BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple has asked agencies to stick to their current spending plans when crafting new budgets for the next two years.
Dalrymple addressed agency administrators on Wednesday at the state Capitol in Bismarck.
Dalrymple says the guidelines apply to ongoing state programs. He says they won't affect one-time spending on road repairs and other essential projects.
North Dakota departments will use the outline to write spending plans for the next two-year budget cycle.
Dalrymple will use the proposals to craft his own spending recommendations to the Legislature when lawmakers meet in January.
The state's current two-year, $6.8 billion general fund budget has more than doubled since 2009.