| Leadership Remarks from Governor Doug Burgum | \n||
| Governor Burgum will discuss how our educational system can be the best in the world and meet the needs of our business sector\, and how we can leverage innovation to strengthen and diversify our economy. While the feds continue to dish out generations? worth of stimulus dollars\, Burgum will also share his vision for how we can strategically use federal funding to support workforce development and economic growth without growing government. \n \n This session is sponsored by Midco \n \; | \n ||
| Is Constitutional Measure Reform Needed? | \n||
| The North Dakota Constitution has faced a proposed amendment by initiated measure in every election cycle over the past decade. Due to the frequency of these proposed adjustments\, there is a perceived assumption that alterations to our state'\;s charter are being done easily\, with out-of-state interests and dollars. Over the past couple of years\, the initiated measure process has begged review from various audiences\, including the 2017 Legislative Assembly. An interim study examined the process\; yet\, no substantive structural changes resulted from this work leaving the question remaining on whether constitutional measure reform is needed. While both sides agree that citizens have a right to initiate constitutional amendments\, it'\;s the process by which these revisions are done that has people divided. \n \; | \n \; \; \; | \nModerator: \;Rick Clayburgh\, North Dakota Bankers Association \; \n \n Panelists:\n
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| Too big\, too small\, just right - Views on ND'\;s $16.9B Budget | \n||
| This past year\, Governor Doug Burgum unveiled a budget plan totaling $15B. However\, when the dust settled the Legislature approved the largest budget in state history\, $16.9B. While some of these dollars are due in part to federal dollars related to COVID-19 relief\, there has been great debate on whether this amount was too much\, too little\, or just right. \n \n \; | \n \; \; \; \; | \nModerator: Nick Hacker - GNDC Board Member \n \n Panelists:\n
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| ESG'\;s Influence on ND | \n||
| ESG (environmental\, social\, and corporate governance) criteria\, which promote the ideals of sustainable business practices\, are garnering the attention of businesses across all sectors in Corporate America. Shifting from CSR (corporate social responsibility)\, decision-makers are incorporating ESG policies and practices to appeal to local\, national\, and global stakeholders\, investors\, and insurers. \n \; \n This panel discussion will drill down past the initial concept to look at ESG policies influencing business decisions in North Dakota. \; \n \; | \n \; \; \; | \nModerator: Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford \n \n Panelists:\n
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| ND'\;s Changing Political Dynamics &\; \;Policy Implications | \n||
| In recent years\, North Dakota has witnessed visible political shifts during elections. The ND GOP'\;s hold on the congressional representation\, state elected officials\, and the state legislature has been coined as a super supermajority. Only 21 Democrats hold office\, these seats are held between both the ND Senate and the ND House of Representatives with no representation held beyond this level. Despite this Republican stronghold\, the political scene is not as cut and dried as it seems. These evolving\, un-fixed situations are beginning to\, and continue to\, see policy implications that will guide the path of our state'\;s future. \n \; \n This panel discussion will cover redistricting\, ideological platforms creating factions or subdivisions\, district decisions\, and national trends. | \n \; \; \; | \nModerator: \;Dave Thompson\, Prairie Public \n \n Panelists:\n
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