As we’ve seen in other states, North Dakota is now debating whether or not to mandate drug testing people on temporary assistance (TANF) to determine eligibility. The bill was introduced by Senator Tom Campbell to the Senate Human Services Committee. On Tuesday, the committee recommended a “Do Pass” by a vote of 4-3. Senate Bill […]
I’ve heard and read a lot from people asking how crazy can the North Dakota Legislature get during this session. Well, it appears some newly elected members are taking that as a challenge. Late last night I received a copy of Senate Bill 2315, “relating to the use of deadly force.” People are already beginning to […]
Rep. Dwight Kiefert out of Valley City is at it again and pushing for more guns in schools. Kiefert is serving in his third legislative session. Out of the total of six bills he has introduced since 2013, three of them have related to guns in schools. Perhaps he has renewed his efforts following […]
Mac Schneider (Episode 1) Our first guest on Happy Hour in the Heartland is Mac Schneider. Schneider was the Senate Minority Leader in the North Dakota Senate. Like myself, he lost his bid for reelection in 2016. We sat down and visited over a beer at Duffy’s Tavern in downtown Fargo. Why Duffy’s? Because five […]
Yesterday, I followed my own plea to you and watched the inauguration of Donald Trump. I listened. I took it in. I made myself feel the raw emotion. What I heard was a speech delivered by a man who lacked humbleness. What I gathered was his lack of understanding that the campaign was over. Trump won. […]
The day we witness the peaceful transition of presidential power in the United States is here. Inauguration of the 45th President. Today, and this specific transition are met with a lot of mixed emotions for many across the country. Donald Trump enters the White House with the lowest approval rating from the general public in […]
A persistent challenge facing both families and employers in North Dakota is the cost of childcare. When the cost is too great, families are forced to decide whether it is more cost effective for one of the parents to stay home and watch their child. As a result, families lose income and employers lose a […]
On Monday we got a glimpse into Governor Burgum’s version of the state budget. Though official bill drafts and amendments have not yet been introduced, we’ve received his priorities in a press release. One of the proposals that stood out to me was the potential for public employees to begin paying into the premiums of […]
Tonight a press release went out from Governor Burgum’s office detailing his budget proposals. The Governor’s plan comes at the beginning of the third legislative week. The announcement states Burgum, “presented legislative leaders Monday with an executive budget proposal that recommends additional cuts and realigns spending priorities to spur innovation, creativity and the reinvention of […]
Another break in tradition marked the beginning of the 65th Legislative Session. Rather than the Honorable Chief Justice Gerald Vandewalle addressing a joint session of the House and Senate in front of the public, the “State of the Judiciary” was placed in a nine-page document left on legislators’ desks. When Legislative Management chose to cancel […]