News from headquarters

A couple of news articles jumped out at me so far this week. The first was an Associated Press story about the $96,000 in tax payer money spent to hire a consultant for the North Dakota Board of Higher Education. The second was another Associated Press article saying the Federal Aviation Administration is possibly fining our state $75,000.

The $96,000 paid for national searches for the posts of North Dakota Higher Education chancellor and presidents at Mayville State University and the North Dakota State College of Science. The consulting company was RH Perry and Associates based in Washington, D.C. So, the new chancellor was found down the hall in the state Capitol, and we had to pay part of this money to find him (the new chancellor is the governor’s chief of staff). In fact, all the hires for these jobs were local.

The FAA’s fine is based upon allegations still, but it’s still a serious charge. This all happened because North Dakota State University’s president and athletic director had to be grounded because of some mechanical malfunctions while in the air. They were flying in one of the state’s three planes. After that, the FAA wanted to do inspections and found some problems. It seems the state is not taking care of its air fleet, and now you might have to pay for it. How do you like that?

All of this money could be going toward giving you property tax relief (emphasize could).

Sen. Behm points out more Republican arrogance

Via The Forum's Web site...

Sen. Art Behm, D-Grand Forks letter: Hacker’s amendments tossed WSI from frying pan into fire
The Forum
Published Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Sen. Nick Hacker, D-Grand Forks, N.D., ruined a bill that was sponsored by Sen. Joel Heitkamp, D-Hankinson, N.D.

The bill that Heitkamp sponsored would have returned accountability and oversight to Workforce Safety and Insurance by returning control of the agency to the governor’s office. However, rather than giving the bill a chance to stand on its own merits and be voted on by the Legislature as it was drafted, Hacker decided to ruin the bill by amending it to the point where the prime sponsor is now the prime opponent.

The performance audit was as clear an indication that I can think of that drastic changes must be made at WSI. Employees are intimidated, investigated, and afraid. Injured workers are not receiving the benefits that the agency is designed to provide.

There is a criminal investigation going on right now into the practices that were used by WSI. Heitkamp’s bill was an attempt to restore some sort of accountability and oversight to the operations of WSI by giving the governor more authority over the agency.

Read on...

Jamie Selzler's News from Headquarters

Hello from the Kennedy Center in Bismarck!

I write this at the start of my second day on the job as your Executive Director. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of Chairman David Strauss and the Policy Committee for this amazing opportunity. There have been a number of incredible Executive Directors here over the years, and I know I have some big shoes to fill. I’m especially proud of following in the steps of Jim Fuglie, who led us to some wonderful victories in last year’s legislative races. Jim became a good friend during the campaign on the trail, and I plan on picking his brain for every bit of advice that I can!

I’ve been able to meet a number of you at various meetings, rallies, parties and events over the last few years, but for those who don’t know me, I’ll fill you in: I’m 28-years-old, originally from Minot, and have lived in Grand Forks for the last 10 years. Before starting my new role, I worked at Amazon.com in Grand Forks for 7 years, most of that time in management roles. I ran for the State House last year in District 43, and came about 30 votes short of winning the race. My running mates, Rep. Lois Delmore and Senator JoNell Bakke, taught me a great deal about campaigning and winning elections. Lois was re-elected in a landslide and JoNell won the Senate seat with a very comfortable margin of victory. It was a great experience, and I plan on putting everything I learned to good use as we head into the next campaign.

Our state is served incredibly well by our congressional delegation, and I look forward to working with Senators Conrad and Dorgan and Representative Pomeroy. I’m especially excited about Rep. Pomeroy’s prospects next year, and am very confidant that North Dakotans will see the great work he’s doing for us and send him back to Congress. We have a number of statewide races on the ballot, and I’ve already had calls from a few candidates interested in taking back the Governor’s Office in next year’s election. We’re going to build on last year’s legislative success and win back the House and Senate next year, too. North Dakotans said in a loud and clear voice last year that they are tired of one-party control of our Legislature and fired a slew of Republican legislators. It’s going to take hard work from all of us, but I think we’ll have an even better result in 2008.

One of my immediate goals in this new role is to travel the state and get to know District Chairs, Officers, Legislators, potential candidates and party activists. You can expect that I’ll be visiting every District in the state over the next 90 days, and you’ll see me plenty after that, as well. My experience in the Party has been at the District level, and I know the value of a strong District organization.

I’d be remiss in my duties as Executive Director if I didn’t take this opportunity to encourage you to sign up for the Century Club or increase your membership to the next level. Just click here to do so. I promise you that I’ll be a good steward of your money and will work with the Executive Committee to make sure that we use your contribution wisely.

Feel free to stop in at the Kennedy Center to say hello if you’re near Bismarck. I look forward to meeting you on the trail. Victory in 2008!

-Jamie

Dem-NPL Re-elects State Officers, Elects Regional Reps., Hires New Executive Director

BISMARCK - The Democratic-NPL Policy Committee voted to re-elect all of its state officers last Saturday during their party reorganization meeting held in Bismarck. Chairman David Strauss of Valley City, Vice-Chair Mary Wakefield of Grand Forks, Secretary Joanne Beckman of New Salem and Treasurer Tim Purdon of Bismarck were re-elected to 2-year terms.

The Democratic-NPL Policy Committee also voted to approve the appointment of Jamie Selzler as the party’s Executive Director.

Selzler, 28, started the new post Monday morning. Selzler is originally from Minot and was a legislative candidate in Grand Forks in 2006.

He said he's excited to start his new position and is anxious to get the ball rolling.

"The Democratic-NPL Party is the political party with the best ideas and vision for making North Dakota's future better than it's past," Selzler said. "I'm proud to be working with a team from across the state to build on last year's Democratic-NPL success. We only need three seats to gain a majority in the state Senate and have the opportunity to win back the state House and Governor's office. I will work my hardest to achieve these and other victories."

Party Chairman David Strauss said Selzler is a good fit.

"We chose Jamie from a field of seven outstanding candidates because we know he is the right person to lead us." Strauss said. "This position is very demanding, however, Jamie possesses the leadership and political skills we were looking for."

Selzler was formerly employed as a manager for Amazon.com's Grand Forks branch. Before that, he was an online editor for the University of North Dakota's student newspaper.

He has served in numerous leadership positions, including: the Grand Forks Mayor's Cabinet on Young People, board member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and Chair of the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs/North Dakota Subcommittee.

He attended the University of North Dakota and pursued classes in public administration.

The Democratic-NPL Party has been without an executive director since the beginning of December when Jim Fuglie left the post.

Also during Saturday's Policy Committee Meeting, the Party elected regional representatives to the Democratic-NPL Executive Committee. They include the following:

Region 1 (representing Districts 31, 33, 34, 36, 37 and 39): Sandy Tibke - Mandan

Region 2 (representing Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 38 and 40): Nancy Gooch - Minot

Region 3 (representing Districts 8, 14, 30, 32, 35 and 47): Chad Nodland - Bismarck

Region 4 (representing Districts 7, 9, 10 and 15): Tracy Boe - Mylo

Region 5 (representing Districts 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 42 and 43): Lonny Winrich - Grand Forks

Region 6 (representing Districts 11, 13, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 41, 44, 45 and 46): Barry Nelson - Fargo

Region 7 (representing Districts 12, 25, 26, 28 and 29): Dan Reilly - Barney

More Republican arrogance...

Via the Jamestown Sun's Web site...

Legislature shouldn’t tolerate locked door policy
Rep. Steve Zaiser; Fargo, The Jamestown Sun

One major issue that was not picked up by the state media concerning the hearing on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4022 was many hopeful attendees were basically locked out. SCR 4022 in its original form urged the Congress and president to advocate for peace in Iraq, disengage our troops and recognize them for their bravery.

Sen. Dwight Cook, R-Mandan, chairs the Senate Political Subdivisions Committee where the resolution was heard on Thursday. Cook arrogantly ignored a request from Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, and me to move the hearing to a bigger room despite the fact that the Brynhild Haugland Room (the largest committee hearing room) was available. We knew there would be throngs coming to attend this hearing. In fact, I knew of a large group which traveled from Fargo to be there.

In turn, the small Red River Room in the Capitol filled to capacity quickly. Cook ultimately decided not to let anyone else in. If he would have heeded our request, this wouldn’t have been an issue. Many people had to sit out in the hall, because there wasn’t enough room. I counted about 20 at one time. These folks were not impressed with the way Cook handled this hearing.

Read on...

News from headquarters

Well, Saturday’s training and Policy Committee meeting at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck was a huge success. The crummy weather in the morning didn’t stop a packed room from congregating. Freezing rain plagued us before the training session with Brad Martin, the DNC’s northwest political director. Attendees had to skate into the building to avoid falling.

Weather aside, the day’s big events included the official hiring of a new executive director and the election of regional representatives to our party’s executive committee. Maybe you know by now or maybe not, but Jamie Selzler was endorsed unanimously by the Policy Committee to be the next Democratic-NPL Party executive director. He started this morning at the Kennedy Center. You’ll hear from him in these news briefs soon. We are very excited about his hiring and look forward to working with him to achieve many Democratic-NPL victories in 2008.

Here’s a little bit about Jamie:

He is originally from Minot and was a recent Democratic-NPL legislative candidate in Grand Forks’ District 43.

He was formerly employed as a manager for Amazon.com’s Grand Forks branch. Before employment with Amazon.com, he was an online editor for the University of North Dakota’s student newspaper.

He has served in numerous leadership positions with various organizations including: the Grand Forks Mayor's Cabinet on Young People, board member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and member of the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee.

He attended the University of North Dakota and pursued classes in public administration.

Chairman’s report

Party Chairman David Strauss gave his report at the Policy Committee meeting Saturday. It was filled with much optimism.

Here’s a few excerpts:

We reelected every single incumbent and won 13 new legislative seats.

Our net gain of six seats in the North Dakota Senate was six of a total of 51 Democratic seats nationally, and only half of the Senate seats were up in North Dakota.

For the first time in many years, we ended the campaign cycle in the black, with no party debt. That means all the money we raise now will go directly to the 2008 campaign cycle.

And in this upcoming cycle, we will be fighting on favorable terrain and in a very good environment for us politically. In the state Senate, we will be defending seven seats and the Republicans will be defending 16. We need to pick up only three seats to control the Senate. In the House, we will be defending 13 seats, the Republicans will be defending 33. We should be able to make significant gains in the House. And, in 2008, North Dakotans, after 16 years of Republicans in the governor’s office, we will have a chance to offer the voters of North Dakota a new vision for our state.

That’s some good news to start off the week with.

Statement from House Minority Leader Regarding Chancellor Appointment

BISMARCK - House Minority Leader Merle Boucher released this statement today regarding the appointment of Bill Goetz as the new chancellor of the State Board of Higher Education.

Text of statement by Rep. Boucher from Friday, Feb. 23, 2007:

“The news of the appointment of Bill Goetz to be the new chancellor of the State Board of Higher Education comes as no surprise. He was the Governor’s chief of staff and probably was the most obvious choice from the beginning.”

“I feel after the turmoil that has surrounded the Board of Higher Education and the handling of the Robert Potts situation, any new Chancellor coming on board has a big task ahead of them.”

“Bill Goetz is a capable person and his experience should help him deal with what he obviously knows is a difficult position.”

“We wish him the best of luck and look forward to cooperating with him as we move forward.”

“I hope Chancellor Goetz carries on the long tradition of a quality higher education system in North Dakota.”

News from headquarters

Don’t forget about the Democratic-NPL Party skills training and re-organization meeting tomorrow, and if you’re planning to attend, please drive safe.

The workshop for party activists and potential candidates is scheduled from 9:15 a.m. to noon. We have assembled an outstanding group of training staff including Brad Martin, DNC northwest political director. It will focus on developing recruiting, organizing and fundraising skills necessary in preparing for the challenges ahead.

The workshop will be followed with a buffet luncheon at 12:30 p.m. featuring Congressman Earl Pomeroy.

The state party reorganization meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by a dessert reception at 4 p.m., sponsored by Tim Purdon and Carmen Miller.

All the day's events will be held at the North Dakota Heritage Center on the Capitol grounds.

Iraq “resolution”

Yesterday, I sat in on a Senate Political Subdivisions Committee hearing in the state Capitol with our office manager, Kathi Osteen. The hearing regarded Senate Concurrent Resolution 4022.

As originally drafted, the legislation urged the U.S. Congress and President Bush to acknowledge the bravery of our troops in Iraq, pursue peace there and disengage our troops from battle. It set no timetable and gave no outline. Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, is the main sponsor.

At the beginning of the hearing, Sen. Dwight Cook, R- Mandan, rudely closed off the room to an abundance of people who came to testify or observe. He is the committee’s chair. The event was held in the quaint Red River Room.

The day before, Mathern requested a bigger room, because he knew there would be a lot of attendees. Rep. Steve Zaiser, D-Fargo, even requested a room change at the start of the hearing. Those requests were completely ignored by the Republican committee chair. I counted 49 people in the room including legislators, observers, media members and people who came to testify. A gaggle of barred folks out in the hall were quite upset over Cook’s lack of accommodations. Many of these folks came from as far away as Fargo.

The arrogance again appeared when Zaiser tried to testify in support. Cook basically told him to buzz off and come back later. A few minutes later, Rep. Wes Belter, R-Leonard, strolled in out of the blue to testify in opposition. He got his time, but Zaiser never did.

As a whole, the hearing lasted a little over an hour with advocates, clergy, former troops and veterans testifying. Some of the folks testifying in favor of the resolution included: Dr. Herb Wilson, Lew Lubka, Don Morrison and folk musician, Chuck Suchy.

During the latter half of the hearing, amendments were brought in by North Dakota National Guard Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk. The amendments stated the resolution should also apply to Afghanistan, state nothing about troop withdrawal and be sent just to our congressional delegation. Gee, they’re not the ones who drummed up the idea to go to war in the first place. According to KFYR TV’s 6 p.m. newscast last night, those amendments were adopted by the committee. The amended legislation now goes to the Senate floor for debate.

On a different note, the beauty of living in America is we can engage in these debates and not suffer consequences. As Mathern said yesterday at the hearing, “we are exercising democracy here today.” Yes, we need to greatly thank our troops for protecting that right, but some wars are justified and some are not. It’s up to you to decide that regarding the Iraq War.

News from headquarters

Yesterday, Sen. Byron Dorgan addressed both legislative bodies at the state Capitol in Bismarck. I happened to attend his speech on the Senate side.

Dorgan touched on many issues of interest ranging from North Dakota’s technology sector to our state’s potential to be one of the nation’s top producers of energy to water issues.

As many of you know from reading this blog, Dorgan is on a variety of U.S. Senate committees dealing with energy, science and technology. One of his most brilliant brainchildren is the Red River Valley Research Corridor, which has expanded the technology sector in this state to enormous proportions. Right now, he is in the process of forming an Energy Corridor in the middle of North Dakota. In yesterday’s speech, he talked about how these programs will play an integral role in growing the future economy of our state.

According to Dorgan, North Dakota clean coal technology and more renewable energy production should be used to grow our energy sector. He said our state has the potential to be one of the nation’s leaders in renewable energy production, and we can achieve this thru bolstering production and implementing nationwide renewable fuels standards. The goal of all of this: To decrease America’s dependence on foreign energy.

On water issues, Dorgan said, “We have too much water in Devils Lake and not enough in the Missouri River.” For years, he has been on the front lines fighting the Army Corps of Engineers to stop draining Lake Sakakawea, because of the miniscule barge industry downstream. And he has taken numerous tours of the Devils Lake area and brought federal disaster dollars home to fight the creeping waters lapping at doorsteps.

Dorgan is a man who knows this land of North Dakota. He is a friend of mine, this state and country. We should all feel honored that he serves our state and party so proudly and exceptionally in the halls of the U.S. Senate.

Cowboy up

Another event worth noting this weekend is the annual Cowboy Hall of Fame banquet and auction at the Seven Seas in Mandan happening Saturday. Ashley Andrews, Miss Rodeo America 2007 will be the guest speaker.

The organization will be auctioning neckties from Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, along with many other items. One of the featured auction items is a weekend hunting package in Regent, the pheasant hunting capital of North Dakota. OK, so I’ll probably be getting some flack from the folks in Mott for that one.

Social hour begins at 5 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling the Seven Seas at (701) 663-7401, or tickets can be purchased the day of the event.

Schedule of Senator Kent Conrad's 2007 Farm Bill Outreach Meetings

Senator Kent Conrad will hold a series of outreach meetings across the state to gather input from North Dakota's agriculture community as he prepares to work on the 2007 Farm Bill. Senator Conrad invites all North Dakotans to attend these meetings to make their voices heard. Scott Stofferahn, Senator Conrad's State Director, will be leading these outreach meetings.

MARCH 12

• 9:00 am Lisbon --Eagles 6410 Highway 32, Lisbon, ND
• 3:00 pm Napoleon -- Downtowner Steakhouse 310 Main, Napoleon, ND

MARCH 13

• 10:00 am Mohall -- American Legion Hall 807 Highway 5 E, Mohall, ND
• 4:00 pm Parshall -- Legion Hall Main Street, Parshall, ND

MARCH 14

• 9:00 am Dickinson -- Gate City Bank Community Room, 204 Sims, Dickinson, ND
• 3:00 pm (MST) Flasher -- 21 Club 110 6th Avenue West, Flasher, ND

MARCH 15

• 3:00 pm Drake -- KC Hall Cedar Street, Drake, ND
• 9:00 am New Rockford -- Dakota Roadhouse 381 1st St S, New Rockford, ND

MARCH 16
• 9:00 am Park River -- Legion Hall 820 5th Street, Park River, ND
• 3:00 pm Portland -- KT Hall 719 Bennett Avenue, Portland, ND

GF Herald says no to Republican plan for new prison

Via the GF Herald's Web site...

OUR OPINION : Rethink the plan to build a new prison
Tom Dennis for the GF Herald
Published Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Of all the strange votes to come out of this legislative session, the North Dakota House's vote to build a new state prison next to the existing state prison may be the strangest.

Where did the House plan come from?

Actually, to call it a “plan” may be too generous, given that apparently, there is no plan. Nor are there any drawings, studies, renderings or other documents that projects of such importance normally require.

As a result, the plan also suffers from an extreme lack of credibility, as Rep. Mary Ekstrom, D-Fargo, wrote in a recent column.

“I spent 30 years serving as the co-owner of Ekstrom Associates,” Ekstrom wrote (“Don't waste money on new prison,” Page 3D, Feb. 18).

“My husband and the architects we employed designed prison facilities. I have firsthand experience on the costs and process of building these kinds of buildings. You do not proceed with a project of this magnitude without an assessment of the facility and programs.

“We do not know what the Republican plan would look like or what the $85 million would build.”

Read on...

News from headquarters

All of you spending Saturday night in Bismarck because of the Policy Committee Meeting should consider going to District 34’s breakfast and book sale fundraiser Sunday morning. It starts at 8 a.m. and goes until 1 p.m. The cost is very reasonable, and goes to a good cause – giving Cook, Kelsch and Porter the boot in 2008. The event is being held at the Mandan Eagles Club, 1400 Collins Ave.

Important upcoming legislative events

Here’s a compilation of some upcoming legislative events according to Tuesday’s Forum of Fargo/Moorhead amassed by Capitol reporter Janell Cole:

WEDNESDAY

House Concurrent Resolution 3019—The chancellor amendment would transfer much of the state Board of Higher Education’s duties to the chancellor; it says the board hires the chancellor and the chancellor administers the university system. If the Legislature approved the amendment, it would later go to a vote of the people. 3:20 p.m. in House Constitutional Revision Committee, Prairie Room.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 4027—Would order a study of whether Bismarck State College should be made a four-year degree-granting institution. 2:15 p.m., Senate Education Committee.

THURSDAY

Senate Bill 2099 and House Bill 1490—Two bills that further the legal cultivation of industrial hemp in the state are heard in the Senate and House agriculture committees. Senate Agriculture hears HB 1409 at 9 a.m. and House Agriculture hears 2099 at an unspecified time Thursday morning--the third of four bills beginning at 9 a.m.

House Concurrent Resolution 3054—This proposes an idea that has been often introduced and never adopted, calling for annual legislative sessions. 8:05 a.m., Constitutional Revision Committee, Prairie Room.

Senate Bill 2235—Calls for the random testing of voting machines after as well as before polling takes place. Fifth of five bills being heard starting at 9 a.m. in House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee.

FRIDAY

House Bill 1380—Calls for uniform polling hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day in all precincts, except those in which fewer than 75 people voted in the previous election, which may open at noon. 10 a.m., Senate Government and Veterans Affairs Committee.

House Bill 1259—Boosts the penalties for drunk driving, so that a third or further offense in 10 years would be a felony. Currently, drunk driving becomes a felony for a fifth offense in seven years. 9:30 a.m., Senate Transportation Committee.

House Bill 1236—Expands the definition of illegal littering on roads, specifying that in addition to the prohibition on glass bottles, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, rubbish, it should also include “any other substance likely to injure any person, animal, or vehicle.” 11 a.m., Senate Transportation Committee.

The other one I’ll throw in here is a hearing on SCR 4022. It’s a bipartisan resolution calling for peace in Iraq. It also recognizes our troops for serving our country bravely while fighting in the midst of sectarian violence. The hearing is being held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday in the state Capitol’s Red River Room and is open to the public.

News from headquarters

Interesting articles appeared throughout the state’s newspapers this last weekend. The one that piqued the most interest on this blog was a Sunday column from Bismarck Tribune political reporter, Jonathan Rivoli.

Rivoli’s column basically echoed what’s been happening to many of our legislators’ bills for years now. The Dems have great ideas, and, either the governor, or the Republican legislative leadership co-opt them. However, this legislative session it’s reached an unprecedented level.

Senate Minority Leader David O’Connell (D-Lansford) said Republicans have been stealing Democratic ideas this session ranging from minimum wage to renewable energy.

Rep. Steve Zaiser (D-Fargo) called the actions “kill, lift and insert.”

All House Majority Leader Rick Berg (R-Fargo) could say in Rivoli’s column is: Too bad, so sad. And all Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem could say is we’re using political rhetoric.

All I can say is this seems like an arrogance of power within the North Dakota Republican Party.

Admittedly, it doesn’t feel that great having our ideas taken, but it’s interesting to see the Republicans trying to take our lead.

Progressive blogger Ryan Gustafson opined on the subject yesterday on his Web site. He alluded to the fact that former Republican Gov. Ed Schafer was recently caught possibly plagiarizing in an article for the Dakota Beacon. Remember that being reported on a blog a few weeks ago?

I’m glad our issues are being moved forward, but are Republicans that bankrupt of ideas? No, wait, they have ours! And in the case of Schafer, he has the Internet!

The other piece of news from this weekend worth a double take regards our state’s budget. According to the Associated Press, legislative Republicans have so far agreed to increase state spending by 35 percent over current levels. That’s $692 million over the next two years. Our budget surplus is projected at $540 million. Will Republican spending eat it all, plus more?

On top of that, the same Associated Press article said Republicans may have to borrow money to build their new state penitentiary. Are you kidding me? That’s the wrong direction to take our budget. It kinda reminds me of the little spending problem Congressional Republicans had in Washington, D.C., before they recently conceded power.

Do we really need a new state pen?

Via The Forum's Web site...

Spending $85 million for a new pen waste of taxpayers' money
By Rep. Mary Ekstrom
Forum letter to the editor

Spending $85 million on an all new prison is a waste of money. A new state penitentiary project is on the table. I feel the state would be better served by reworking the current facility as proposed in the executive budget. It is not only the most fiscally responsible option; it’s also what state officials have asked for.

It is the North Dakota Department of Corrections opinion that the penitentiary is in need of new cellblocks and remodeling. I’m in agreement. The East Cellblock is antiquated and should be torn down to accommodate more modern facilities. The proposal in the Executive Budget would create new prisoner housing, a segregation unit, infirmary and a whole host of other updates. After the project’s completion, inmate beds would total 944. Plans for the project have already been drafted, and the estimate of $43 million is solid.

There is a much more expensive plan being discussed right now in Bismarck.

Rep. Alon Wieland’s, R-West Fargo, idea is to build an entirely new penitentiary on a site adjacent to the old facility. The House Appropriations Committee recently approved the use of $85 million to do just that. It is hard to justify spending an additional $43 million and have no net gain in beds.

Read on...

Chairman's Invitation

Dear Fellow Democrats,

It is my pleasure to invite you to an exciting day of party events in Bismarck on Saturday, February 24th.

A training workshop for party activists and potential candidates is scheduled from 9:15 AM - 12 noon. We have assembled an outstanding group of training staff including Brad Martin, DNC Northwest Political Director. Before taking this position in Washington, DC, Brad served for 12 years as the Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party.

It is important that we waste no time in preparing for the next election. The training will focus on developing recruiting, organizing, and fund raising skills necessary in preparing for the challenges ahead. I encourage all interested Democrats to attend the workshop.

The workshop will be followed with a buffet luncheon at 12:30 featuring Congressman Earl Pomeroy.

The state party reorganization meeting will begin at 1:30, followed by a dessert reception at 4 PM, sponsored by Tim Purdon and Carmen Miller.

All the day's events will be held at the ND Heritage Center on the Capitol Grounds.

We will need an exact count for the luncheon, so if you plan to attend, please RSVP to Kathi at the Kennedy Center by phone (255-0460) or email (kathi@demnpl.com) by Monday, February 19th.

If you have any questions, or need more information, feel free to call me at 255-0460, or email me at strauss_david@msn.com.

I look forward to seeing you on February 24th.

Sincerely,

David M. Strauss, Chairman
ND Democratic-NPL Party

Schedule:

9:15 AM - 12:00 - Workshop - "Building Your Organization" (Lecture Rooms A & B)

12:30 PM - Luncheon with Congressman Earl Pomeroy (Mezzanine)

1:30 PM - State party reorganization meeting (Lecture Rooms A & B)

4:00 PM - Dessert reception sponsored by Tim Purdon & Carmen Miller (Mezzanine)

Republicans stealing Dem bills?

Via the Bismarck Tribune's Web site...

N.D. Dems say ideas being co-opted
Jonathan Rivoli
Bismarck Tribune

When Rep. Arlo Schmidt, D-Maddock, campaigned door-to-door last fall, he got an earful about the difficulty of paying for college.

So when Schmidt arrived in Bismarck last month, he quickly introduced a bill to create a low-interest college loan program through the state-owned Bank of North Dakota.

His idea was approved last week by the state House. So why was Schmidt so visibly upset during floor debate on the measure that he was gaveled out of order?

"They took my bill and made it their bill, that's why it's so upsetting," Schmidt said of the House's Republican majority. "That's not fair."

The version that passed had a handful of Republican sponsors, with Schmidt's name nowhere in sight. His original bill was voted down.

Schmidt's experience is reflective of what's happened to a handful of Democratic bills this session. The practice has some Democrats piping mad, while Republican leaders are wondering what all the fuss is about.

Sen. Minority Leader David O'Connell, D-Lansford, said the Republican leadership has been stealing Democratic ideas on everything from minimum wage to renewable energy.

Read on...

Republicans may opt for borrow and spend with N.D. budget

Via the Bismarck Tribune's Web site...

Struggle to balance the budget?
By DALE WETZEL
Associated Press

Gov. John Hoeven wanted the Legislature to boost North Dakota's general fund spending by 24 percent. So far, for its majority Republicans, that was just a place to start the bidding.

When lawmakers return to the Capitol on Wednesday after a midsession break, they'll have to find a way to reconcile some of the mammoth spending increases and tax cuts that wriggled through the House and Senate in the session's first 32 days.

So far, the two chambers have endorsed proposals that would boost state general fund spending to $2.68 billion over two years, which is an increase of almost $692 million, or 34.8 percent, from current spending levels. Hoeven's budget proposal suggested a mere $2.47 billion.

Read on...

News from headquarters

I attended the governor’s press conference yesterday regarding renewable energy in the Memorial Hall of the state Capitol. The line up featured the governor, the House and Senate majority leaders, an assortment of Republican legislators and some folks who work in the renewable energy industry.

What’s missing you ask? Well, there were no Democratic-NPL elected officials invited to the event. That’s not too cool considering our folks have been promoting renewable energy legislation for almost a decade. In fact, they were first on the scene.

This session, our legislators, along with Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, formed a bi-partisan group to promote renewable energy legislation. The governor and the Republican legislative leadership should have done the same, but you know how Hoeven likes to take credit for things. Several renewable energy bills this session have bi-partisan sponsors. The goal is to do what’s best for the state, and that means involving all the major players.

In some ways, I’m glad to see lucrative renewable energy proposals being promoted by Republicans, even if the ideas were taken from our folks and not an ounce of credit was given. North Dakota is light years away from surrounding states in renewable energy production. That’s mainly because Republicans in the Legislature refused to pass renewable energy bills sponsored by Democrats in past sessions. Maybe now we can start catching up with surrounding states.

A lot of credit not given by Republicans yesterday deserves to go to Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, Sen. Joel Heitkamp, Rep. Pam Gulleson, Rep. Scot Kelsh and many other elected officials. They have been working hard for nearly a decade to bolster the renewable energy industry in North Dakota.

Speaking of renewable energy legislation, SB 2282, a bill to bolster renewable fuels usage in North Dakota, failed yesterday in the Senate by a vote of 24-22, mostly along party lines. The legislation would have given incentives to convert traditional fuel station pumps to dispensers for ethanol and biodiesel. It would have also set a goal for the consumption of biofuels - 25 percent by the year 2020.

Big house bill

HB 1015, a bill to fund a new state penitentiary passed the House by a vote of 59-34 yesterday. As Rep. Mary Ekstrom explained in a press release from Wednesday, this is an example of Republicans wasting money. The estimated cost to renovate the current facility is $42 million. The estimated cost from an architecture firm to build a new facility is $116 million. The bill allocates $85 million for construction. I think building a new prison would be a pig in a poke.

Dorgan Bill Aims to Reform Federal Contracting, Cut Waste, Fraud and Abuse

Via a press release...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and 22 Senate colleagues introduced legislation Thursday that would make sweeping reforms in federal contracting rules.

The legislation is aimed at stopping what Dorgan called “outrageous rip-offs of the American taxpayer” including huge no bid contracts, little if any accountability for implementation of those contracts.

Late last month, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction released a report detailing tens of millions of dollars in wasteful spending on Iraq reconstruction projects. Over the past two years, Dorgan, as Chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, conducted more than a dozen oversight hearings that exposed hundreds of millions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina.

Key points of the legislation are as follows:

· Punishment for war profiteers: imposes penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million for war profiteering.

· Crackdown on contract cheaters: restores a rule which prohibits awarding federal contracts to companies that exhibit a pattern of breaking the law in performance of government contracts. The previous rule, put in place by the Clinton Administration, was dropped by Bush Administration upon taking office.

· Real contract competition: prohibits awarding huge, sole-source, monopoly contracts, like the ones Halliburton has routinely been awarded in Iraq, requiring that multiple companies be awarded large contracts to ensure real price competition.

· End cronyism in key government positions: stops unqualified political appointees like Michael Brown and David Safavian from holding government positions relating to contracting and public safety. The bill requires that nominees for such posts have relevant professional qualifications for the job.

“American taxpayers have a right to expect that their tax dollars are spent wisely,” Dorgan said. “Too often officials they should have been able to count on have been asleep at the switch. Our bill not only provides a much needed wake-up call, it puts teeth behind the effort to protect tax payers from waste, fraud and abuse.”

Republicans' plan for new prison is wasteful and not solid

Via the GF Herald's Web site...

Dems question prison proposal
By Janell Cole, State Capitol Bureau

BISMARCK - House Democrats are questioning fiscal responsibility of Republicans who are pushing through a plan to build a new $85 million prison at twice the cost of a renovation plan the governor seeks.

The proposal got the go-ahead late Tuesday from the House Appropriations Committee as an amendment to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget bill. It will come up for a vote today.

Rep. Mary Ekstrom, D-Fargo, and Rep. Pam Gulleson, D-Rutland, both members of the House Appropriations Committee, said Wednesday that most existing buildings at the prison will be useful for another 75 years. Gov. John Hoeven proposed a $42 million, 300-bed replacement cell house. Beyond that, the cost of future repairs on existing buildings is about $6 million, said Ekstrom, a longtime co-owner of an architectural firm.

Read on...

Republicans are Using Both Sides of Their Mouths

(BISMARCK) Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007, the North Dakota Senate passed HB 1454. Republicans, who control the calendar, decided to place the Republican sponsored minimum wage bill that originated in the House on the calendar before voting on the two bills that originated in the Senate.

HB 1454 also has a string attached that puts the fate of the minimum wage increase in the hands of Congress, essentially passing the buck to Congress. SB 2122, sponsored by Senator Tim Mathern (D-11 Fargo), would have made similar increases proposed in the bills currently being debated in Congress. Senator Mathern’s legislation would have made the increases without waiting for action from Washington.

Ironically, no Republican voted for SB 2122. Then, when asked about the minimum wage bills, Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem (R-30 Bismarck), as printed in the Bismarck Tribune said, “But even if the federal wage increase passes, a state increase is needed for the North Dakota workers who fall into categories that aren’t covered by federal law…”

“If there are workers that are not going to be covered by the minimum wage increase acted on by Congress, why are we pending the minimum wage increase on their action,” said Senator Mathern. “What is good is good and what is right is right. If it is right to increase the minimum wage, then we need to do it, not wait for others to take action.”

News from headquarters

Yesterday, Rep. Mary Ekstrom (D-Fargo) held a news conference in the House Minority Leader’s office with other fellow Democratic legislators. She discussed renovating our existing state penitentiary and disagreed with other plans to build a new one.

Here’s part of the press release:

The House Appropriations Committee is debating whether or not to build a new State Penitentiary. House Republicans have estimated the cost of building a new State Penitentiary at $85 million. Another option is to remodel the current State Penitentiary at a cost of about $42 million.

The bill, as proposed, would rebuild the State Penitentiary on the same site, to hold the same amount of prisoners, and cost an estimated $85 million. Add to that, the fact that many of the buildings at the State Penitentiary only need to be remodeled not replaced, and the argument for a new prison becomes very weak.

“This is a simple example of Republicans wasting money,” said Rep. Mary Ekstrom. “The average lifespan of prison buildings is 75 to 100 years. A majority of the buildings at the State Penitentiary were built after 1982. That leaves 50 to 75 years of life for these buildings.”
I think Ekstrom is right on the money.

Some good bills

The House passed HB 1506 yesterday, which sets up a state renewable and recycled energy objective. The goal is for 10 percent of all retail electricity sold in North Dakota to be derived from renewable and recycled energy sources by 2015. This bill was heavily promoted by Rep. Scot Kelsh (D-Fargo). He has been a true champion for wind energy development in North Dakota.

Tuesday, the House passed HB 1483, which encourages government agencies and educational institutions to purchase environmentally friendly office supplies. This bill was heavily promoted by Rep. Pam Gulleson (D-Rutland).

Kudos to all who worked on getting these bills passed. Renewable energy is becoming a booming industry in North Dakota. Not only will it bolster the state’s economy, but it brings the United States closer to energy independence.

Random musings

Yesterday, I sat in on a meeting conducted by Sen. Aaron Krauter (D-Regent) with high school students from Regent and Mott. It took place in the Brynhild Haugland Room in the state Capitol. Krauter discussed how state government works. He talked briefly about the state’s budget, and told the group that the state will spend around $6 billion over the next two years. That’s no small change. I wanted to tell those students we spend about that much on the war in Iraq each month.

Here’s some more random food for thought. Yesterday, Republicans in the Senate voted to approve the budget for WSI. Some of that money will go toward employee raises. Their executive director already gets paid $166,000 a year. Meanwhile, Republicans put a stop to Sen. Larry Robinson’s (D- Valley City) bill which would have funded computerized registration sites for sexual predators. It would have made law enforcement’s job to keep track of the offenders much easier. The bill was ultimately turned into a study and then passed. I heard from a state senator that the increased funding to WSI is $3 million. The sexual predator kiosks would have cost $1 million. Which do you think is more important?

One other thing. Gov. John Hoeven, Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem (R-Bismarck) and House Majority Leader Rick Berg (R-Fargo) are supposed to hold a news conference about renewable energy today. These legislative leaders opposed many renewable energy proposals in the past. I'll comment on their press release later.

Right wing Rep. Carlson gets blasted by The Forum

Via The Forum's Web site...

Forum editorial: Shoot first legislation plain stupid
The Forum

There’s a new sheriff in town (well, in Bismarck) in the shoot-em-up persona of Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo. The veteran legislator raised North Dakota’s status on the national ridicule map this week with his less-than-subtle support for a bill that will allow North Dakotans who suspect (they don’t have to know) that a burglar is in the house to shoot first and ask questions later. Shoot to kill, we assume.

The bill extends the same privilege to drivers who suspect (again, they don’t have to know) that a carjacker is trying to steal their vehicle. Shoot first, ask questions later. Shoot to kill, we assume.

Does it get any more irresponsible? Any less civilized?

North Dakota law already recognizes the right of homeowners to protect their property and family by the application of deadly force. But current law – which would be changed by the new bill – says “the use of deadly force is not justified, if it can be avoided, with safety to the actor and others, by retreat or other conduct involving minimal interference with the freedom of the person being menaced.” In other words, the homeowner or driver has reasonable options other than killing someone.

The new proposal can be construed that even if a burglar were run off, the armed citizen could shoot him down (in the back, we assume), although the threat of harm from the criminal was gone.

Read on...

News from headquarters

It was a vote-a-rama yesterday in both legislative chambers. There were 30 bills voted on in the Senate and 54 in the House, if I counted right. Again, many Democratic bills were on the chopping block.

In the Senate, there was much debate on minimum wage as three bills on that topic were up for a vote. What’s interesting is the Republicans killed Sen. Tim Mathern’s (D-Fargo) minimum wage bill, SB 2122. SB 2370, sponsored by Sen. Bob Stenehjem (R- Bismarck) was also killed. The Senate went with HB 1454 instead, which is basically an amended rip off of the aforementioned bills.

Senate Republicans also voted to kill SB 2322. This bill was sponsored by Sen. Aaron Krauter (D-Regent), and would have risen state funding for local governments. In turn, it would have given property tax relief. This is the second time Republicans have voted against property tax relief in the Senate.

In the House, Republicans killed HB 1484. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Pam Gulleson (D-Rutland), and would have given tuition rebates for graduates of career training programs. This is the third time House Republicans have killed a bill to give tuition or student loan relief.

House Republicans also shot down a bill to give National Guard troops availability to a state health insurance program. That bill’s number is HB 1510 and was sponsored by Rep. Jasper Schneider (D- Fargo).

Conrad’s committees

Sen. Kent Conrad officially announced yesterday that he will be serving as chairman of the Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology.

He said this in a press release from yesterday:

"I'm looking forward to this new position and the opportunity it represents for North Dakota," Senator Conrad said. "This subcommittee will address issues of vital importance to North Dakota, like the expansion of renewable fuels, which is crucial to our nation's energy future."

Conrad also serves as chairman of the Budget Committee, chairman of the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Production and Price Competitiveness, chairman of the Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy, and on the Indian Affairs Committee.

Republicans vote against property tax relief again

Via the Associated Press...

Senate won't raise ND local governments' sales tax share
By DALE WETZEL
Associated Press Writer

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- North Dakota senators have declined to increase state aid to local governments by 45 percent, despite arguments that doing so would help them avoid raising property taxes.

"If you properly fund local government, if you properly fund K-12 education ... you've given people property tax relief," said Sen. Joel Heitkamp, D-Hankinson.

Sen. Dwight Cook, R-Mandan, said state government already provides about $1.2 billion to local governments every two years.

"That is, truly, I believe, a fair balance," Cook said. State property tax relief efforts should be focused more on aid to local schools, which take the biggest share of a homeowner's property tax bill, Cook said.

North Dakota's Senate voted 24-21 on Tuesday to reject legislation, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Krauter, D-Regent, to increase local governments' share of North Dakota's sales tax.

At present, counties, cities and other local taxing districts receive four-tenths of 1 percent of state sales tax collections. Krauter's bill sought to increase the share to sixth-tenths of 1 percent, which was the allocation until the Legislature voted a decade ago to lower it. The change took effect in January 1999.

Read on...

News from headquarters

Monday morning was full of heated debate in the North Dakota House of Representatives. It mostly had to do with - guess what - WSI. In fact, there were 17 bills voted upon that morning from what I counted. Most of the Democratic sponsored WSI bills were killed.

One of the bills the Republicans shot down was HB 1323. It was another attempt to put control of the agency back in the hands of the governor. The other bill, SB 2257, would have, but Sen. Nick Hacker (R- Grand Forks) hog housed it.

The agency has been under much scrutiny after two damning reports were disclosed late last year regarding agency tactics and employee morale. Republicans have seemed to ignore them. Democrats want the problems fixed.

Speaking of scrutiny – did you hear that the Burleigh County States Attorney’s office has subpoenaed documents from WSI? I heard it on the radio Friday while hitching a ride to Fargo from Rep. Chris Griffin (D-Larimore). It made for some interesting drive time talk.

Dorgan’s duties

Our own Sen. Byron Dorgan has just been named chairman of the Interstate Commerce, Trade & Tourism Subcommittee. The subcommittee sits under the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), chair.

Dorgan said this in a press release regarding the new post:

“As chairman of the Interstate Commerce, Trade & Tourism Subcommittee, I will push for policies that look out for consumers and American workers,” said Dorgan. “We need to ensure American competitiveness and work towards trade practices that are fair to American businesses and their workers.”

Dorgan is also chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, chairman of the Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee within the Appropriations Committee and chairman of the Energy Subcommittee within the Energy & Natural Resources Committee.

Now that’s North Dakota work ethic at its best.

Quote of the day from yesterday

Rep. Al Carlson (R-Fargo) discussing the "Kingdom Doctrine Bill:"

“I’d tell you what would happen in my house. I would shoot that person, and I would shoot them enough times that I knew he wasn’t going to do any danger to me, or my family,” Carlson said. “He’d leak like a watering can when I was done with him.”

Now that's some Republican rationality.

Dorgan Introduces Proposal to Reduce the Federal Budget Deficit

Via a press release...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) introduced legislation Monday that he called the “Act For Our Kids” to reduce the federal budget deficit by over $200 billion in the coming five years.

“Our fiscal policy is off track and we need to fix it,” Dorgan said. “We can’t continue to spend money we don’t have and leave trillions of dollars of debt to be paid by our children and grandchildren.”

Dorgan’s proposal would reduce the federal deficit by applying targeted spending cuts to the budgets of federal agencies that force a decrease in their administrative overhead expenses.

“Bureaucracy continues to grow and every time someone proposes a cut in spending the agencies take the cut out of their programs that help people,” Dorgan said. “It’s time to cut back some of the overhead expenditure in federal bureaucracy, and that includes Congress and the executive branch.”

This proposal will eliminate some federal spending programs that Dorgan believes are wasteful. In addition, it will increase revenue by ending tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans with an annual income over $1 million, and by closing tax loopholes that allow multinational companies to move good-paying jobs overseas and park their profits in offshore tax havens.

Dorgan also proposes a temporary two percent fee on imports coming into the United States. “It is a modest fee that will raise a substantial amount of money to reduce the deficit,” Dorgan said. “At the same time, it will respond to the ballooning trade deficit of over $800 billion in a positive way.”

The economic projections in 2001 showed the U.S. would have a $5.6 trillion surplus in the coming decade. Just six years later, the U.S. faces a ballooning federal debt that is expected to grow to over $12 trillion by 2012.

“If we don’t take action now the federal indebtedness will continue to skyrocket,” Dorgan said. “My proposals represent a series of ideas that I think will begin to address a fiscal policy that is out of control. This is a first step in the right direction to decide as a country that we’re not going to continue this kind of reckless fiscal policy.”

Former NDGOP chairman on most corrupt list

Via The Forum's Web site...

Political notebook
Janell Cole and Don Davis, The Forum

Insult to injury

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has listed former Fargo businessman and Republican activist John T. Korsmo in its report, “The 25 Most Corrupt Officials of the Bush Administration,” released last week.

His inclusion is based on his guilty plea in 2005 to making false statements to the Office of Inspector General and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs while he was the Bush administration’s chairman of the Federal Housing Finance Board.

Read on...

News from headquarters

A recent score card of U.S. Senators and Representatives from the Children’s Defense Fund, gives Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy a perfect score. It also gives the North Dakota Congressional Delegation a perfect score. The Delegation actually ranked first nationwide in the “Best State Delegations for Children” and “State Delegation Rankings for Children” categories.

Click here to see the scorecard.

Peace talks

Kathy Kelly, a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, will be speaking at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the Prairie Room of Bismarck State College’s Student Union.

She will present a program entitled “Non-Violent Conflict Management: International Paths to Peace,” which is free and open to the public. Also speaking will be Dr. Janet Moen, co-founder of the UND Peace Studies Department. The program is co-sponsored by the North Dakota Peace Coalition, the Gandhi Peace Network and the UND Peace Studies Department. It is made possible through a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation.

Lunch with legislators

The Democratic-NPL of Cass County is holding a brown bag lunch to keep the public informed about ongoing issues facing the 2007 North Dakota Legislature. All Cass County Dem-NPL legislators have been invited to participate.

The event is being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10. It will be located at Democratic- NPL of Cass County Headquarters, 1137 19th Ave. N., Fargo.

The meeting is open to anyone interested in attending. It will be a very informal discussion about legislation and current issues pertaining to the 2007 Legislative Session.

Sen. Conrad is the right man for the job

Via The Forum's Web site...

Forum editorial: Conrad will ask right questions
The Forum
Published Thursday, February 08, 2007

Fans of Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., are happy to see him in one of the most powerful spots in the U.S. Senate: chairman of the Budget Committee. He’s become the go-to guy on the budget for the national press. He’s emerged as an articulate, informed critic of the Bush budget.

It’s no surprise, therefore, that the administration’s myopic supporters, including such heavy hitters as the Wall Street Journal, are doing their best to undermine Conrad’s credibility. It won’t work, of course, because the senator is a student of the federal budget and knows of what he speaks when he questions the administration’s numbers.

Conrad has been consistent in raising red flags about the nation’s burgeoning debt, much of it held by unfriendly foreign nations. He’s often been a lone voice in warning about administration budget assumptions that all but guarantee the nation will run into a financial ditch unless changes are made. He was among Senate leaders who railed against the administration’s refusal to include costs of the Iraq war in previous budgets, a practice the administration reversed this year.

Critics of the senator like to portray him as a tax-and-spend liberal or a skilled pork barrel politician. Neither is true.

Conrad is one of the Senate’s most vocal deficit hawks. As the deficit ballooned in the six years of the Bush administration, Conrad and a handful of colleagues �