Local Republicans Dominate - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Local Republicans Dominate

It was a big night for Minot Republicans last night.

Republicans dominated, locally.

District 38 Representatives Larry Bellew, and Dan Ruby, as well as Sen. David Hogue re-captured their seats.

In District 40, Representatives Matt Klein and Bob Franstog, and Senator Karen Krebsbach will return to Bismarck for the legislative session.

North Dakota has a nice budget surplus as lawmakers begin their work this time. However, they say that's poses a challenge: not to spend too much.

Rep. Matt Klein

"there will be a lot more demands on the money we have, we will have to sort through and make sure we don't commit ourselves to things we can't handle in the long run "

Sen. Karen Krebsbach , "the demands are going to come in stronger, because they feel we have the money"

Rep. Larry Bellew, "the challenge for me will be keeping the budget under control, making sure we have a sustainable budget by the time we get out of there"

Rep.Dan Ruby, "certainly we have the money for priorities, there will be a fight over what those priorities are"

Rep. Bob Frantsvog "property tax is the number one issue I heard from voters"

Sen. David Hogue "we are going to spend some on infrastructure, and of course flood recovery, and give some back through property tax and income tax rates "

State lawmakers will gather in Bismarck December 3rd for an organizational session. The legislature convenes in January.