Entries by Tyler Axness

POLL: North Dakotans see Negative Impacts of Trade War and Tariffs

Results of a poll conducted by DFM Research show North Dakotans by a “three-to-one margin see a negative impact on North Dakota’s agriculture economy by tariffs and the trade war.” DFM is based out of St. Paul, Minnesota and is a reputable research firm. Though North Dakotans see the trade policies of the Trump administration […]

Part 1: The Battle for Rural Votes. President Trump’s Budget Falls Short for Small Town America

President Trump’s budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal year doesn’t have small town North Dakota in mind. Drastic reductions to the USDA and farm-related policies, rural business development, education, transportation, and Medicaid shows the priorities of the White House. Are these the priorities of rural Americans and North Dakotans? Let’s start with farm-related budget reductions. […]

State of North Dakota is Trying to Have it Both Ways on Voter ID

How can the State of North Dakota simultaneously say they’re going to change a major component of a law, but at the same time push in the courts that nothing is wrong with that law? That appears to be what the State is attempting to do with the latest developments in the voter ID lawsuit. […]

State of ND Appear to be Using Scare Tactics Against Potential Recreational Marijuana Measure

The Judiciary Committee has been tasked with studying “the implications of the potential adoption of an initiated measure allowing the use of recreational marijuana. The study must consider the potential benefits and detriments of legalizing recreational marijuana.” The study’s original intent was for the legislature to be prepared if a potential ballot measure was approved […]

Trump Administration Rolls Out New Controversial Medicaid Block Grant Proposal. Allows States to Cap Certain Funding.

The President and his Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have issued letters to state Medicaid Directors outlining a controversial change in how parts of Medicaid are funded. The proposal would allow states to cap a portion of their spending on Medicaid. The changes appear to focus on Medicaid Expansion, a provision of Obamacare. North […]

State-Owned Bank of North Dakota Authorized to Provide Needed Relief to Farmers Affected by Extreme 2019 Weather Conditions

The North Dakota Industrial Commission has authorized the Bank of North Dakota (BND) to start a loan program to help the state’s farmers cover operating shortfalls and term debt payments, and to restructure existing debt. The Ag Disaster Relief Loan Program will, “address the needs of farmers and ranchers negatively affected by extreme weather conditions […]