(Continued from page 19)

time at 52.2, inventories at 46.7, and employment at 58.2. "Expansions among durable goods manufacturers, including metal producers, more than offset cuts for nondurables goods manufacturers for the month," Goss said.
• Nebraska: The overall index for Nebraska declined to 51.1 in June from May's 53.2. Goss said the stronger U.S. dollar is cutting into the growth recorded by Nebraska's businesses. The index includes new orders at 48.1, production or sales at 52.7, delivery lead time at 52.5, inventories at 51.3, and employment at 51. "Durable goods producers in the state, including metal manufacturers and agriculture equipment producers, continue to grow at a healthy pace. Nebraska and Iowa are the only states in the region to experience very healthy growth for both durable and nondurable goods manufacturers. Even so, our surveys point to slower growth for the overall Nebraska economy in the months ahead," Goss said.
• North Dakota: North Dakota's overall index improved to 61 in June from May's 55.4. The index includes new orders at 53.9, production or sales at 51.6, delivery lead time at 60.4, employment at 68.8, and inventories at 70.3. "The state's mining industry continues to expand at a brisk pace. Companies that we survey each month that are tied to this sector are likewise growing at a healthy rate. Manufacturers and construction firms are benefiting from the North Dakota's vigorous energy sector," Goss said.
• Oklahoma: The overall index for Oklahoma grew to 59.6 in June from May's 55.6. The index includes new orders at 64.2, production or sales at 65.9, delivery lead time at 53.3, inventories at 60.5, and employment at 54.2. "Growth for durable goods producers in the state more than offset weaker conditions for Oklahoma's energy firms and for nondurable manufacturers," Goss said.
• South Dakota: The overall index for South Dakota improved to 62.9 in June from May's 61.7. The index includes new orders at 74.5, production or sales at 64.8, delivery lead time at 54.9, inventories at 52, and employment at 68.3. "Manufacturers in the state are adding to their employment levels as sales and new orders grow at a solid pace," Goss said.
•

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- This part of summer is a time for patriotism. It's also the time new state laws go into effect across the nation.
• Fiscal years begin July 1 on most financial calendars, and a slew of state government spending regulations kick in each year on that date. Policy laws also hit the books in a wave, though states often mark their independence by enacting such legislation on their own time.

(Continued on page 21)