Late last week North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott sent a letter to embattled UND President Mark Kennedy accepting his tacit resignation. Kennedy had, earlier in the week, sent the campus what sure seemed like a definitive resignation letter, and Hagerott chose to view it that way. But yesterday the Grand Forks Herald reported that…
Read It: Audit Report Slams “Inappropriate Activities” at North Dakota State College of Science
“A performance audit issued today by the North Dakota Office of the State Auditor shows that North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) has engaged in inappropriate activities surrounding the proposed Career Workforce Academy, is not meeting TrainND Southeast program goals and is overstating program results,” a press release from North Dakota Auditor Josh Gallion…
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…
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…
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…
Outgoing UND President Blames Racism, Sexism for Personal Assistant Controversy
Earlier today UND President Mark Kennedy made his departure from that institution official. He’s accepting a new job in Colorado. The end of Kennedy’s tenure was a bit rocky thanks to a story I broke about his personal assistant, Angelique Foster, getting a massive raise as well as a $30,000 per year allowance to commute…
Burgum’s Right That the Legislature’s Delegation of Powers to an Interim Committee Is Unconstitutional
Today Governor Doug Burgum announced that he has vetoed SB2055. You can read his veto statement and accompanying letter explaining his decision below. In his letter, Burgum quotes from a state Supreme Court ruling, Legislative Assembly vs. Burgum, settling a dispute between the Legislature and his administration over vetoes (where Burgum mostly lost) and the delegation…
Rep. Ruth Buffalo Is Not a Victim Because Somebody Asked Her About Her Travel Expenses
Earlier this week I wrote a post about state Rep. Ruth Buffalo and an appearance she made at a left wing rally in Tennessee sponsored by Represent.us. That group was one of the big-money backers behind the Measure 1 “ethics” campaign last cycle, and it sure seemed odd to me that a lawmaker attending an…
Guest Post: Landowners Cannot Support SB2344
This guest post was submitted by Troy Coons, chairman of the Northwest Landowners Association. As we have stated in our testimony regarding Senate Bill 2344, Northwest Landowners Association has always attempted to work with our State’s energy industry in a spirit of cooperation and compromise. Our organization, and our members, are not opposed to development;…
Guest Post: North Dakota Has a Looming Problem With Unaccountable Occupational Licensing Boards
This guest post was submitted by Rod St. Aubyn, who served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1991 to 1994, and the state Senate from 1995 to 2000. He has also worked as a lobbyist. The Legislature is ignoring a potential problem. For many years now, the Legislature has delegated authority to unelected…