North Dakota small businesses will soon be able to access relief from the state-owned Bank of North Dakota. The announcement came late Friday afternoon on April 24th. State-provided aid has proven necessary as federal relief for small businesses has been riddled with issues. North Dakota, through the BND, is in a unique position to help […]
Oil closed negative for the first time on April 20th. The steep collapse left analysts on CNBC scratching their heads as it was happening in real-time. What happens to producers? What will it mean for jobless rates in North Dakota? How will this impact alternative energy like ethanol and biofuels? A lot of questions with […]
North Dakota’s towns and rural county budgets will be hit during the covid-19 pandemic. Although the $2.2 trillion CARES Act will provide ND $1.25 billion, it is unclear whether that will trickle down to local budgets. Based on guidelines, not a single town or county will qualify for direct federal relief in the package. Additionally, […]
During an appearance on CNBC, ND Senator Kevin Cramer talked about the need for an “adult conversation” on changes to programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. His remarks came in response to a question about the mounting debt and deficit the nation is facing. The rapidly growing debt and deficit are a real concern. […]
Article III of the North Dakota Constitution guarantees the right of the people to initiate or refer laws by petition. Is there anything the state can do to guarantee that right is executed safely in 2020? With high-traffic areas closed and events canceled or postponed, the ability for committees to meet initiated measure requirements appears […]
North Dakota hospitals are preparing for an increase in covid-19 cases in rural parts of the state. This week, Governor Burgum and rural health care providers discussed what is needed for hospitals outside of our metro areas. As the pandemic overwhelms our health care systems in urban hot-spots, rural hospitals have faced prolonged challenges to […]
The $2 trillion CARES Act sets aside a little over $23 billion directed to support farmers and ranchers. The move to soften the financial impacts of convid-19 is welcomed, but questions remain. With little oversight and direction, how will Sonny Perdue and the USDA distribute the relief? We cannot let recent history repeat itself. There […]
North Dakota is facing a stark budget outlook. The agriculture economy has seen low commodity prices, frustrating weather, and loss of trade markets. Oil prices are hovering around $24 per barrel leading to a slow down in the Bakken. Couple this with the unprecedented economic and health disruptions from covid-19 and Governor Burgum along with […]
Business and commerce look a lot different these days. Restaurants and bars are prohibited from allowing dine-in. Some have adapted to curbside service when available. Others have locked the doors in hopes to financially manage until the executive order expires. Other places deemed essential, like grocery stores, are allowed to stay open for consumer needs. […]
Governor Burgum has ordered bars, restaurants, theaters, gyms, and other recreational venues to close starting at noon March 20th to April 6th. North Dakota now joins neighboring states who had already enacted the order. The difficult move is necessary to “flatten the curve” of covid-19. Yet, the decision and its roll out lead to more […]