Yesterday we got news that, because of over 600 invalidated signatures, the activists trying to recall Bismarck Mayor Mike Seminary had failed to put the issue on the ballot. They needed 1,898 signatures to start a recall election. They submitted 2,405 signatures, but 668 signatures were invalidated for various reasons according to the Bismarck Tribune, leaving just…
Study: Federal Regulations Have Made America 72% Poorer
Government up to a certain point can be a boon to an economy. Laws that protect our rights, and provide a legal process for settling disputes, allow for a stable environment in which commerce can flourish. Beyond a certain point, government is a burden. And a new study from economists John Dawson at Appalachian State…
Does The Immigration Bill Create An Incentive To Hire Illegal Immigrants Under Obamacare?
“Under Obamacare, businesses with over 50 workers that employ American citizens without offering them qualifying health insurance could be subject to fines of up to $3,000 per worker,” reports Phil Klein for the Washington Examiner. “But because newly legalized immigrants wouldn’t be eligible for subsidies on the Obamacare exchanges until after they become citizens –…
IRS Employees: Targeting Conservatives Was Specific Policy Handed Down By Supervisors
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) will begin hearings this week focusing on the corruption at the IRS, and in advance of those hearings he’s released some statements from the depositions taken from IRS employees. Per the depositions, the targeting of conservatives wasn’t exactly something a few IRS employees took it upon themselves to do in the…
North Dakota House End-of-Session Legislative Vote Ranking
As you may recall, we at SAB scored the Legislative Assembly based on their voting record at the crossover earlier this session. When Rob and I first set out to track legislative voting trends in the House and Senate at crossover, we were primarily doing so out of our own curiosity on one hand, and…
Guest Post: District Party Elections Are Important
On May 7th, the residents and Executive Committees of the Fargo Legislative Districts will be convening at the Sheyenne 9th Grade Center for local elections. From personal experience, I can tell you that these elections are important. Executive committees have a number of responsibilities over their two-year terms. They assist in the campaigns of their…
Audio: Legislator Accuses Colleagues, Higher Ed Officials Of Plotting To Push Chancellor Shirvani Out
Rep. Bob Skarphol, a supporter of embattled Chancellor Hamid Shirvani and the chairman of the education subsection of the House Appropriations Committee, dropped a bombshell during a meeting of his committee today. He made accusations of a conspiracy among legislators and higher ed officials to undermine and to push Chancellor Hamid Shirvani out. It was…
NDSU Maintains Insufficient Records on Aircraft Usage
Most often bloggers, journalists, and citizens conduct open records requests to discover what antics and activities their government has been up to at the expense of the taxpayer. As we have seen here on SAB, the results of those inquiries can be very revealing, and very embarrassing for whichever agency or public official was the…
