There are two very ugly, very tumultuous situations in North Dakota’s university system right now. Situations in need of accountability. Transparency. Strong leadership. Unfortunately, we’re not getting it from the State Board of Higher Education. Case in point, University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy sent a letter to campus which said he’d be leaving…
The Legislature Is the Will of the People Too
“There are hidden contradictions in the minds of people who ‘love Nature’ while deploring the ‘artificialities’ with which ‘Man has spoiled ‘Nature’,” famed science fiction writer Robert Heinlein once wrote. “The obvious contradiction lies in their choice of words, which imply that man and his artifacts are not part of ‘Nature’ — but beavers and their…
Mayor Disappointed He Won’t Get to Keep Jacking up Fees for People Who Can’t Vote Against Him
“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…
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…
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 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.…
Whatever Colorado Decides, North Dakota Needs to Be Done With Mark Kennedy
Yesterday University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy sent the campus community what sure seemed like a resignation letter. “With mixed feelings, excited for this new opportunity, but sorry to leave UND, we look forward to keeping in close contact with our many friends in North Dakota and returning to witness UND’s continued progress,” he…
Read It: UND President Mark Kennedy Announces His Resignation
Embattled University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy has announced his resignation in an email today. You can read it below. Kennedy sends letter resigning as President of UND pic.twitter.com/ppOyrGW5dO — Rob Port (@robport) April 10, 2019 Rumors of Kennedy’s resignation have been swirling all week. Today the Grand Forks Herald reports that Kennedy is…
Video: House Bill Would Allow Law Enforcement to Seize Guns From Legal Medical Marijuana Users
When it passed the state Senate SB2140, introduced by Senator Oley Larsen (R-Minot), would have added a section to the North Dakota Century Code allowing a person 30 days to prove to law enforcement they can lawfully carry a concealed weapon. Current law requires people carrying a weapon to produce their license immediately upon demand…
Maybe House Democrats Are Coming to North Dakota to Learn How Not to Suppress Native American Votes
According to the press release below, Democrats from a House subcommittee on elections will be holding a field hearing on the Standing Rock Reservation. The topic is voting. During the 2018 election cycle Democrats, and various political groups allied with them, tried to put then-Senator Heidi Heitkamp over the top by making wild claims about…