Back in late 2015 nearly $100,000 in bonuses handed out by former Governor Jack Dalrymple caused no small amount of controversy in the state. They went to five employees, including nearly $32,000 to Chief of Staff Ron Rauschenberger (who has stayed on on current Governor Doug Burgum’s transition into office). Dalrymple’s spokesman Jeff Zent defended the…
Lawmakers Should Restore Spending for the Double Ditch Village
UPDATE: The post below was based on the linked article from the Bismarck Tribune, but lawmakers are telling me that report is inaccurate. “Despite what the news media has reported, the House Appropriations Committee did not cut any financial assistance to the Double Ditch Village,” Rep. Jim Schmidt (R-Huff) told me this afternoon. “The financial assistance…
Audio: Burgum Opposes Limits on Bonuses, Says Votes for Same Sex Marriage Bill Showed “Courage”
I had Governor Doug Burgum on my radio show today, and we hit on a number of topics including reports that some state lawmakers were upset that he sometimes wears jeans. I asked Burgum if he had dressed up for our interview. He said he was going to wear a clown outfit but couldn’t find…
After Controversy Under Dalrymple Legislation Would Cap Bonuses for Governor’s Staff, Appointees at $5000
Back in late 2015 nearly $100,000 in bonuses handed out by former Governor Jack Dalrymple caused no small amount of controversy in the state. They went to five employees, including nearly $32,000 to Chief of Staff Ron Rauschenberger (who has stayed on on current Governor Doug Burgum’s transition into office). Dalrymple’s spokesman Jeff Zent defended the…
House Says No To Forming Sunset Committee To Review Inactive Boards And Committees
There’s probably nothing more government than forming a committee to study committees, but HB1361 sponsored by Rep. Ben Hanson (D-Fargo) was actually a pretty good idea. The gist of the legislation was to review the hundreds of boards and committees set up by the state and see which ones are active and still, you know, doing stuff.…
Democrat Superminority Makes Political Hay Over Surge Funding
If there is one silver lining for North Dakota’s superminority Democrats, it’s that they don’t really have to take responsibility for anything that happens in state government. They’re free to play whatever political games they please, knowing full well that whatever the outcome they can point their fingers at the Republican majority. Case in point,…
North Dakota District Conventions: District 8 Guide for McLean and North Burleigh 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 District: 8 Click on the District number above for a map…
Here's What Legislators Are Investigating With Regard To UND's REAC Building
Yesterday news broke that the legislature would be investigating the sale of the REAC building from the UND Research Foundation to the University of North Dakota. I spent some time yesterday talking with legislative friends, including some member of the legislature’s interim Government Finance Committee, chaired by Rep. Jeff Delzer, to find out what it’s…
House Backtracks On Prohibiting Committee Video, But Removes Funding For The Project
In was one step forward and two steps back in the House today on the issue of transparency. Last week the House approved a version of the legislature’s budget which specifically prohibited the creation of an online video streaming/archiving system for legislative committee hearings. The state has – brand new to this session – an…
The ND House Tackles A Batch Of Property Tax Bills
Yesterday the state House addressed a slew of property tax bills (a full summary of the bills and outcomes below), including Governor Jack Dalrymple’s supposed “property tax relief” bill, which I thought was aptly characterized in this Grand Forks Herald headline: The Governor’s property tax relief isn’t really tax relief at all. Not when spending…