I’m not sure there’s a bill before the Legislature this session that I dislike more than HB1471. The bill was introduced by Rep. Alex Looysen (R-Jamestown) and has the backing of all manner of organizations including the North Dakota Newspaper Association. Ostensibly it would protect the free speech rights of student journalists. I’m skeptical. Protecting free…
Bill To Protect Freedom Of Student Journalists Is Bad Public Policy
Anyone who reads SAB knows that I tend to be something of a free speech absolutist. I feel like the 1st amendment is pretty clear on the issue, giving us all the freedom to express ourselves. Which is why I also tend to get a little squeamish when people start proposing legislation which, in the…
ND Lawmakers Push Pledge Including Effort To Reduce/Eliminate Income Taxes
This morning a group of conservative North Dakota lawmakers announced a pledge they signed to promote conservative policy reforms. “Over the last decade, we Republicans have overseen an exponential growth in state spending, and we feel now is the time for our party to take the lead to ensure the direction of the state’s finance…
North Dakota District Conventions: Districts 12 and 29 Jamestown and Stutsman, Foster, and LaMoure Counties
This post is part of a continuing series highlighting the potential state legislative candidates from each district for their party’s nomination. For more information on this series, refer to the “SAB’s Guide To North Dakota District Conventions: A Government Of People Who Show Up” post. The Districts: 12 and 29 Click on a District number above for a map…
North Dakota House Kills Another Transparency Bill
The North Dakota House doesn’t have a lot of love for transparency this session, it seems. Coming on the heels of a defeat a bill, introduced by Rep. Blair Thoreson, creating a statewide database for local government spending the House has voted down another transparency bill. HB1255, also introduced by Rep. Thoreson, would have changed…