Dr. Shelley Lenz is a veterinarian based in western North Dakota. She’s also running unopposed for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL’s gubernatorial nomination. “I would have issued it, yes,” she said when asked on this episode of “Plain Talk” about whether she would have issued a shelter-in-place order. North Dakota is one of a few states…
Guest Post: North Dakota Supreme Court Has Authority to Suspend Evictions
This guest post was submitted by Fargo attorney Sean Foss. Over the past week, Say Anything Blog has published several articles touching upon the North Dakota Supreme Court’s Order suspending residential eviction actions across the State during the current Covid-19 pandemic. While noting the Governor’s broad discretion under N.D.C.C. Chapter 37-17.1 during a declared “emergency,”…
In the Coronavirus Fight, Choice Is Better Than Force
MINOT, N.D. — One of my favorite books of all time, one which frightened and challenged the 13-year-old version of me, is Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. I’m sure you know it. It’s in the canon of great American literature and often cited when discussions turn to issues of free speech. As an adult, I’ve come to…
It’s Probably Going to Be a Good Year for Incumbents
MINOT, N.D. — North Dakota’s Democrats are so thoroughly marginalized by voters they have taken to bragging about finding enough warm bodies to run for elected office. The filing deadline for the June ballot was April 6, and the Democrats actually have candidates for all of the statewide races. “Whether they’re running for statewide or…
Minot Lawmaker Criticizes Courts for Halting Evictions, Urges Burgum Not to Issue an Order
MINOT, N.D. — A state lawmaker from the Minot area is urging Gov. Doug Burgum “not to yield” to political pressure brought by a coalition of non-profit groups and left-wing political interests to issue an executive order halting evictions in the state. In a letter to Burgum sent late last week, Rep. Dan Ruby, a Republican representing…
Do You Just Want to Hear Gov. Burgum Say the Words “Shelter-in-Place”?
MINOT, N.D. — As I’ve watched critics gripe about our national and state-level response to the coronavirus pandemic, I’ve been struck by how often the things people are complaining about are actually good. Nationally, President Donald Trump is under fire for an approach that emphasizes state leadership. “Trump administration tells states to step up as…
ND Doesn’t Need a “shelter-in-place” Order. Based on an Online Petition, It Seems Like Most North Dakotans Agree
MINOT, N.D. — Online petitions are dumb. In terms of civic engagement, they’re just about the least you could do. If you’re concerned about an issue, please do something more helpful than adding your name to an online petition. Still, a recent Change.org petition urging Gov. Doug Burgum to “place a shelter-in-place order and do what’s best…
North Dakota’s Courts Overstepped Their Authority by Halting Evictions
MINOT, N.D. — The North Dakota Supreme Court is operating under new leadership at the moment. Chief Justice Jon Jensen was appointed to the Supreme Court by Burgum in 2017. He was seated as chief justice in January. His comments to the media at the time are revealing. “I think judges like to help people,” Jensen said. “And…
North Dakota Lawmakers, Get Thee to Bismarck
In a declared emergency, North Dakota law gives our governor broad executive powers, but there are still many policy decisions that must be made by the Legislature. Continue reading…
Readers Ask About Expanded Unemployment Benefits Removing the Incentive to Work, the Status of DAPL and More
MINOT, N.D. — This week’s mailbag features a question, or more accurately a concern, that unemployment benefits which may be luring health care workers away from the frontlines of the fight against coronavirus. Also messages about rent, price-fixing in the beef industry, divisive politics in a time of pandemic, and a recent federal court ruling…