State of State Oil Impacts | Video

Jennifer Joas | 1/8/2013

The State of the State address also focused on oil impacts in western North Dakota. Governor Dalrymple spoke of the 16,000 housing units built in the last two years. He is encouraging the legislature to increase the housing incentive fund to $50 million. He also wants to increase the DOT`s budget by one-billion dollars this biennium to $2.7 billion.

Democrats say they want to see more of the oil production taxes go back to the local municipalities.

"There`s no reason why these communities should come hat in hand to Bismarck every two years asking us to meet needs that should have been met a year and half ago," said Sen. Mac Schneider (D-Grand Forks).

Dalrymple is also proposing to increase public safety in the patch by hiring an additional 15 highway patrol troopers.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY