ND Legislature: Lots of hands out for $1B surplus

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The North Dakota Legislature starts its

2011 session Tuesday, and lawmakers will have plenty of suggestions

about spending the state's $1 billion surplus.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple is giving his State of the State address

Tuesday afternoon, about an hour after the Legislature's first

official day begins at noon.

Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle will speak to lawmakers about

the state's judicial system on Wednesday. Three Affiliated Tribes

chairman Tex Hall is giving a tribal governments speech on

Thursday. A number of committees are holding hearings on bills.

Hazen Sen. Randy Christmann says there's less money available

for state programs than the surplus numbers indicate. He says big

chunks are already spoken for.

Newburg Rep. Bob Hunskor says he believes North Dakotans want

the Legislature to watch its spending.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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