Gov. Burgum welcomes ND National Guard 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment home from overseas
Gov. Doug Burgum joined community members, fellow elected officials and members of the North Dakota National Guard on Friday to honor 53 Soldiers and their families at a welcome home ceremony at Burdick Arena in Devils Lake. The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of the Devils Lake-based 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment and demonstrated appreciation of the families and employers for their support during their recent overseas mission.
Burgum, commander-in-chief of the North Dakota National Guard, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, Rep. Kelly Armstrong and Devils Lake Mayor Jim Moe joined Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general,and other senior Guard leaders in honoring the Soldiers.
“With their successful deployment in support of operations overseas, the 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment has proven once again that North Dakota National Guard soldiers are among the best in the nation,” Burgum said. “In just nine months, these well-trained and highly skilled soldiers fulfilled an incredible 130-plus construction missions and requests for engineer support on 16 bases spread across six countries, providing crucial housing, utilities and other support. We are deeply grateful for their service and for the families, employers and communities who supported these soldiers during this critically important mission.”
The Soldiers were deployed from August 2021 to June 2022 and served overseas in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations.
“We are all proud of your service and the quality of construction work performed during your mission. It speaks volumes about your reputation when higher headquarters requests the 835th Engineers by name – thank you for representing the North Dakota National Guard so well,” Dohrmann said. “As always, we are indebted to our Families and employers. With their support, we can continue to successfully accomplish all of our missions, here at home and abroad.”
The North Dakota Guard Soldiers performed general construction in support of U.S. and partner forces serving in the CENTCOM area. The Soldiers fulfilled over 130 construction missions and requests for engineer support on 16 bases spread across six countries, providing crucial housing, utilities and other support.
Burgum creates Red Tape Reduction Working Group to reduce burdens, lower costs of regulation
Gov. Burgum on Thursday issued an executive order creating a Red Tape Reduction Working Group to bolster ongoing efforts to identify antiquated, unnecessary and burdensome regulations, rules and policies that could be changed or eliminated to reduce burdens and lower costs for North Dakota citizens and the private sector and make state government more efficient, effective and nimble.
The working group will collaborate across all cabinet agencies and participating non-cabinet agencies to review regulations, restrictions, requirements, red tape and policy that has become outdated, burdensome and inefficient.
Each participating agency will designate a Red Tape Reduction Officer who will report back to the full working group on their progress. The working group will review recommendations for changes to the North Dakota Century Code and state Administrative Code and prepare a comprehensive Red Tape Reduction Act for consideration by the 68th Legislative Assembly in 2023.
“Prioritizing innovation over regulation has been a hallmark of our administration, and today’s action will build upon those efforts by scrutinizing regulations and policies on an agency-by-agency basis to identify unnecessary, duplicative and burdensome red tape,” Burgum said. “Reducing the number of regulations and streamlining those that remain will lower costs, promote freedom and make it easier for North Dakota citizens, innovators and entrepreneurs to reach their fullest potential.”
Ideas from citizens to reduce red tape will be accepted via the Governor’s Office website at the link below. North Dakota’s more than 150 state-level boards and commissions also will be invited and encouraged to participate.
Sanford thanks law enforcement for service at annual conference of ND Peace Officers Association
Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford on Thursday welcomed law enforcement officers from across North Dakota to Bismarck, thanking them for their service during the 111th annual North Dakota Peace Officers Association Conference.
"We’re thankful you’re out there every day on the front lines, keeping our citizens safe, bringing lawbreakers to justice, building relationships with community members and creating a safe environment for people to thrive," Sanford said. "North Dakota continues to be a safe place to live with close-knit communities, good schools, a strong economy and the best quality of life in the nation – thanks in no small part to the vigilance of our peace officers."
The Burgum-Sanford administration has taken multiple steps to support peace officers, including:
- Investing in new interoperable communications technology for law enforcement.
- Supporting corrections reform and justice reinvestment to try to reduce recidivism create better neighbors instead of better prisoners.
- Investing in behavioral health to address addiction, support recovery and break the cycle of behavior that too often requires intervention by the criminal justice system.
- Utilizing $3 million of federal coronavirus relief funds to support enhancements to the Law Enforcement Training Academy.
- Signing legislation to cover the cost of health insurance for surviving spouses and dependents of law enforcement officers and other first responders who die in the line of duty.
Burgum calls for public schools, governing bodies to administer the Pledge of Allegiance, display flag
Gov. Burgum on Monday released the following statement regarding the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools and at meetings of elected governing bodies in North Dakota.
“America is the land of opportunity. And students in every public school in North Dakota, along with elected governing bodies and those who attend their meetings, should have the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and express support for the American ideals upon which our country was founded,” Burgum said. “To that end, our administration is creating a framework for legislation to guarantee that the opportunity exists to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, as other states have done. We look forward to working with lawmakers to bring a proposal to the 68th Legislative Assembly in January. As North Dakotans and Americans, we believe strongly in the value of this traditional and powerful affirmation that we are one nation, united under one flag, with liberty and justice for all, aspiring toward a more perfect union and acknowledging that such noble work never ends.”
State Sen. Scott Meyer of Grand Forks and state Reps. Pat Heinert of Bismarck and Todd Porter of Mandan have agreed to collaborate with the Governor’s Office to craft the legislation.
“The Pledge of Allegiance is one of the strongest and most unifying statements that we have as Americans,” Meyer said. “During this time of civil discourse, it is a guiding light.”
“The saying of the Pledge of Allegiance is important for our boards and commissions prior to public meetings as they are elected and are there to serve the people,” Heinert said.
Morrissette nationally recognized for outstanding work in state government
North Dakota Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Joe Morrissette was recognized by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) with the 2022 Outstanding CPA in Government Impact Award at the state level.
“During Joe's more than four years as OMB director, he has led the department with integrity and proven himself a strong asset to the state. His impact on the state, political subdivisions, citizens and his team members is immeasurable, and this award confirms that he is exceptional on the national level as well,” Gov. Burgum said.
“Joe is an innovative leader who is respected among his colleagues and team members. He is a trusted advisor to the governor, state legislature, state agencies and the citizens of North Dakota, sharing his extensive knowledge on complex budget issues and the state budgeting process. This recognition is well deserved,” stated Office of the Governor Chief Operating Officer and AICPA award nominator, Tammy Miller.
Miller added that Morrissette has nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the state, working with the state budget, revenue forecast and tax policy.
“I am truly honored to receive the Outstanding CPA in Government Impact Award,” said Morrissette. “I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the AICPA for this recognition, to Tammy Miller for her nomination, and Governor Burgum for his recommendation. The accomplishments being recognized by this award are not mine alone, but the result of the great team at OMB. I consider myself fortunate to work with such a committed group of individuals and would like to thank them for their continued dedication to state agencies, the citizens of North Dakota, and each other.”
The Outstanding CPA in Government Impact Award recognizes the impact of recent significant contributions of CPAs to the efficiency, effectiveness, or innovative service delivery of their respective local, state, or federal employer organizations. Two recipients receive government impact awards each year: one recognizing a CPA in state government and one in local government.
The award was presented to Morrissette virtually during the 2022 AICPA & CIMA Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update Conference on Monday, Aug. 15, by the AICPA and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, representing the unified voice of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. The collaboration? works to advance the global accounting and finance profession on behalf of 689,000 AICPA and CIMA members, students and engaged professionals in 196 countries and territories.
Boards and Commissions openings
Currently, there are many boards or commissions openings accepting applications.
Boards and Commissions is made up of North Dakota citizens appointed to represent their community and peers as they help influence policies and programs that play an instrumental and invaluable role to help Empower People, Improve Lives and Inspire Success.
The Governor appoints to over 150 Boards and Commissions representing a wide variety of industries.
To be considered for an appointment candidates are invited to complete the application located below.