Don’t Assume The Legislature Will Go Along With Public Employee Insurance Changes

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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 […]

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Governor Burgum Supports New Tax on Senior Citizens

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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 […]

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The State of the Judiciary Address None of Us Heard

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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 […]

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Legislature Shares Blame in Strained State and Tribal Relations

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In 2013, the State of North Dakota and the Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (MHA) entered into an agreement on oil production and extraction taxes collected from oil activity on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The agreement avoided tax confusion on the industry and showed cooperation between two sovereign governments. It was my first session in […]

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Is North Dakota Looking to Tax Senior Citizens for Nursing Homes?

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We have all heard the budget situation in North Dakota has slumped over the past couple of years. Our state’s Constitution requires a balanced budget. Across-the-board budget cuts, positions going unfilled, and pulling back certain services have taken place. Governor Burgum and the Legislature have declared they will balance the budget, “with no new taxes!” But, […]

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