According to this Minot Daily News editorial, North Dakota could be sitting on a budget surplus of more than $740 million by the time the 2009 legislative session starts.   From what I understand, much of the extra money is due to our booming oil fields in Bowman County and in the Bakken area.   The energy industry, good leadership and the synergy of creative North Dakotans working hard together have given us a wonderful period of economic growth.