Gov. Burgum meets with Japanese consul general during ND visit to strengthen local ties
Gov. Doug Burgum joined the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO) last week as it hosted Japanese Consul General Hiroshi Tajima along with representatives from the Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Honorary Consul Ron Leonhardt.
The visit was a continuation of the Japanese Consulate in Chicago’s Grassroots Caravan initiative in which they seek to collaborate with state, regional and local leaders and build economic cooperation between Japan and the United States.
Following a successful visit to western North Dakota in August 2021, the delegation was interested in learning more about the agriculture, energy and technology industries across the state.
Their visit to North Dakota included meetings with Gov. Burgum, Commerce Commissioner James Leiman and NDTO Executive Director Drew Combs, as well as tours of SB&B Foods in Casselton, Red Trail Energy in Richardton, and a special visit to Crary Industries in West Fargo, which is a subsidiary of Yamabiko Corp. based in Tokyo, Japan.
"It is an honor to host the Japanese Consul General Tajima and his team in North Dakota,” Gov. Burgum said. “We are excited for the many collaborative opportunities in energy, technology and agriculture that will benefit many North Dakotans for years to come.”
A governor-led Japanese trade mission is planned for the second half of 2022, with more details forthcoming.
Burgum names Mandan attorney Ryan Norrell as Governor’s Office general counsel effective Feb. 28
Gov. Burgum announced that Mandan attorney Ryan Norrell will serve as the next general counsel for the Governor’s Office, effective Feb. 28, citing his broad experience in both the private and public sectors, including as legal counsel for the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) and as state’s attorney for LaMoure County.
Norrell has served as general counsel for Farm Credit Services of Mandan since 2015, managing the legal functions of the customer-owned financial cooperative. He previously served as an attorney focused on water law at Dwyer Law Office in Bismarck and as legal counsel for the PSC, focusing on the Public Utility Division. Prior to that, Norrell operated his own law practice in LaMoure, serving as the elected state’s attorney in LaMoure County from 2011 to 2013 and as city attorney for multiple cities.
“Ryan brings a broad range of experience in government and the private sector, from working on critical water issues and testifying before legislative committees to providing legal advice to county and city officials and arguing criminal matters before the North Dakota Supreme Court,” Burgum said. “He also has represented North Dakota farmers and ranchers and has the ability to translate the law into common language to serve clients of all backgrounds. Combined with his work in state government and on federal issues, his diverse background and expertise will serve the citizens of North Dakota well.”
Norrell earned his bachelor’s degree in 2006 from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and his law degree in 2009 from the University of North Dakota School of Law. He has been a member of the State Bar Association’s Ethics Committee since 2018.
Norrell will succeed current General Counsel Leslie Bakken Oliver, who has served in the Governor’s Office since Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford took office on December 2016. Bakken Oliver announced her retirement in August pending the transition to a new general counsel. Burgum expressed his deepest gratitude for Bakken Oliver’s exceptional service to the State of North Dakota.
Burgum statement on Supreme Court blocking Biden’s vaccine mandate on private businesses
Gov. Burgum released the following statement Thursday after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration did not have authority to impose a vaccine mandate on private businesses with 100 or more employees.
“Today’s ruling reaffirms what we’ve said from the beginning: This misguided vaccine mandate was blatant federal overreach by the Biden administration,” Burgum said. “Vaccines and boosters remain the best defense against COVID-19 severe illness, hospitalization and death and are readily available to all North Dakota residents, and we encourage those who haven’t been vaccinated to consult with their trusted medical provider.”
The Supreme Court upheld 5-4 a separate vaccine mandate on employers who receive funding through federal Medicare or Medicaid programs, affecting an estimated 17 million health care workers. Burgum expressed his disappointment that hospitals and long-term care facilities won’t be allowed to make their own vaccine decisions as private employers.
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 retirement of ND House Majority Leader Chet Pollert
Gov. Burgum released the following statement after North Dakota House Majority Leader Chet Pollert of Carrington announced he will retire from the Legislature when his current term expires later this year. Pollert has served in the House of Representatives since 1999 and was selected as House majority leader in November 2018.
“We are deeply grateful to Rep. Pollert for his more than two decades of service to the citizens of District 29 and his strong and steady leadership in the House. Being majority leader in a part-time citizen legislature during the last three years has been a full-time job and more,” Burgum said. “As owner-operator of a grain and feed business and past chair of the House Appropriations’ Human Resources Division, Chet has been a champion for farmers, ranchers and the business community and a strong advocate for social services. And as a conservative majority leader, he has supported strategic investments in infrastructure, economic development and education while holding the line on general fund spending.”
“Perhaps most importantly, as a true statesman, you always know where Chet stands,” Burgum added. “His principled approach to challenging issues and his lack of gamesmanship have earned him the respect of his colleagues and certainly of this office. We also thank his wife, Jo, three children and two grandchildren for supporting Chet as he served the citizens. We wish him and Jo all the best in retirement and look forward to collaborating on key initiatives throughout this year – and seeing him pass us on the interstate on his motorcycle more often.”
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.
