Governor Armstrong proposes $6.6 billion general fund, $483.4 million property tax relief in 2025–27 budget

Bismarck — Governor Armstrong on Wednesday presented his executive budget recommendations for the 2025–27 biennium to the Joint Appropriations Committees, proposing a general fund of $6,600,000,000 and a total budget of $19,800,000,000.

The proposal pairs a $483,400,000 property tax relief and reform package with roughly $464,000,000 in bonding for construction projects, increased investments in housing and education, and immediate spending to staff an expanded correctional facility in Grand Forks.

The budget recommendation, Armstrong said, “includes historic property tax relief and reform, strategic investments in infrastructure and legacy projects, and solutions to housing affordability and access.” He told the committees the plan represents months of agency work and a rapid, three‑week review by his administration.

Why it matters: the package would change how legacy earnings are used, increase the percent‑of‑market‑value (POMV) calculation used to determine legacy distributions, and dedicate a new legacy earnings stream to property tax relief. The proposal also reallocates one‑time spending toward the Strategic Investments and Improvements Fund (SIF) and leaves an estimated $230,000,000 in general fund ending balance at the close of the biennium.

Key elements and figures

- Property tax relief and reform: $483,400,000 total, including a proposed property tax credit of $15.50 per primary residence in the next biennium funded with $310,000,000 from the general fund and $173,400,000 from a legacy earnings stream.…