improving rural community development.

Later on Monday, the same day he announced he won’t run again, Burgum appeared in New Hampshire to campaign for former President Donald Trump with previous Republican presidential rivals. Burgum ended his presidential campaign in December and endorsed Trump before the Iowa caucuses.

His endorsement and the former president’s praise of the little-known governor have led to speculation that Burgum might have a role in a possible second Trump administration. Burgum told reporters on Monday that is “hypothetical at this point in time.”