Issue Position: Public Safety and Quality of Life

Issue Position

North Dakota is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live. Numerous publications and agencies have ranked our state high in categories ranging from happiness and well-being, to business and careers. Personal income growth is higher in North Dakota than it is anywhere else in the country and almost three times the national average. We continue working to do all we can to maintain the high quality of life we expect in North Dakota. That means not only providing infrastructure to meet our needs, but also ensuring we have the resources necessary to keep our growing communities safe.

Law Enforcement

As North Dakota's economy and population grows, so do the needs of its communities. This is especially true in terms of public safety. We are working with local, state, and federal officials to ensure that law enforcement has the resources they need to keep our communities safe. It is critical that programs such as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and the Regional Information Sharing System (RISS) are fully funded to help state and local law enforcement to prevent and respond to crime.

As one of the founding members of the bipartisan U.S. Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, I will continue to facilitate communication and coordination among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, to help improve public safety in the western region of North Dakota, I have worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to create a permanent office in Williston, and I am currently working with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to establish a permanent presence in the region.
Housing and Infrastructure

North Dakota's unprecedented growth means we have a higher demand for housing than ever before, particularly in the western part of the state. I have worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to secure funds to develop quality housing in our cities and rural areas.

I have worked with corporations like Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) and federal agencies such as the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) to ensure we have safe energy infrastructure throughout North Dakota. In addition, this infrastructure will reduce flaring and make available more home heating fuel.

Attractions

There are a variety of events and attractions enjoyed every year by North Dakotans and visitors to North Dakota. Our state celebrated 125 years of statehood in 2014, an event marked in part by a major expansion and renovation of the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in Bismarck -- a project I started as governor. Another attraction is Theodore Roosevelt National Park which covers more than 100 square miles of North Dakota Badlands in western North Dakota.

Some of North Dakota's many annual events are Norsk Høstfest, North America's largest Scandinavian festival; the Fargo Marathon; Big Iron, a farm equipment showcase attracting more than 85,000 people from around the world; and the United Tribes International Powwow.

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