NDSU President Dean Bresciani is facing allegations that he deleted over 45,000 emails the same day he received a records request for emails from the state legislature, a breech of public record laws that could be as serious as a felony. Yesterday, a spokeswoman told the Fargo Forum that those emails weren’t deleted by Bresciani…
Star NDSU Linebacker Charged With Felony Aggravated Assault UPDATE: Reportedly Beat A Man Unconscious
The hits keep coming for North Dakota State University’s championship football team. After a second national title, earned with a group of players guilty of forging tens of thousands of signatures on two initiated measure petitions (the repercussions for which North Dakota State University refuses to make public), head coach Craig Bohl and the team…
North Dakota Chamber Of Commerce Begs Locals To Cut Property Taxes
When it comes to taxing and spending policy, there is no area causing North Dakotans more consternation than property taxes. Last year a group of conservative citizens put on the ballot a measure to abolish property taxes, but it was soundly defeated after a vicious attack campaign lead by the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce…
State Board Of Higher Education Wants Another Look At Tuition Increases
Last week the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education approved more tuition hikes for the state’s students, but now Board President Duaine Espegard wants a second look While I agree that the tuition hikes do need a second look – the state legislature increased total higher ed spending by 32% for the coming biennium…
Sixteen North Dakota House Members Had Perfect Attendance
Following up on yesterday’s post about attendance in the state legislature, we saw that Republicans were a bit better at showing up to work than Democrats. Now let’s take a closer look at the House of Representatives (Senate tomorrow). The full ranking is below. First, let’s give some credit to the sixteen legislators from both…
You'd Think Governing With A Super Majority Would Be Easier
North Dakota’s legislators are getting the morning off to attend the funeral of former North Dakota Governor Bill Guy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot of work to do. On the 79th day of a constitutionally-constrained 80 session the House and Senate are still miles apart on a lot of key issues.…
Let's Face It, Measure 2 Is Coming Back
Last year North Dakota debated Measure 2, which would have abolished property taxes in the state if passed. It was defeated after a coalition of special interest groups (lead by the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce) launched a group called “Keep It Local ND” to oppose it. Their primary argument, obviously, was that by eliminating…
Were Fargo Flood Projections Exaggerated To Bully Legislature Into Approving Diversion Funds?
Fargo-area leaders were quick to cite the projections for a “flood of record” during the debate in the state legislature over funding for the region’s controversial flood diversion project. But now it seems that the flood will fall well short of those dire projections, and in fact looking at the latest trend lines for water…
Should Business Be Able To Refuse Service To Gays?
In the State of Washington, a florist has been sued for refusing to provide flowers for a gay wedding. In response, that state’s legislature has before it SB5927 which would allow people, businesses or religious organizations to “deny services if providing those goods or services would be contrary to the individual’s or entity owner’s sincerely…
Do We Elect Politicians To Govern, Or To Appoint Boards And Commissions?
According to opinion editor Tom Dennis at the Grand Forks Herald, what higher education in North Dakota needs is Commission on Higher Education Governance that will report to the legislature how higher education should be governed. Of course, North Dakota has already tried this. In 1999 the Roundtable on Higher Education was formed. In 2000…