Governor Hoeven's Six Pillars
Quality of Life - Enhancing North Dakota's Greatest Resource
» Law Enforcement and Public Safety
North Dakotans enjoy a quality of life that is unsurpassed in the nation. From clean air and safe communities to exceptional schools and four-season recreational opportunities, North Dakota has a lot to offer those who live, work and visit here. We are committed to enhancing North Dakota's quality of life by continuing to care for our citizens and to build strong communities.
Caring for People
To improve the quality of life for all in North Dakota, we've initiated important programs to help seniors, children, and people with disabilities:
- A $100 million general fund increase in the Department of Human Services budget to help those in need.
- Expansion of medical coverage and quality services for children and seniors, including support for the continuum of care, and enhanced Medicaid funding for low income individuals, persons with disabilities and the elderly.
- A Medicaid buy-in program to help families cover the cost of care for children with severe disabilities.
- A state Prescription Drug Repository under the State Pharmacy Board to collect and distribute unused medications so that pharmacies and physicians can distribute them to those in need.
- Expanded eligibility for Healthy Steps Children's Health Insurance Program and medical assistance benefits to provide medical insurance coverage for 1,450 more children.
Public Safety
Building on our position of leadership as the safest state in the country, we've initiated a number of measures to help ensure public safety:
- Mandated minimum sentences for violent sexual criminals, even first time offenders, background checks for personnel in sensitive positions; and enhanced funding for GPS monitoring of offenders.
- Enhanced funding for drug courts, the Robinson Recovery Center and other treatment programs to help recover lives.
- A requirement for schools to establish a policy limiting registered sex offenders on school property and an increased penalty for possession of child pornography.
- Created a DNA Database to track all felons, and expanded the Computer Forensics Program.
- Created a credit freeze on disclosure of commercial credit rating information.
- Nearly doubled the beds for civilly committed sex offenders at the State Hospital and increased funding for community-based sex offender treatment.
Honoring and Serving Our Military
We've said thank you to our military for their service and sacrifice with a number of measures, including:
- Authorization and funding for the state's share of a $21 million new Veterans Retirement Home in Lisbon and an expanded Veterans Bonus Program.
- Additional funding for tuition assistance for National Guard members.
- A restriction on protests at military funerals and an increased death benefit for the families of soldiers killed in action.
