Despite it being a terrible (and blatantly unconstitutional, in many regards) proposal, North Dakota voters approved Measure 1 in the election last week. I believe the measure should be immediately challenged in court, but probably before that can happen the Legislature has some work to do. Because in many areas the ballot measure’s language requires…
Print Column: Measure 1 Should Be Challenged in Court Immediately
MINOT, N.D. — Measure 1, approved by 54 percent of North Dakota voters this last week, is a clear example of the deep flaws in legislating at the ballot box. I don’t blame busy voters, inundated with messaging from a myriad of campaigns, for approving the measure. Most of them probably heard little about it…
Print Column: Measure 1 Seeks to Swat a Gnat With a Bazooka
MINOT, N.D. — There are very real ways in which we could amend state law to improve accountability and transparency for our state government. Disclosures for lobbyist spending could be more accessible. They could be more frequent, and more robust in their detail as well. Disclosures for candidates or committees — think people running for…
Podcast: Medal of Honor Recipient Clint Romesha, Measure 1 Supporters, Congressman Collin Peterson
Medal of Honor recipient and North Dakota resident Clint Romesha was on the radio show today and endorsed Congressman Kevin Cramer in his race against Senate incumbent Heidi Heitkamp. “When he tells you he’s going to do something, he does it,” Romesha said of Cramer’s work on issues related to veterans. Romesha also recounted an…
State Auditor Josh Gallion: Oppose Measure 1
This guest post was submitted by state Auditor Josh Gallion I love North Dakota, our values, down to earth common-sense culture, and yes, even the weather. Our founders established North Dakota with a constitution that allows up to 12 statewide elected officials who have limited authority and are directly accountable to the citizens. This unique…
Podcast: Stephen Bannon Says Republicans Have “Broken the Back of This Blue Wave”
Former Trump campaign manager and chief strategist Stephen Bannon was on the radio show to talk about the midterms. Asked about recent polling showing Senator Heidi Heitkamp with a 16 point deficit to challenger Congressman Kevin Cramer, Bannon says the Kavanaugh fight made “the Trump base wake up to the importance of the moment.” He…
Podcast: Catholics Say Measure 1 Might Make Churches Report on Donations to Collection Plates
Christopher Dodson is the executive director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference. His organization opposes Measure 1, the so-called “ethics” or “anti-corruption” ballot measure, and part of the argument he made to me on the radio show was interesting. He noted that the measure (full text here) requires any organization spending more than $200 on…
Supposed “Anti-Corruption” Amendment Supporters Don’t Get to Ignore the Text of Their Own Measure
North Dakota’s Measure 1, a constitutional amendment put on the ballot by professional signature collectors paid by Hollywood celebrity activists, is anti-free speech. Don’t take my word for it. That’s the opinion of the ACLU of North Dakota which opposes the measure because it, as they said in a press release last month, “Our First…
Print Column: Don’t Take My Word for It, ACLU Says Measure 1 Is an Affront to Free Speech
MINOT, N.D.—Last month I wrote in this column that Measure 1, the so-called “anti-corruption” amendment put on the November ballot thanks to professional petitioners paid mostly by a group of Hollywood celebrities, was an affront to the First Amendment. The left-wing supporters of the measure scoffed when I made that argument. I saw feedback to…
Podcast: ACLU Says They’ll Consider Litigation Against Measure 1 if It Passes, Christine Blasey Ford Testifies
Heather Smith, executive director of the ACLU in North Dakota, joined me today to talk about her group’s opposition to Measure 1. That’s the “ethics” or “anti-corruption” measure, but the ACLU sees serious problems if it passes from a 1st amendment perspective. Smith tells me that they haven’t made a decision yet, but if Measure…