The most blatantly arrogant attempt by lawmakers to place themselves above voters was given support from the ND House. SCR 4001 gives the Legislature a say in final approval of citizen-led constitutional measures. The 63-30 vote shows fifteen Republican Representatives joining the Democratic members in voting against this arrogant power grab. The rest believe they’re […]
The elimination and scaling down of funding for NDSU buildings is the latest example of the ND House’s anger towards the Fargo area. Early last week, I wrote that Fargo faces more than just “funding fatigue” from lawmakers. The week ended with House Majority Leader Chet Pollert offering an amendment to eliminate a new agricultural […]
The North Dakota Senate sent a clear message they do not support using the Legacy Fund to eliminate the state income tax when they defeated HB 1530 41-4. The bill had passed the House earlier in this session as the sponsor, Rep. Craig Headland rushed it through the Finance and Tax Committee which he chairs. […]
The legislative session is about to enter its last stage with the appointment of conference committees to work out the differences between the chambers. This is when the battle over budgets usually intensifies. One of those repeated battles is the Fargo Diversion along with other Fargo related appropriations like long overdue upgrades at NDSU. Commentary […]
Following a weekend of bad press and public outrage, the House Judiciary reconsidered and removed the exemption to SB 2158 offered by the committee’s Chair, Kim Koppelman. The amendment would have exempted spouses from a bill allowing judges to terminate a rapist’s parental rights. Following the reconsideration, the committee gave the bill a “DO PASS” recommendation. […]
Senate Bill 2185 making its way through the North Dakota Legislature is intended to allow the Court to terminate the parental rights of a parent if the child is a result of a rape. The bill unanimously passed the Senate on January 16th. Yesterday, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Kim Koppelman, offered an […]
On Tuesday, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos defended budget cuts to programs including the Special Olympics in the administration’s budget proposal. The budget, proposed by President Trump and supported by DeVos, calls for approximately $18 million in cuts to Special Olympics. A shameful position from someone the general public knew was unqualified to lead the Department of Education. […]
North Dakota lawmakers were caught holding a meeting about the Department of Human Services budget behind a locked door in Bismarck. The meeting was exposed by Forum Communications’ John Hageman and the Associated Press’ James McPherson. You can read Hageman’s account of what took place here. Local journalists, covering the Capitol and it is important […]
On March 21st, Senator Kevin Cramer will host Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta at three roundtable events in North Dakota. The roundtables, closed to the press, are in Fargo and Bismarck on workforce development, association health plans, and tribal colleges. Important topics, no doubt. Acosta was invited here by Cramer. On the national stage, Acosta is facing […]
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan released a list of authorized military construction projects that are subject to being “canceled” or “reduced” by $3.6 billion and reallocated to pay for President Trump’s border wall. The compiled list was requested and published by Senator Jack Reed (D – RI) the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee. Construction […]