By Jeff Olson, VP of Advocacy and Awareness

The capital cities of Pierre and Bismarck are buzzing with activity today as both North and South Dakota lawmakers prepare to open their respective legislative sessions. 

In Bismarck, North Dakota Legislators will open their 63^rd legislative session, an 80-day sprint (or marathon) officially kicks off with Governor Dalrymple’s (photo left) traditional State-of-the-State address today from the House Chamber at 1:30 (CST). This will be the Governor’s second State-of-the-State address since taking office in 2010. To listen to the Governor’s address live visit the web link at http://www.prairiepublic.org/

The North Dakota Legislature:

The Republicans have controlled both chambers in the North Dakota Legislature since 1994 and coming into the November election held a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate. The ND Democrats did pick up three seats with key wins in District 12, District 16 and in District 46 cutting into the Republican majority which is now a 32-15 advantage in the Senate.

In the House, Republicans came into the election defending 34 of the 50 seats up for re-election of which they did manage to hold on to 30 of those seats. The Democrats held on to eleven of their seats, and picked up key wins in the new District 16, District 42 and District 44, giving them a net gain of one new member for the upcoming session. Republicans maintain their super majority in the House chambers with a 70 to 24 advantage.

In Pierre, Governor Dugaard (photo left) will open the 2013 session with his third State-of-the-State address today in joint session from the House Chambers at 1 PM (noon MT). To listen or view the South Dakota State-of-the-State Address go to the link at http://www.sdpb.org/.

The South Dakota Legislature:

The South Dakota Legislature will look a little different this year as Republicans lost 4 incumbent legislators, 2 in the senate and 2 in the house. Democrats did not lose any incumbent legislators. Republicans now have a 28-7 majority in the senate and a 53-17 majority in the house