Gov. Mike Rounds (R) highlighted the state’s energy potential in his annual state-of-the-state address Jan. 8 and urged legislators to restrain spending on education and transportation.
Rounds proposed new incentives to boost bio-diesel production and said he supports the construction of a major new oil refinery and a petroleum pipeline running from Canada through the Midwest. Both the refinery and pipeline have drawn opposition from residents and some local governments over environmental concerns.
The governor also outlined before the Republican-controlled Legislature his budget proposals, focusing on a 2.5 percent increase in education spending and criticizing school districts for keeping too much money in reserve. On transportation spending, Rounds suggested cutting spending for the state highway patrol as one way to cover for the shrinking amount of state and federal gasoline tax dollars.
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