Rep. Kevin Cramer held a forum in Minot yesterday and got asked about budget matters. Rep. Cramer told citizens there that he actually agrees with some things former Senator Kent Conrad has said about entitlement reform: “The person that I have listened to, who has been most right on point, has been former senator Kent…
State Board Of Higher Education Wants Another Look At Tuition Increases
Last week the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education approved more tuition hikes for the state’s students, but now Board President Duaine Espegard wants a second look While I agree that the tuition hikes do need a second look – the state legislature increased total higher ed spending by 32% for the coming biennium…
Dorso Column: North Dakota's Executive Branch Is Too Involved In Legislating
The state capitol building in Bismarck is a unique design. But it is what that design signifies or tells that makes it so important. I hope every legislator now and into the future reads this piece. When they or elected officials walk the halls of the capitol I hope they are reminded of the sacrifice…
IRS Not Sure If Asking Tea Partiers About The Contents Of Their Prayers Is Inappropriate
There’s so much coming out about the IRS scandal today that it’s hard to keep up with it all, but as the dust settles and we head into the weekend news cycle let this exchange during the Ways and Means hearing today serve as a case-in-point for just how disturbing this entire fiasco is. Rep.…
North Dakota Isn't The Only State Plagued With Spend-Happy Republicans
“What courage really is is, in the face of having a surplus, when you have an opportunity to spend spend spend other people’s money, that you still choose to rein in government,” said Sarah Palin in 2012 in comments directed that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Those words came to mind as I read this…
There Is No "Glitch" In The Outdoor Heritage Fund Formula
The Fargo Forum’s Patrick Springer has an extremely misleading report on a supposed “glitch” in the funding formula for the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The formula dedicates a portion of oil tax revenues to the fund up to a maximum of $15 million per year, and $30 million per biennium. As things stand now with oil…
Shivani Accuses Critics Of Racism, Says University Presidents Don't Want Change
In a column for the Grand Forks Herald, Chancellor Hamid Shirvani takes the gloves off in responding to some of his critics. This is tough medicine a lot of North Dakotans – especially in the political class – aren’t going to want to hear. BISMARCK — It should come as no surprise to anyone who…
Republican Legislative Leadership: We're Compassionate, Look At How Much Money We Spent!
In the Grand Forks Herald today House Majority Leader Al Carlson, and Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, have a column outlining what they see as the highlights of the 2013 legislative session. It’s a little hard to read, what with the championing of phony-baloney property tax relief and aggressive spending, but this passage in particular…
North Dakota Is Way Out On A Limb On Higher Education
Michael Barone has a fantastic column today in National Review which contains a succinct timeline for America’s higher education bubble. What should be scary for North Dakotans is that the state’s approach to higher education is emblematic of every single one of these problems. For instance, Barone mentions the practice of packing campuses by giving…
Student Lobbyist Pumping Legislators For Criticism Of Shirvani In Advance Of Board Meeting
Student lobbyist Robert Vallie (yes, the college kids have their own lobbyist) has sent out an email by way of former legislator Jim Roers (President and CEO of Roers Construction in Fargo) asking legislators for input into embattled Chancellor Hamid Shirvani’s self-evaluation (read it here). Vallie doesn’t specifically ask for criticism, but given that he…