Measure 1 Backers Send Deeply Ironic Letter to Lawmakers Insisting They Begin Work on an Ethics Committee

The North Dakotans for Public Integrity, an ostensibly local front group for left wing interests funded by big donations from Hollywood activists, was successful in getting Measure 1 approved on the statewide ballot last month.

That despite the ACLU, among other groups, objecting to the onerous restrictions on political speech the measure represents.

Now, with state lawmakers in Bismarck for their organizational session this week, they’re receiving letters from the group insisting they begin work on creating an ethics committee immediately.

Below is a copy of one of the letters a lawmaker and SAB reader sent me.

The question lawmakers are asking is who paid for the letter?

The answer, of course, is the army of out-of-state contributors to the NDPI group. Check out the group’s disclosure records on the North Dakota Secretary of State’s website. There’s not a lot of money from North Dakota in those reports, but a whole lot of money from out-of-state contributors and far left, anti-speech groups like End Citizens United.

The irony in this is clear. We all remember the ads NDPI ran in support of Measure 1 which talked about getting deep-pocketed, out-of-state special interest groups out of North Dakota politics.

We should remember that NDPI is, essentially, a deep-pocketed, out-of-state special interest group.

I guess that sort of thing is ok with the anti-speech scolds at NDPI, as long as it’s done in their favor.

Measure 1 is ripe for litigation. The encumbrances on political speech it puts in place should be challenged in court. We can hope that happens soon, so that this travesty can be enjoined before lawmakers are compelled to begin implementation.

Here’s the letter: