Did North Dakota’s Delegation Learn from the Last Week?

Americans were relieved from another impending tax increase from tariffs on Mexican goods over the weekend. Congratulations are in order, I suppose. Last week, Republicans in Congress learned what can happen when they show independence from the White House when the President pushes forward with a bad idea. Make no mistake, the public pressure likely […]

Auditor Should Use Opportunity to Seek Performance Audit of Department of Mineral Resources

With this week’s Associated Press reporting “North Dakota oil drillers are falling far short of the state’s goals to limit the burning of excess natural gas at well heads, five years after the state adopted the rules to reduce the wasteful and environmentally harmful practice” I’m once again raising calls to undertake a performance audit […]

Have We Met That “Pain Threshold” Yet?

The Trump administration rolled out a second round of farm subsidy to help farmers hurt by the trade war with China. The additional $16 billion subsidy brings the total aid from American taxpayers to $28 billion for agriculture. With the price tag increasing, the talk of “hysteria,” “pain thresholds,” and political attempts to downplay the […]

Armstrong Absent on Tariff Talk and Proposed Farm Subsidy Payment

With another round of tariffs directly impacting agriculture and a second farm subsidy payment in the works, you’d think North Dakota’s lone Congressman would have a statement or a position on the matter and what they’re doing in Washington. After all, agriculture is the top industry in the state. Instead, North Dakota farmers have gotten […]

Did Close Ties Play a Role in Which “Opportunity Zones” Moved Forward?

The December 2017 tax reform created a new tax incentive called “opportunity zones.” The new program will provide tax benefits to investors who spur economic development in a designated eligible area. Under the law, Governors are given authority to designate opportunity zones in their state. Those designated areas will then raise private capital investments. The […]