Rob Port is the editor of SayAnythingBlog.com, a columnist for the Forum News Service, and host of the Plain Talk Podcast which you can subscribe to by clicking here.

Author Archives: Rob Port

Republican Rep. Jeff Hoverson, primary sponsor of a bill to ban mask mandates, spoke to demonstrators on Monday, April 5, 2021, outside the North Dakota Capitol. (Jeremy Turley / Forum News Service)

Controversy Over Lawmaker Expelled for Harassment May Reignite as the End of the Legislative Session Nears

- April 26, 2021 - ,

Controversy Over Lawmaker Expelled for Harassment May Reignite as the End of the Legislative Session Nears

- April 26, 2021 - ,

MINOT, N.D. — The debate over expelled former Bastiat Caucus lawmaker Luke Simons has loomed over the 2021 legislative session in Bismarck. Now, with just days left in the session, that debate may be reignited by a Simons ally and fellow member of the Bastiat Caucus. Rep. Jeff Hoverson of Minot — who is officially designated as a Republican though he…

President Donald Trump enters Scheels Arena in Fargo on Wednesday, June 27, 2018. David Samson / The Forum David Samson

North Dakota’s Delegation Gets Surprisingly Good Grades From Anti-Trump Group

- April 26, 2021 - ,

MINOT, N.D. — Based on public polling and voting trends, North Dakota is widely seen as one of the most pro-Donald Trump states in the union. Despite that, North Dakota’s congressional delegation performed surprisingly well in a rating by a Republican anti-Trump group. Or surprisingly bad, I suppose, depending on your point of view. The group…

State Sen. Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, left, is chairman of the Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee. Rep. Chet Pollert, R-Carrington, is vice chairman. Tom Stromme / Bismarck Tribune

When Legislative Leaders Don’t Respect the Role of the Legislature

- April 26, 2021 - ,

MINOT, N.D. — Earlier this month, Gov. Doug Burgum, to his credit, reluctantly signed into law a bill that implements some checks and balances to his office’s emergency powers. No, I’m not talking about that inane legislation banning statewide mask mandates in the name of some perverse notions of liberty (that, ironically enough, doesn’t really ban mask…

Gov. Doug Burgum delivered his 2021 State of the State Address, reflecting on the progress and historic challenges of the past year and calling for bold action and investments in infrastructure to position North Dakota for an even brighter future. Kyle Martin / Forum News Service

On Doug Burgum and Conservatism

- April 24, 2021 - ,

MINOT, N.D. — Gov. Doug Burgum is a sellout. A secret liberal. A camouflaged progressive. A closeted Democrat who, when he first ran for office in 2016, only affiliated himself with the Republican Party and Donald Trump because that’s the sort of thing you have to do to get elected in North Dakota. Or maybe he’s exactly the sort…

People gather together at NDSU’s Memorial Union to celebrate the final guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Fargo. Chauvin is found guilty of the death of George Floyd. Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum

Friday Mailbag: Maxine Waters, Extremist Protesters, the Sober Ride Program and Squabbling Inside the NDGOP

- April 23, 2021 - ,

MINOT, N.D. — It’s Friday, and we can all now head into the weekend confident that we’ll soon be free of the yoke of statewide mask mandates. Though not, I should note, local mask mandates which are still ok for some reason? We live in strange times, my friends. Interesting, but strange. As always, a…

Republican Rep. Jeff Hoverson, primary sponsor of a bill to ban mask mandates, spoke to demonstrators on Monday, April 5, 2021, outside the North Dakota Capitol. (Jeremy Turley / Forum News Service)

That Ban on Mask Mandates Isn’t Really a Ban at All

- April 23, 2021 - ,

MINOT, N.D. — Rep. Jeff Hoverson, a member of the Bastiat Caucus from Minot, has had exactly one legislative victory this session, and it came yesterday when the state House and Senate overrode Gov. Doug Burgum’s veto of his bill banning statewide mask mandates. I wonder how Hoverson’s constituents in District 3 feel about their representative introducing 11 bills this…

Rep. Kevin Cramer answers questions from the Grand Forks Herald editorial board Wednesday afternoon. (Joshua Komer/Grand Forks Herald)

LIVE at 11:30 Am: Sen. Kevin Cramer Talks About the Possible Return of Earmarks, Social Security and Medicare Reform, and Infrastructure

- April 23, 2021 - ,

Infrastructure is all the rage in Washington D.C. these days. Plus, a lot of spending and policymaking that’s not at all related to infrastructure that some politicians would like to stuff into infrastructure bills. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer talks about it on this episode of Plain Talk Live. By the way, if we’re going to talk…

With supporters and legislative backers looking on, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burbum signs House Bill 1425 into law. The bill, introduced by Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, would direct 20% of the Legacy Fund's principal balance into investments in North Dakota businesses and infrastructure. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Doug Burgum's office)

LIVE at 9:30 A.m.: Gov. Doug Burgum Talks With Rob Port About Signed Bills and Vetoes

- April 22, 2021 - ,

North Dakota’s legislative session is ending, and that always means a flurry of bills getting signed into law, or occasionally vetoed, by the Governor. On this episode of Plain Talk Live, Governor Doug Burgum talks about the bills he’s signed, and the bills he’s yet to sign. Among the bills already signed is one protecting schools from…

Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin has been charged in connection with the death of George Floyd. (Courtesy Darnella Frazier)

LIVE at 2pm: Derek Chauvin Is Guilty. Now What? Tune in and Chat Along With Us

- April 21, 2021 - ,

Derek Chauvin is guilty, and that’s some justice for George Floyd, but are debate over the role of law enforcement in our society is far from over. Can cops accused of inappropriate and even criminal activity get a fair shake in this environment? What can we do about militant attitudes in the ranks of law enforcement? Rob…

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