Burgum, tribal chairs complete signing of tribal-state gaming compacts, which now await Interior approval
Gov. Doug Burgum and the chairpersons of the five tribal nations with whom North Dakota shares geography on Friday completed the signing of new tribal-state gaming compacts, which now go to the U.S. Department of the Interior for final approval.
The current tribal gaming compacts are set to expire early next year, requiring the governor and tribes to negotiate new gaming compacts. The Department of the Interior has 45 days to approve or reject the signed compacts. If Interior takes no action within those 45 days, the compacts automatically go into effect.
“We are deeply grateful to the tribal chairs and their representatives for their collaboration throughout these many months of negotiations, and we look forward to continuing the mutually beneficial gaming partnership between the state and the sovereign tribal nations with whom we share geography,” Burgum said.
Changes to the compacts include eliminating unnecessary duplication of regulation, cleaning up a number of other regulatory and definition issues, and allowing online Class III casino-style gaming and online sports betting, including mobile gaming, within the physical boundaries of the reservations.
Burgum appoints Bismarck attorney Nathan Svihovec to serve as state labor commissioner
Gov. Burgum on Tuesday announced the appointment of Bismarck attorney Nathan Svihovec to lead the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights, citing his extensive experience representing both public and private employers and employees at the state and federal levels. Svihovec began his new role as state labor commissioner on Thursday.
Svihovec most recently served as an attorney with a Bismarck-based law firm, representing and advising employers and employees in various protected categories before the Department of Labor and Human Rights, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal and state courts, and state administrative agencies. He also has represented employees in tribal employment matters.
Svihovec previously served as an assistant attorney general for the North Dakota Office of Attorney General from 2017 to 2020, representing and advising state agencies – including the Department of Labor and Human Rights – in employment law matters. He also worked as a law clerk for state district court judges and in human resources for private sector companies.
“Nathan’s deep knowledge of employment law, his background in representing both employers and employees in the private and public sectors, and his leadership and operational experience as an attorney and National Guard sergeant make him well-suited to lead the Department of Labor and Human Rights,” Burgum said. “As labor commissioner, his compassion and dedication to removing employment barriers, encouraging cooperative relationships between employers and employees, and ensuring fair treatment for all will serve the citizens of North Dakota well.”
A native of Watford City, Svihovec earned an associate’s degree from Bismarck State College, bachelor’s degrees in human resource management and business administration from Dickinson State University and his law degree at the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks. He served in the North Dakota National Guard from 2008 to 2016, achieving the rank of sergeant and being named North Dakota Soldier of the Year in 2009.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the needs of North Dakota employees and employers with the outstanding team at the Department of Labor and Human Rights,” Svihovec said. “I look forward to building on the department’s efforts to leverage technology and improve processes to best serve North Dakotans with courtesy, respect, patience and empathy.”
Burgum expressed his gratitude for Kathy Kulesa, who has served as interim state labor commissioner since Oct. 1 and will remain as human rights director for the department.
The Department of Labor and Human Rights is responsible for enforcing state labor and human rights laws and for educating the public about the laws. It also licenses employment agencies operating in the state and can verify the status of independent contractor relationships. The department is authorized for 13 team members and has a two-year budget of $2.9 million.
Governor, First Lady ‘Inspire Hope’ at annual State Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Gov. Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum were joined by the public for music, carols and a holiday reading at the 41st annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Thursday in Memorial Hall at the Capitol.
The theme of this year’s Christmas tree is “Inspire Hope,” in connection with the first lady’s platform of instilling hope in people to know that recovery from the disease of addiction is possible. The theme also broadly applies to the notion that every person can inspire hope in others during the holiday season.
This year’s ceremony featured performances from the 2022 Governor’s Band, the Bismarck Century High School Wind Ensemble; the Horizon Middle School Sixth Grade Choir; and pianist Joel Gilbertson.
The tree was ceremoniously lit by three individuals in recovery and their families to signify hope, opportunity and renewal during the holiday season.
Burgum and North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) request nominations for the 2023 ND Governor’s Awards for the Arts
The North Dakota Governor’s Awards for the Arts is a biennial program presented by the Governor’s Office and North Dakota Council on the Arts to recognize organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in the state.
All nominations must be submitted by Dec. 20.
Nomination categories include: Individual Achievement (artist, staff, or volunteer); Nonprofit Arts Organization; For-profit Arts Organization / Private Business; Arts in Education (teaching artist, educator, school, or administrator); and the Individual Cultural Heritage Award.
Recipients are selected based on the following criteria: expanding arts opportunities to new audiences; improving the quality of arts experiences; length of service in the arts; creating an appreciation for North Dakota’s cultural heritage; and making the arts more central to education and an integral part of community life.
Final candidates are submitted to the governor for selection of the award winners. A special reception and award ceremony will be held at the Heritage Center in Bismarck on Wednesday, Feb. 1.