The North Dakota Legislature is standing by to see how much money they'll have to spend over the next two years.
State budget analysts and the economic consultancy Moody's Analytics on Wednesday are slated to present new North Dakota tax collection forecasts to Legislature.
The estimates will be used to craft the state's upcoming two-year budget. But slumping prices for oil and farm commodities likely will force lawmakers to restrain generous spending increases proposed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple in December, when oil prices were much higher.
Lawmakers have idled major spending bills this session until the economic assumptions are released.