Burgum appoints PSC member Brian Kroshus to be North Dakota’s next tax commissioner
Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Brian Kroshus to serve as North Dakota’s next tax commissioner, citing his experience as a business leader and his background in defending the public interest as a member of the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) for approximately five years.
Kroshus was appointed to the PSC by Burgum on Feb. 28, 2017. He was elected by voters in 2018 and then re-elected in 2020. He previously was a division leader and executive team member for Lee Enterprises, including serving as group publisher for Mandan-based Lee Agri-Media, the nation’s largest network of agricultural newspapers across a 15-state region, and as publisher of the Bismarck Tribune from 2005 to 2015.
“With his combination of private sector experience in leading a complex business operation and public sector experience in looking out for the best interests of consumers, Brian Kroshus is well-suited to fairly and effectively administer the tax laws of North Dakota,” Burgum said. “We are deeply grateful for his outstanding service to our citizens as a public service commissioner and look forward to his continued commitment to taxpayers as state tax commissioner.”
Kroshus will begin leading the Office of State Tax Commissioner Jan. 4. The agency currently has budgetary authority for 118 permanent team members and hires about 25 additional team members on a temporary basis for each income tax filing season.
Kroshus will serve out the remaining year of the unexpired four-year term of current Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger, who is resigning effective Jan. 3.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the highly capable team in the Office of State Tax Commissioner and look forward to serving North Dakota citizens in this new capacity,” Kroshus said. “Treating taxpayers with fairness, transparency and efficiency will be my top priority, understanding that this office and its duties are administered with the people’s money. We’ll also continue to work across state government and with our tribal and private sector partners to create and maintain a stable tax and regulatory environment that will support economic growth and prosperity for all.”
Kroshus, a Fargo native, earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and economics from North Dakota State University in 1987. He spent 10 years with Forum Communications in Fargo before joining the Bismarck Tribune in 1997. He was promoted to group publisher for Lee Agri-Media in 2004.
Kroshus has served on the board of directors of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce, Bismarck-Mandan Development Association and the United Way, and on the board of trustees for the Bismarck State College Foundation, Sanford Health Foundation and Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation.
Burgum welcomes announcement of soybean processing plant near Casselton
Gov. Burgum issued the following statement Dec. 22 regarding the announcement that North Dakota Soybean Processors LLC plans to construct a state-of-the-art soybean processing plant near Casselton.
“This soybean crushing facility is another landmark investment in North Dakota agriculture, one that will add tremendous value for our soybean growers, create quality jobs and benefit all North Dakotans through greater economic activity and tax revenue that supports essential services and critical infrastructure,” Burgum said. “Investments like this put more money in the pockets of our farmers by expanding local markets while also building connections between our ag and energy industries for further value-added activity. We’re grateful to our highly productive soybean growers, North Dakota Soybean Processors, the North Dakota Department of Commerce, North Dakota Department of Transportation, City of Casselton, Casselton Economic Development, Cass County Commission, The Harvest Group, Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC and everyone whose dedication and hard work on this project made today’s announcement possible.”
North Dakota Soybean Processors, a joint venture between CGB Enterprises Inc. and Minnesota Soybean Processors, said the new facility is expected to crush 42.5 million bushels of soybeans in the first year and create 50 to 60 new jobs once fully operational in 2024, subject to various approvals. Groundbreaking is slated for spring 2022.
Burgum to deliver State of the State Address on Jan. 19 at NDSU
Gov. Burgum will deliver his 2022 State of the State Address at 10 a.m. Jan. 19 in Festival Concert Hall at the Reineke Fine Arts Center at North Dakota State University in Fargo.
The address will be livestreamed from the Governor’s Office website at www.governor.nd.gov.
For a look back at the past year's historic progress on infrastructure, workforce, economic development and other priorities, as well as major challenges including extreme drought conditions and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, click the link below.
Burgum statement on passing of state Rep. George Keiser
Gov. Burgum released the following statement regarding the Dec. 22 passing of state Rep. George Keiser of Bismarck. A U.S. Army veteran and owner of Quality Printing Service, Keiser had represented District 47 in Bismarck since 1993 and served as a Bismarck city commissioner from 1988 to 1992.
“Rep. George Keiser served the citizens of North Dakota and District 47 with passion and dedication for nearly three decades, applying his experience and wisdom as a successful business owner and employer to his role as chairman of the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee,” Burgum said. “He was a longtime supporter of the business community through his efforts on workforce safety and insurance policy and was a strong advocate for health care reform, fairness in health insurance and transparency in prescription drug costs, always looking out for the well-being of North Dakota’s workers and families. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues in the Legislature.”
Applications being accepted for Western Governors' Leadership Institute
Applications are now being accepted for the Western Governors’ Leadership Institute.
The purposes of the institute are to recognize, reward and encourage the effective exercise of leadership by young adults across the West, and encourage its future development.
Every year, the institute will select one young adult to represent each western state and territory. Delegates will attend an exclusive leadership forum in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on July 24-25, followed by the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) Annual Meeting July 26-28, also in Coeur d'Alene. The Western Governors’ Foundation will pay all expenses associated with delegate participation.
To be eligible, applicants must be a permanent resident of Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or Guam.
Eligible applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 25 years old on July 24, 2022.
To apply, submit a completed application to leadershipapplication@westgov.org by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2022. The subject line should read: “WGLIAPP2022[Your Last Name][Your State]”. Please submit all materials in PDF file format.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals not related to you must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 15, 2022, to leadershipapplication@westgov.org. These letters should be sent directly from your references. They should be written by individuals who know you well and can speak to your character, leadership qualities, and future potential. Please ask your references to submit all materials in PDF file format. The subject line should read: “WGLI LOR for [full name of applicant]”.
Team ND is working as one to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) and other state agencies continue to work to slow the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota and administer safe and effective vaccines. In partnership with federal, local and tribal partners, Team ND has tackled this pandemic through a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach.
- For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, see the NDDoH website.
- NDResponse.gov is your one-stop site for the latest news, as well as state and federal resources for COVID-19.