MINOT, N.D. — On Saturday, Jan. 4, I was the first to report that Republican state lawmaker Daniel Johnston, a Republican from Kathryn, would be launching a campaign for state Treasurer. Long-time Republican incumbent Kelly Schmidt has opted not to run for another term. So far, Johnston is the only announced candidate in the race.…
North Dakota Doesn’t Need a Patchwork of Minimum Wage Laws
I don’t think we need minimum wage policy. It amounts to a tax on young and low skill labor. Far from helping those at the bottom of the career ladder, it increases the cost of employing them and giving them the job experience and training necessary to move up that ladder. That doesn’t help them.…
Print Column: To Reduce Abortions, Perhaps Less Focus on Lectures and More on Birth Control
Are pro-life Republicans interested in creating headlines or reducing the number of abortions? I’m pro-life, but I couldn’t help but be frustrated this week when the Republican majority in the North Dakota House of Representatives passed HB1336 on a 73-16 vote. That bill, sponsored by Rep. Daniel Johnston (R-Kathryn), would add to the list of…
So-Called “Abortion Reversal” Bill Is a Bad Idea
It’s been a while since we’ve had a fight over abortion in the North Dakota legislature. Six years ago there were a number of abortion bills passed by lawmakers, and achieved varying levels of success in the courts, but since then we haven’t seen much in the way of abortion legislation. But in the 2019…
Legislation Would Require Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients, but With a Twist
The concept of requiring drug testing for welfare recipients is not a new one. Such policies have been proposed in North Dakota before, though not made law. These policies have been implemented in other states, and litigated at length. But the proposal before the 2017 legislative session seems more nuanced than what we’re used to.…