North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum reflected on the substantial progress and historic challenges of the past year in the 2021 State of the State Address. While addressing a joint session of the 67th North Dakota Legislative Assembly, Governor Burgum called for bold action and investments in infrastructure to build a strong future for the 2021-23 biennium. “We have the opportunity today to take advantage of low interest rates,” said Burgum. “The beauty of the $1.25 billion bonding proposal is that it doesn’t raise taxes even one single dollar.” Specifically, Burgum cited the challenging conditions, both economically and environmentally, farmers and ranchers faced in 2020. A “flock of black swan events” including market crashes, flooding and drought tested their resiliency. To conclude the address, Burgum reminded North Dakotans that global pandemics, like COVID-19, aren’t all doom and gloom. “Yes, pandemics and global economics are extremely complex. But, there is one things we’ve always known. The power of love and forgiveness can disarm and disable the anger that has attempted to divide us.” Watch a video of the address and read the entire transcript.