“UND deserves great credit for choosing not to launch its own investigation of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity,” writes the Grand Forks Herald editorial board today. “In making that choice, the university accepted conclusions made by the local and university police, made a judgment for a fraternity over a reported member of an historically oppressed minority group…
Columns: Bring On The Voter Registration And Downsize Minot's City Council
I have a couple of newspaper columns published today that I thought I’d flag here on the blog as well. First, in the Grand Forks Herald, I write about the voter registration issue. North Dakota is the only state in the nation without voter registration. The Legislature is studying the issue during the interim, but so…
We Need To Stop Using the Term "Oil Boom"
The Grand Forks Herald today has an excellent editorial about why we need to lift America’s archaic and ill-advised ban on exporting oil. “Trade constraints twist the market in ways that leave the population worse off,” writes opinion editor Tom Dennis on behalf of the Herald. “Easing constraints untangles the twists, encourages investment and lets producers meet…
When The Policy Is Good, The Motivations Are Irrelevant
The Grand Forks Herald today takes aim at HB1181, introduced by Rep. Roscoe Streyle (R-Minot), which was the subject of a heated hearing before the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee earlier this week. “Streyle’s wrong about the “very simple” reason he ascribes — namely, his and his party’s supposedly deep desire to let North Dakota voters…
University System Governance Isn't Some Parochial Pissing Match
State Board of Higher Education President Kirsten Diederich resigned rather than face a tough re-appointment review from state Senators who are generally not pleased with the university system’s performance of late. Now Governor Jack Dalrymple must choose a replacement, and the Grand Forks Herald is campaigning to ensure that replacement has ties to Grand Forks and/or…
The Outdoor Heritage Fund Doesn't Need Fixing, It Needs Repeal
This election year North Dakota had a titanic debate over a constitutional amendment – Measure 5, specifically – which would have diverted hundreds of millions of tax dollars into a slush fund for conservation interests. Deep-pocketed advocacy groups like Ducks Unlimited spent millions promoting their measure, but were soundly defeated after a ham-handed campaign netted…
Measure 5 Lost Because It Was A Really Stupid Idea
Here’s a fun fact about Measure 5: When supporters turned in their petitions to put it on the ballot the over 1,900 pages contained more than 41,000 signatures. Last night, when voters cast their ballots, just over 51,000 of them said “yes” on Measure 5. Over two election cycles – including the effort in 2012…
"A Tireless Open-Government Crusader"
Some kind words from the Grand Forks Herald for me today, as well as a hat-tip to this post from earlier this week which points out that the North Dakota University System has broken open records laws 17 times since 2010. Not exactly an auspicious track record. “The board knows it has angered North Dakotans…
Fargo Forum Editors Are A Bunch Of Petulant Children
Anyone familiar with SAB is aware of the fact that there is little love lost between myself and the editors of the Fargo Forum. I mean, when the state’s largest newspaper resorts to cracking fat jokes at your expense, you know there isn’t a lot of mutual respect. But you’d be amazed at the lengths…
What's Wrong With Giving The North Dakota University System Some Flexibility?
Today Grand Forks Herald Opinion Editor Tom Dennis engages in a bit of fear mongering about higher education measure North Dakota voters will vote on in November. Dennis is a reliable homer for the universities, and the university system itself is clearly spooked about what could happen. Because, let’s face it, hardly a month goes by…