Former state Rep. Ed Gruchalla has a letter to the Fargo Forum today which is one of the most repugnant things I’ve ever seen a politician say or write publicly. And I’m writing that in the age of Trump. Gruchalla, a Democrat and retired law enforcement officer, was cast out of office by voters in 2014.…
Joe Miller: I Endorse Doug Burgum For Governor
As North Dakota Voters we, have a rare opportunity before us: to elect a leader who has proven himself capable to lead. We don’t have to gamble on political promises. The time has come for a new direction to be taken when it comes to leadership in North Dakota. During the last decade, North Dakota…
North Dakota Lawmakers Have Racked Up Seven Alcohol-Related Traffic Violations In The Last Decade
News this morning is that Minot lawmaker Roger Brabandt, a Republican who represents District 5 in the state House, has pleaded guilty to DUI after hitting a car and a tree with his 2008 Impalla back in December. His BAC level, according to the Minot Daily News, was .195 percent. The legal limit is .08.…
Becker, Burgum But Not Stenehjem Sign Pledge Not To Raise Taxes Or User Fees
According to a press release which just dropped in my inbox this morning, a group of conservative NDGOP district chairs asked the candidates for the party’s gubernatorial endorsement to sign a pledge not to raise taxes or user fees. Two of the candidates – state Rep. Rick Becker and Fargo businessman Doug Burgum – signed…
Hundreds Of Activists Pack Republican District Conventions Across North Dakota
In his column today Mike Jacobs alludes to some interesting outcomes for Republican legislative races in three districts across the state: In District 28, William Kretschmar—a long-serving member of the North Dakota House—was defeated. He’s regarded as too tolerant on social issues. Likewise in District 36, Alan Fehr lost to a candidate who presented himself…
Senator Joe Miller Stepping Down May Set Up Nomination Fight In District 10
Republican tate Senator Joe Miller of Park River, who represents District 10 in the northeast part of the state, announced that he won’t be seeking re-election in 2016. Miller has served in the Senate since first getting elected to public office in 2008. You can read this press release below. What’s interesting is that the…
Video: North Dakota Senate Says No To Income Tax Cuts
If you want to understand how concerned state lawmakers are with falling tax revenues thanks to lagging oil production, tracking the path of the income tax issues is a good way to illustrate it. The process started in the state House with one proposal calling for the elimination of the income tax, an $820 million…
Legislature Sends Corporate Farming Ban Rollback To Governor For Signature
With little fanfare today the Senate concurred to and then passed the House version of a rollback to the state’s corporate farming ban. Dairy and swine farms, both in heavy decline in the state, will now be able to incorporate and enjoy capital from investors who aren’t necessarily related by blood (the state’s current ban…
Joe Miller: Corporate Farming Ban Reforms Would Save Swine, Dairy Farms
North Dakota agriculture is an industry of prosperity in our state. It can and does feed the businesses of our region and the people of the world. North Dakota leads the nation in the production of several different crops; we now have the opportunity to take a lead position in the production of livestock and…
Senator Accuses House Lawmakers Of "Fouling The Pool" With Records Requests
SB2222 is a bill introduced by Senator Tim Flakoll, a Republican from Fargo and employee of the North Dakota University System. In its original form the bill would have made public records requests from lawmakers made through Legislative Council an open record (currently lawmakers enjoy anonymity), and it also would have put a $5,000 cap…