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The student section takes part in a cheer
on Jan. 20. (Photo by Jenae Orluck)
Just rolling with it ...
called 'The Roller Coaster' during the
Beach boys
Buccaneers' game with Killdeer
1
in
By MIKE JACOBS
N.D. Newspaper Association
BISMARCK - The state budget
is the centerpiece of every legislative
session, and this session the process
is more complicated than usual.
There are two sets of budget bills
reflecting different budget assump-
tions, and there are two additional caused consternation recently.
4. Budget suggestions that origi-
budget frameworks, one each from
the new governor and one from the -nate in the governor's office are im-
portant but they are purely advisory.
legislative leadership.
It's a little bewildering.
Here are some points to keep in
mind as budget building proceeds at
the North Dakota Legislature.
, 1. Budget work continues
throughout the session.
' 2. Draft budgets are interesting,
ibut pretty nearly meaningless. At last
four of these have been floated in this
session; a couple have already sunk.
3. Budgets depend as much on
evenue forecasts as on spending as-
'.sumptions. Republican leaders in the
Legislature have a much leaner fore-
'.cast than either Gov. Jack Dalrymple,
hose projected budget is the guide-
Jine most often cited, or Gov. Doug
3urgum, whose calls for more cuts
Draft budgets are interesting, but pretty
nearly meaningless. At last four of these
have been floated in this session; a couple
have already sunk.
also have influence on budget mat-
ters.
6. There's not a whole lot of flex-
ibility in the budget. Carlson has de-
Legislators determine where money veloped a budget lesson that he likes
will be spent, to share. "It's all about the three
5. Some legislators are more in- eights," he says. These are edu-
flue.ntial than others when it comes to cATE, medicATE and incarcerATE.
budgeting. Budgets are considered This is an exaggeration; jails really
first in Appropriations committees in don't cost that much money. Public
each house. The Senate committee safety takes less than 4 percent of the
has 14 members, 11 Republicans and budget. Education at all levels takes
three Democrats. In the House, the about 27 percent, and so does human
committee has 22 members, 19 Re- services. Transportation is the other
publicans and three Democrats. The big budget item, 23 percent. These
committee chairs are especially in- figures represent overall spending.
fluential. In the Senate, that's Ray 7. Spending from the state general
Holmberg of Grand Forks; in the fund gets more attention than other
House, it's Jeff Delzer of Under- spending. The general fund is made
wood. Republican leaders, A1 Carl- up largely of taxes paid directly by
son of Fargo in the House, and Rich North Dakota citizens and busi-
Wardner of Dickinson in the Senate, nesses. General fund spending
amounts to 42.4 percent of the total
budget. Funds from the federal gov-
ernment make up 25.6 percent of the
total budget. Spending from special
funds - much of it for transportation,
amounts to 31.9 percent.
These figures are from the budget
developed by former Gov. Jack Dal-
rymple, which serves as a guideline
for budget discussions. It is by far the
most detailed of budget proposals so
far advanced, and will almost cer-
tainly remain that until the final
budget is approved.
8. You can't spend money you
don't have, as Carlson is frequently
heard to say.
9. The state has sources of money
that might be tapped. The Dalrymple
budget taps the Legacy Fund, for ex-
ample. This was built from taxes on
oil and gas production. There's also a
foundation aid stabilization fund that
likely will be used to meet public
school expenses - but probably not
to ease budget woes in higher educa-
tion.
10. Don't expect any of this to be
finalized until the end of the session.
Budget work is last-minute work.
mm •
nl
BISMARCK - North Dakota;s
state individual income tax filing
season opened Jan. 23, coinciding
with the Internal Revenue Ser-
vice's filing season opening.
Tax Commissioner Ryan
Rauschenberger said the office is
expecting another substantial tax
season. For the 2016 tax season
there were more than 509,000 indi-
vidual income taxpayers who filed
in North Dakota. Approximately
85 percent of those taxpayers e-
filed.
"We are still encouraging tax-
payers to e-file as it is the fastest
and most secure way to file,"
Rauschenberger said. "A majority
of North Dakotans are actually eli-
gible to e-file their taxes for free,
depending on income and age."
Rauschenberger explained that
by answering a few questions on-
line using the "ND Free File" tool,
taxpayers can see if they qualify to
file their federal and state returns
for free with certain tax software
companies. Taxpayers may also e-
file by purchasing tax preparation
software, by working with a tax
professional, or by using the Office
of State Tax Commissioner's
stand-alone free "ND Fillable
Forms" option, which is for ND re-
turns only.
This filing season North Dakota
is requesting driver's license or
"We are still en-
couraging taxpay-
ers to e-file as it is
the fastest and most
secure way to file. A
majority of North
Dakotans are actu-
ally eligible to e-file
their taxes for free,
depending on in-
come and age."
Tax Commissioner
Ryan
Rauschenberger
payers that refunds will likely take
longer to process again this year.
Taxpayers may use the "Where's
My Refund?" tool found at
www.nd.gov/tax/refund to track
their refunds. This tool includes a
refund tracker, as well as informa-
tion for the taxpayer on the status
of their return. Taxpayers may also
sign "up to receive e-mail or text
alerts when their refund is issued.
Information on the "Where's My
Refund?" tool is updated daily.
North Dakota tax booklets and
forms may be found on the Office
state-issued identification card in-
of State Tax Commissioner's web- ,JL~
forna letect onicaffly filed site at wwwlnd gov]tax-/forms-JBe
tax returns. This is an additional ef-
ginning this year, the North Dakota
fort to fight stolen-identity tax
Office of State Tax Commissioner
fraud and to protect taxpayers and
will no longer be printing and mail-
their tax refunds.
ing tax booklets or forms. IRS
"We remind taxpayers to file forms . may be found at
early to help prevent tax refund
fraud." Rauschenberger said. "AI- www.irs.gov or by calling 1-800-
TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
though fraud was down last year, it The due date to file and pay
is not a sign that we can be less 2016 individualincome tax returns
diligent in working to combat it. It is Tuesday, April 18, this year be-
means that what we are doing is cause April 15 falls on a Saturday,
having an impact, and we need to and the following Monday, April
continue our efforts."
17, falls on Emancipation Day - a
Because of fraud prevention el-
legal holiday that is observed in the
forts, Rauschenberger reminds tax- District of Columbia.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presi- Theodore Roosevelt Presidential
dential Library Foundation Library means to them and what
(TRPLF) will hold a community they would like to see there," said
forum from 6-7:30 p.m.,Thursday, TRPLF Roosevelt scholar Clay
Jan. 26, at the Medora Community Jenkinson, who will lead the
Center Roosevelt Room in Medora. forum.
This is one of a number of fo- This event is free of charge and
rums that will take place in com- open to the public. Refreshments
munities throughout the region will be served. The Medora Com-
over the next several months. Their munity Center is located at 465 Pa-
purpose is to provide updates on cific Ave. in Medora.
the project and gather ideas from The TRPLF is an independent
community members, not-for-profit organization that was
"We want to have a conversa-formed in 2014 with the purpose of
tion with the people of western building the Theodore Roosevelt
North Dakota about what the Presidential Library in Dickinson.
in
More than 8.8 million Ameri- Open Enrollment for 2017 cov- HealthCare.gov or Cuidadode- find plans with a premium for less For 2017, HealthCare.gov con- information and compare your op-
cans were signed up for 2017 cov- erage through the Health Insurance S alud.gov to review their coverage than $75 per month, sumers in North Dakota could save tions for 2017.
erage through HeatthCare.gov as Marketplace began Nov. 1, 2016, options, learn about what financial Nationwide, about 8 out of 10 an average of $300 annually in pre- Free, confidential help can be
of Jan. 14, 2017, including 21,192 and runs through Jan. 31, 2017. assistance is available, or to sign people who enroll in health cover- miums for a plan in the same level found in perstm or by phone at 1-
in North Dakota. Consumers who enroll by Jan. 31 up or re-enroll in a plan that best age through HealthCare.gov qual- of coverage by returning to shop. 800-318-2596 for confidential as-
This compares to about 8.7 mil- willhave coverage effective March meets their needs, ify for financial help to make their If you had coverage through sistance 24/7, in English or
lion signups nationally as of Jan. 1. About 71 percent of North monthly premiums more afford- HealthCare.gov for 2016, you Spanish, or at visit HealthCare.gov
14 last year. North Dakotans should visit Dakota Marketplace enrollees can able. should come back to update your and CuidadoDeSalud.gov.
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