Congressman Kelly Armstrong has come under fire this week for his background working and investing in the oil industry. Some say it should disqualify him from serving on a House committee tasked with addressing climate change. “Congratulations to the D.C. media. It took them two months to figure out I’m in the oil industry,” Armstrong…
Plain Talk: Senator Cramer Says He’s “Sure” Trump Supports Electoral College Because It Won Him Election in 2016
President Donald Trump is widely seen as a populist leader. So why, in the wake of criticism of the Electoral College from Democrats, would he be saying he supports it given that it’s a decidedly anti-populist institution? Asked on this episode of Plain Talk if maybe Trump supports the Electoral College because it was why…
Plain Talk: Is the Legacy Fund at Risk From Initiated Measures? and Some Thoughts on the Demise of the Sunday Close Law
Lawmakers in Bismarck are debating reforms, but as the law stands now North Dakota’s initiated measure process is wide open. Interests with a lot of money can pay to have their signatures collected, pay for a slick marketing campaign, and change the state’s laws. Even our state’s constitution. With billions of uncommitted dollars sitting in…
Plain Talk: Energy Transfer Partners Talks About DAPL’s Impacts, and Should the Christchurch Shooting Video Have Been Censored?
On this episode of Plain Talk, Vicki Granado from Energy Transfer Partners (the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline) talks about that projects impacts on North Dakota’s economy, taxes, as well as its impact on national politics. Also, in recent days there has been an effort by the tech industry and governments around the globe…
Plain Talk: Is It Ok to Treat People Differently Based on Their Race?
On this episode of Plain Talk, Lt. Governor Brent Sanford talks about a dispute between the executive branch and state lawmakers in Bismarck over revenue forecasts. Setting aside disagreements over spending policy, Sanford says lawmakers are manipulating revenue forecasts to hide money. Also, a New York Times columnist says it’s ok to treat people differently…
Plain Talk: Rep. Armstrong Says Amount of “Anti-Capitalist” Thinking in Washington D.C. Is “Very, Very Scary”
If we buy into “her version of a social contract…we are doomed,” Congressman Kelly Armstrong said on this episode of Plain Talk. He was referring to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s questioning of Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan earlier this week during which she asked pointed questions suggesting his bank had been complicit in the “caging of…
Plain Talk: Senator Cramer on Ocasio-Cortez: “I Think She’s a Paid Actress by the Republican Party”
“I think she’s a paid actress by the Republican Party.” That’s what Senator Kevin Cramer said, jokingly, in response to a listener question during this episode of Plain Talk. The listener had asked if Cramer thought Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might be some sort of a plant. Cramer went on to say, “I refer to her…
Plain Talk Podcast: ND United Keeping Options Open for Lawsuit Over Mistake in Allocations to Constitutional Funds
Could the state of North Dakota be sued over a mistake in how oil tax revenues were allocated to certain constitutional funds? On this episode of Plain Talk the head of North Dakota’s combined teacher and public worker unions, Nick Archuleta of North Dakota United, says that’s something he and his group like like to…
Plain Talk: Democratic Leader Says This Legislative Session Has Been Less Partisan Than Those in the Past
On this episode of the Plain Talk podcast, House Minority Leader Josh Boschee (R-Fargo) talks about the 2019 legislative session so far. He says his Democratic caucus is very interested in the new revenue forecasts coming out this week. He also agreed with me in saying this session has been less partisan than those in…
Plain Talk: At the Heart of the Ilhan Omar Controversy Is Identity Politics
At the heart of the controversy surrounding Rep. Ilhan Omar and her remarks on Jews and Israel are certain pernicious realities about identity politics. Much of the defense of Omar has become a contest to see whose demographic group has been victimized more. When the House of Representatives passed a resolution in response to Omar’s…