As I watched the debate in the North Dakota House today on HB 1218 I didn’t know if I wanted to cry or I was truly disgusted. I have witnessed the North Dakota legislature become the whipping post for the education establishment for thirty years. Whether it is K-12 funding or the higher ed folks…
John Dorso: On Campaign Finance, Citizens Only Care Where The Money Comes From
For twenty plus years I have watched North Dakota Democrat legislators introduce bills dealing with campaign finance. During the same time period I am not aware that there ever was a proven case of a Republican being convicted of the fraud that the minority thinks exists. If there is a need to pass legislation it…
John Dorso: A Difficult Budget Situation
If you are regular visitor to the Say Anything Blog you are aware that we are approaching the day on the legislative calendar named crossover. It is at this point that all of the bills in each house are supposed to have been acted on. They have either been defeated or should be sent to…
John Dorso: Renaissance Zone Policy Due For Some Refinement
I noticed Senate Bill 2329 concerning Renaissance Zones has been introduced. Since I was involved in the passage of the original enabling legislation I was curious as to what it concerned. As you are aware the creation of the RZ’s has been a big success in North Dakota and has garnered considerable interest in other…
John Dorso: No Is A Difficult Word When You're Spending Other People's Money
Two weeks of the legislative session have come and gone without much excitement. There might be an issue or two that have sparked some interest but as usual things are pretty slow. One issue that had my interest was the situation surrounding the SBHE board appointments. I believe that was as good of result as…
John Dorso: Reflections On College Sports And Legislating For The New Year
In the last few weeks I have read some posts on SAB that I can’t help commenting on. Fewer bills introduced in a legislative session was one of my goals during my time as House Majority Leader. Rod St. Aubyn is correct in that a smaller legislature generates fewer bills. You will also notice that…
John Dorso: End Of The Year Thoughts On Taxes
As we approach the end of the year I have to take time to plan for the eventualities of the coming year. One of the big things is to do some tax planning. Yes I have to make Federal estimate tax payments. Which in and of itself usually raises my blood pressure. I often wonder…
John Dorso: Legislative Session Will Hinge On Oil Prices
I haven’t had an opportunity to review the entire Governors budget message just delivered to the organizational session of the 64th legislative session. Based on a quick overview I would like to make a few comments. Governors and the Office of Management and Budget have always had a difficult time putting together a budget that…
John Dorso: With Higher Education Nothing Really Changes
I wrote this chapter three years ago to be included in my book When Governance Worked: It’s Time to Chart a New Course but when I came up with the title this chapter didn’t fit into the theme I wanted to convey. Obviously we never did get a handle on the higher education system or…
Dorso Column: Great Philosophers And Rejected Legislative Studies
Monday the 3rd we leave for England where I get to remove some more from the old bucket list. We will go to Normandy to be reminded of the tremendous price patriots have paid for our individual freedoms. I also intend to see most of the sights in London but I am most interested in…