Governor Armstrong’s budget aims to reduce prison crowding and boost housing investments in North Dakota
His proposed budget is around $19.9 billion, which is a bit more than the previous governor’s plan. Armstrong wants to add more prison beds and set aside funds for education savings accounts. He’s also looking to use bonding for a new state hospital and other projects.
Armstrong mentioned that Grand Forks County has a plan to help with prison crowding. They’re expanding a correctional center but need funds to operate it. His budget includes $16.1 million to help staff and run this new section, adding 90 beds by July.
He’s also proposing a temporary housing facility to add another 88 beds at the Missouri River Correctional Center by summer 2026. That’s a total of 178 new beds in the next two years. Armstrong stressed the need to relieve pressure on the prison system now.
In addition to prison issues, he’s setting aside $105 million for housing, which is about $10 million more than the last budget. This includes a new program aimed at boosting housing opportunities and $35 million for the Housing Incentive Fund.
Armstrong is also focusing on education, suggesting a 2% annual increase in K-12 funding and $44.3 million for education savings accounts. He wants to help families pay for services like tutoring and mental health support.
For property tax relief, he’s proposing $483.4 million, aiming to raise the primary residence tax credit significantly. His goal is to eliminate property taxes for all North Dakotans in the next decade.
Overall, Armstrong’s budget is a mix of new investments and some cuts, but he’s optimistic about making wise spending choices. Lawmakers are eager to dive into the details and start discussions on these proposals.
