Wayne Stenehjem on Budget & Economy

Rainy day funds and budget cuts work

Becker, touting his staunch fiscal conservative principles, said he'd have submitted a far smaller budget to begin with. "We wouldn't have found ourselves in the situation we're in now," Becker said, adding that with a smaller budget "I won't have to take out that red pen and line-item veto."

Diversify our economy: drones, fertilizer, & infrastructure

With a growing economy as well as an increasing and younger population, entrepreneurship can thrive, according to Stenehjem, adding that, with the right tax policy and regulatory regimen, the state can attract new businesses and remain strong for decades

Stenehjem said the state can play a role in promoting a strong business climate through incentives and good loan programs among other things. "We really have made some remarkable progress," Stenehjem said.