“We’re deeply disappointed by the sole action of Representative Dan Ruby for making this local control matter a State issue,” Mayor Shaun Sipma says. Sipma is responding to legislation passed in Bismarck this session which restricts the ability of cities to charge citizens in extraterritorial zoning areas more for building permits. The genesis for the legislation…
Don’t Spend the Legacy Fund (Unless You Spend It in My Back Yard)
I’ve long argued that the pot of billions of taxpayer dollars we call the Legacy Fund represents a moral hazard. Which is to say that it’s a pile of money created for no defined purpose that will now but the subject of much hypocritical political wrangling. For some insight into what I’m talking about, witness…
Plain Talk: Will It Be a Fair Hearing on Voting Rights at Standing Rock or a Political Rally?
“They’ve already taken action that would effect North Dakota.” That’s what Rep. Rodney Davis said of a Democrat-led field hearing to be held in North Dakota this week on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Davis is the only Republican member of the subcommittee which is holding the hearing, and he has concerns about it being…
Print Column: Let’s Talk About How We’re Going to Replace Kennedy at UND
MINOT, N.D. – Reading the headline, I’m sure some of you readers think I’m getting ahead of myself. After all, University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy got a bit ahead of himself when he sent a goodbye letter to the campus community, touting himself as the sole finalist for a new gig at the…
Kylie Oversen, Tim Hoye Vying for Chair of North Dakota Democratic Party
According to multiple sources, attorney Kylie Oversen is throwing her hat in to lead the North Dakota Democratic Party. Again. Oversen was chair of the party previously from 2015 to 2018, stepping down in the middle of election season last year to focus on her unsuccessful bid for Tax Commissioner. She hasn’t had a lot…
Read It: In Letter, North Dakota University System Says They Accept Kennedy’s “De Facto” Resignation
University of North Dakota President doesn’t quite have a new job in Colorado – he’s been named as the sole finalist, but a final decision hasn’t been made – but as far as North Dakota is concerned he’s done. In a letter, NDUS Chancellor Mark Hagerott has said he accepts Kennedy’s de facto resignation. Here’s an…
Judge Mark Kennedy on His Competence as a Leader Not His Politics
A decision by the University of Colorado to make current University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy their president has proved controversial. But not because Kennedy has been a poor communicator, and a poor leader, here in North Dakota. Most of the rancor seems focused on Kennedy’s politics, per this report in the Denver Post.…
If Hunting Groups Keep Winning Political Battles Over Posting Land They Could Lose the War
As it was originally introduced, SB2315 would have ended the presumption of open access to rural land for activities like hunting. Under current law, if property owners like farmers and ranchers don’t want want the public on their land they have to post it as closed. The intent of SB2315 was to turn that requirement…
Plain Talk: Rep. Armstrong Says Democrats Amended Violence Against Women Act So It Wouldn’t Pass
On this episode of Plain Talk, Congressman Kelly Armstrong took questions from listeners, including one on renewing the Violence Against Women Act. He said if that legislation was offered up for renewal in the same form it’s existed in previous years it would have passed with more Republican support. Democrats, according to Armstrong, added amendments…
If the Legislature Wants More Control Over Initiated Measures They Had Better Be Ready to Make That Case to Voters
I am delighted to learn the House has passed SCR4001, introduced by state Senator David Hogue of Minot, on a 63-30 vote. The constitutional amendment was amended a bit by the House – you can read the version which was approved by that chamber below – and those amendments will need to be approved by the Senate.…