Wages in N.D. a big issue

Via the Minot Daily News' Web site...

Poll: North Dakotans favor higher paying jobs
By JILL SCHRAMM, Minot Daily News Staff Writer

About half of Americans, including more than four in 10 North Dakotans, perceive that a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet in their communities, according to a poll commissioned by the Northwest Area Foundation, Minneapolis.

Poll results released today show that most North Dakotans say a family of four in their communities would need $30,000 or more to make ends meet, which is higher than the federal government’s poverty threshold of $20,444. More than half said a family of four would need $40,000 or more, up from 38 percent who said the same in a similar poll in December 2005.

Nearly 30 percent of households of all sizes in North Dakota live on less than $40,000 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 30 percent of North Dakotans also have annual incomes of less than $30,000 a year, compared to 27 percent of Americans overall.

Read on...

New Democratic presidential poll

2008 Democratic Presidential Primary
Rasmussen Reports

For the first time in the Election 2008 season, somebody other than New York Senator Hillary Clinton is on top in the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows Illinois Senator Barack Obama with a statistically insignificant two point advantage over the former First Lady. It's Obama 32% Clinton 30%. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards remains in third with support holding steady at 17%. No other candidate tops 3%. The survey was conducted April 23-26, 2007 meaning that the overwhelming majority of the interviews were completed before last Thursday's debate in South Carolina. The impact of the debate will be measured in polling conducted this week.

Read on...

News from headquarters

Did you watch the first Democratic presidential debate last night? I thought all the candidates were top notch. Much of the debate was focused on a new direction in Iraq. Other big topics included healthcare and foreign policy.

Here's what Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean had to say about it:

"The American people were the real winners in tonight's debate. Tonight our Democratic candidates showed that they stand with the American people and offered real solutions to end the war in Iraq and protect America from terrorist threats. The security of our country demands nothing less. So far, the leading Republicans only offer more of the same of George W. Bush's failed policy in Iraq."

Day of remembrance

The Missouri Slope Central Labor Council will hold a ceremony on the state Capitol steps in Bismarck in observation of Workers' Memorial Day at 11 a.m. this Saturday. Workers' Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor those who have died or were injured on the job.

Relatives and co-workers will place flowers by flags representing each worker who died on the job as their names are read. Sen. Tracy Potter, D-Bismarck, will be the main speaker.

Other Workers' Memorial events include:

Fargo at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 30, at the Labor Temple, 3002 1st. Ave N. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be served immediately following the event. Sponsored by Northern Plains United Labor Council.

Grand Forks at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at the Workers' Memorial Site in Bringewatt Park on 24th Ave. S., right off of Columbia Road. Sponsored by Northern Valley Labor Council.

Dorgan Says Funding Bill Provides More Money to Support the Troops Than President Requested

Via a news release from Sen. Dorgan's office...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said Thursday the supplemental appropriations bill now on its way to the White House fully funds U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and includes $4 billion more for the Defense Department than the President requested.

Dorgan said he does not support a funding cut-off and does not support a hard deadline that could jeopardize funding for troops in the field. “This legislation contains neither,” he said.

Dorgan said the legislation provides more than $100 billion for the Defense Department, including more money than the President requested for protecting U.S. soldiers from roadside bombs, meeting the health needs of soldiers and treating veterans when they return home.

“This legislation also includes ‘goals’ for a new strategy in Iraq, which is urgently needed,” Dorgan said. “It makes clear to the Iraqi government that they need to set some timelines and goals for the Iraqi government to begin providing for their own security.

“The Iraqi government has repeatedly committed to taking action that would reconcile the warring factions in their country and train Iraqis to provide security. They have time and time again failed to take those actions. Without some pressure, there is little reason to believe they will take the necessary action. That’s what this legislation does: it pushes the Iraqi government to meet benchmarks. Only then will we begin to see an end to the war and be able to bring our troops home.”

News from headquarters

The first Democratic presidential debate will be televised at 6 tonight on MSNBC. It will air live from South Carolina State University.

"Hardball" with Chris Matthews will air from SCSU at 4 p.m. with interviews and analysis prior to the event. MSNBC will also air comprehensive analysis after its conclusion.

"NBC Nightly News" Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams will be the moderator.

The South Carolina Democratic Party has announced that Sens. Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, Barack Obama, former Sens. John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, and Gov. Bill Richardson will all participate.

Click here to register a viewing party with the Democratic National Committee.

Property tax relief

The House stalled a floor debate on Senate Bill 2032, the last standing property tax relief bill, until 9:45 last night. I just so happened to be listening over the Internet. It passed with flying colors.

Democratic-NPL legislators campaigned hard on this issue last year. They have fulfilled their pledge to bring property tax relief to North Dakotans.

After the bill's passing, the 2007 Legislative Session officially came to a close.

Legislative history

Since this legislative session was the longest in history, I thought I'd point out this piece of legislative history.

According to a story by Jonathan Rivoli in yesterday's Bismarck Tribune:

Those with the greatest control over the flow of a legislative session are the House and Senate majority leaders, who appoint committees and schedule bills for debate. The majority leaders this year are Sen. Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck, and Rep. Rick Berg, R- Fargo.

In the past, record-breaking sessions have not been kind to the majority leaders who run them. After both 1993 and 2001, the majority leaders in both chambers lost their jobs. Both Stenehjem and Berg said they aren't concerned.

That's something to think about. Conservative Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, was just elected as chairman of Legislative Council last night. Is it a sign?

Property tax bill may be heard tonight

For all of you who are interested in the property tax relief bill that may be heard on the House floor tonight, click here to get a live feed. Then click on the link that's titled Live House Audio. It may be heard at 9 p.m.

Update: It will now be heard on the House floor for sure at 9:45 p.m.

Conrad Warns of Fight Over Farm Bill

Via a news release from Sen. Conrad's office...

Washington – With Congress beginning to craft the 2007 Farm Bill, Senator Kent Conrad today warned agricultural leaders that the development of national farm legislation will be a difficult task.

“There are many road blocks ahead as we write this new Farm Bill. We’re fighting against a growing public opinion fed by an East Coast media that simply doesn’t understand farming,” Senator Conrad said. “This bill is critically important, and we must work together to gather support for America’s family farmers.”

In a hearing today of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Conrad noted that the Washington Post has reported a number of articles advocating against federal support for America’s farmers.

“The stories in this big city newspaper paint an unfair picture of rural America,” Senator Conrad said. “It is clear that East Coast media has little understanding of federal farm policy and its effects on the lives of families in North Dakota.”

Senator Conrad was a chief architect of the current Farm Bill, which passed Congress in 2002, and has been widely recognized in farm country as a success. That legislation expires this year and Congress is beginning debate on its reauthorization. As both Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a senior member of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Conrad is in a unique position to influence the next Farm Bill.

Agriculture is North Dakota's top industry, employing about one in every five North Dakotans, and over a quarter of rural North Dakotans. The new Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of federal legislation for the state's economy.

“Obviously, there is much work for us to do, but I am also optimistic that we can do great things for North Dakota in the next farm bill,” Senator Conrad said. “We can strengthen our commodity programs, create a permanent disaster title, and increase our domestic energy supply by increasing support for biofuels in this Farm Bill.”

To learn more about this and other issues of importance to North Dakota, please visit Senator Conrad’s Web site at www.conrad.senate.gov.

News from headquarters

Today is the 78 legislative day. That's a new all-time record. State law only allows 80 days. I've been told by many of our legislators that they don't know when this legislative session will be over.

I talked yesterday of Republican soap operas causing legislative gridlock. They are the majority party and run most of the show. Just look at the way property tax relief is being handled. The issue is at an impasse in the House, where yesterday it got a licking.

Republicans have made little effort to work in a bi-partisan fashion this session. They have a real arrogance of power in both the House and Senate.

Also, four of the five longest legislative sessions in modern times have been under the auspice of Republican Gov. John Hoeven. How's that for leadership?

For further comment, see House Minority Leader Merle Boucher's comments below in an editorial to the state's largest newspapers.

Ode to the freshmen

It's not too often freshmen of any sort get a lot of praise. Well, I can tell you our freshmen Democratic-NPL legislators deserve many accolades.

Guidance from our great veteran legislators led to our freshmen making sure their voice was heard this legislative session. Some of their big issues were: college tuition, education, property tax relief, renewable energy and Worker's Safety and Insurance reform. Many of these issues they campaigned on. They fulfilled their pledges by being vociferous and introducing many bills.

This leads to another point. We need 15 representatives and three senators to gain the majority in the Legislature in 2008. It can be done. The potential slate of legislative candidates need your support during their 2008 run for office.

With your help in 2006, we elected 13 new Democrats to the Legislature. Eighteen is an attainable goal in 2008, especially the way this session unfolded.

More on Republican gridlock

Via the Jamestown Sun's Web site...

Republican gridlock slows process, actions embarassing
Rep. Merle Boucher; Rolette, The Jamestown Sun

Intra–party gridlock within the ranks of the Republican legislative majority has slowed the progress of the 60th Legislative Assembly like molasses in January.

Their actions have become a public sideshow and an absolute embarrassment toward the institutional process of representative government.

Wrangling between the Republican caucuses in the House and Senate for political supermajority has gotten out of control.

From the very beginning of this session, the overt political gamesmanship played out by the two majority leaders created numerous and interesting confrontations between their caucuses.

As we progressed through the session, the competitive rivalries between the Republican appropriations chairs added a lot more color to the political sideshow.

All of this culminated Friday evening when the Senate killed Senate Bill 2015, the Office of Management and Budget appropriations bill. The action was an obvious ‘we can poke you in the eye’ message to House Republicans. Simply put, it was an action of “we’re doing this because we can.” It was quite unfortunate that things had to go down that way.

Read on...

More Republican gridlock in the House

Via the Associated Press...

Plan for income, property tax cuts walloped in ND House

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- North Dakota's property tax stalemate continued in the Legislature, with the state House walloping a tax-cutting plan that took a group of legislative negotiators a weekend to work out.

Representatives voted 75-17 on Tuesday night to defeat the proposal. It allowed North Dakotans to deduct 10 percent of their property tax bills from their income tax returns during the next two years.

The legislation also included income tax breaks for married couples and an expansion of a tax credit that benefits low-income North Dakotans.

Read on...

Rove under investigation

Via CNN's Web site...

Agency investigating Rove's political operation

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A small federal agency responsible for safeguarding federal employees from political coercion has launched an extensive investigation into the activities of the White House's political operation and its architect, Karl Rove.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is looking into whether Rove -- President Bush's longtime trusted political strategist -- or other White House aides violated federal law by making political presentations to government employees in the run-up to last year's midterm elections.

"We will do a thorough job. We will not leave any stone unturned," said Scott Bloch, a Kansas lawyer appointed by Bush to head the agency in 2003. "We will be fair, we will be impartial, and we will be thorough."

Bloch confirmed that Rove will be a focus of his investigation.

"Mr. Rove is a respected individual in the White House, and we plan to do our job with professionalism," he said.

Read on...

News from headquarters

The 2007 Legislative Session is coming to an end, and it's been a marathon up at the state Capitol for the past week. Many legislators spent the weekend in Bismarck fleshing out the final details on many bills. Last night, the House went into session at 8 p.m. That's burning the midnight oil compared to legislators' regular schedules.

Many of the most high profile bills have come out of conference committees and are getting final approval or disapproval on the floor of both chambers.

As I was sitting in the Senate watching the floor debate on Senate Bill 2200 (education funding) and the House debate on House Bill 1015 yesterday (state penitentiary), I really was reminded of what it means to be a Democrat.

During the debate on SB 2200, Democratic-NPL senators made sure folks knew our party adamantly supports K-12 education. In every floor speech, I heard the words adequacy and equity used, meaning we need to properly fund our schools. We need to properly fund them wherever they are - rural and urban. And they reminded the public that education is an investment in our state's future.

On the House side, the debate over a new state penitentiary got a little heated. However, Dem-NPL legislators took on the Republicans with no holds barred. Rep. Pam Gulleson, D-Rutland, pointed out that six weeks ago House Republicans were urgently trying to get funding for a new prison. Now, they want to stash $41 million away for future corrections projects. That's a lot of loot! Rep. Joe Kroeber, D- Jamestown, pointed out that most of the buildings in the state penitentiary complex are less than 30-years-old. Basically, a whole new prison is not necessary right now.

All along, our priorities have been investing in families and communities. Republican priorities seem to be building prisons, slush funds for rogue state agencies and taking the teaching requirement away from the superintendent of public schools. At least that's what's been in the papers lately.

Republican soap opera

The tension is thick in the House Republican caucus. Last night, there was a contentious floor debate between House Majority Leader Rick Berg, R-Fargo, and Rep. Bob Martinson, R-Bismarck.

It pertained to switching a Republican conference committee member. Berg spoke in favor of a motion to switch the member then Martinson spoke against it. House Minority Leader Merle Boucher, D-Rolette, then gave commentary. Boucher basically said he's sick of how the Republicans are running the show. Berg then made the motion for a vote to switch the member. A vote was taken. Berg's proposal went down. After the drama, Berg got up and left his post on the floor.

No wonder why this will probably go down as the longest legislative session in modern times. Republican soap operas have been acted out for about half this session. It's led to much legislative gridlock.

Dorgan Secures $3.5 Billion Agriculture Disaster Package in U.S. House-Senate Conference Committee

Via Sen. Dorgan's Web site...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- As a member of the U.S. House-Senate conference committee, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) worked to secure a $3.5 billion agriculture disaster package that the U.S. House-Senate conference committee approved Monday as part of the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.

Dorgan pushed for this agriculture disaster package to help family farmers and ranchers who have been hit by weather-related disasters in the last three years.

“We are now one step closer to bringing some help to our family farmers and ranchers,” said Dorgan. “It is now up to President Bush to join us in helping family farmers and ranchers who have lost their crops and livestock as a result of weather-related disasters. I hope he will drop his previous opposition and join us in supporting this provision.”

Dorgan, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, worked to include an agriculture disaster package in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill that passed the Senate on March 29, 2007.

On two prior occasions Dorgan has steered an agriculture disaster package through the Senate Appropriations Committee and the full Senate. Each time, House Republican leaders in the previous Congress, acting at the behest of the President, blocked it. Dorgan worked with Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and others in constructing the farm disaster plan.

GF Herald questions Republican priorities

Via the GF Herald's Web site...

OUR OPINION : Too much cushion, too little use
North Dakota House leaders should ease up on their hard-line insistence on a $400 million budget reserve.
Tom Dennis for the GF Herald
Published Sunday, April 22, 2007

To budget is to choose, and as the final days of the North Dakota legislative session approach, House leaders have chosen: Their priority is setting aside $400 million in rainy-day funds. All other budget decisions are being driven by that goal.

But that bottom-line choice looks more and more like a mistake - one that'll hurt UND, among other state operations. House leaders - notably, Rep. Ken Svedjan, R-Grand Forks, the appropriations committee chair - should consider relaxing their stance and accepting, say, a $360 million reserve, which still would be by far the biggest cushion in North Dakota history.
Among many other reasons, the state's growing economy makes a $360 million reserve seem like a safe bet.

When Gov. John Hoeven released his executive budget recommendation in December, it featured a $400 million-plus reserve. But conditions typically evolve over the course of a legislative session, and this session has been no exception. Unforeseen needs arise, such as the need to build a new North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon, N.D. In order to take advantage of a federal matching grant, lawmakers voted earlier this month to help pay for the home's reconstruction.

So, the spending figure has gone up. But even so, lawmakers recently cemented Hoeven's original $400 million budget reserve: They doubled the “budget stabilization fund” to $200 million and set another $200 million off-limits in the oil tax trust fund.

Well, maybe “cemented” isn't quite the right word, because House leaders seem to want to hold firm on that $400 million number, while the Senate is more inclined to pare it down.

Read on...

Dem-NPL senator drafting WSI amendment

Senator Tracy Potter (D-35 Bismarck) wants each member of the Board of WSI to face re-appointment this year under a new set of procedures. The freshman Dem-NPL Senator offered that as an amendment Friday to HB 1460, the remaining WSI bill in conference committee.

Potter said that the problems at WSI highlight the need for review of the Board of Directors at the state agency. "The Board is clearly not doing an adequate job. They have allowed serious problems to fester. Rather than address the questionable - and now indictable - actions of the executive director, they have repeatedly attacked the messengers. They see politics everywhere except in their own board room."

Potter said that his amendment would not mean that the board would be fired, but would mean each member would need to go through the process of being reappointed.

"We haven’t been able to achieve the kind of changes we wanted at WSI in this Session," said Potter. "But this would at least allow the business community and the Governor to review the current board and evaluate whether or not these guys are doing their jobs."

More Republican arrogance of power

Via The Forum's Web site...

Forum Editorial: Other shoe drops in WSI mess
The Forum
Published Friday, April 20, 2007

As the other shoe drops in the saga of North Dakota’s workers’ compensation agency, we’re reminded of the infamous three monkeys with hands over ears, eyes and mouth. The most common interpretation of the “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” icon describes persons who turn a willing blind eye to immorality, illegality or other wrongdoing in which they might be involved.

Count Rep. Frank Wald, R-Dickinson, N.D., Rep. George Keiser, R-Bismarck, N.D., and Workforce Safety & Insurance board chairman Robert Indvik of Bottineau, N.D., as doing a passable imitation of the three monkeys. For that matter, the North Dakota Legislature’s Republican caucuses have been doing the monkey bit with regard to the management mess at WSI.

The “other shoe” was the announcement Wednesday by Burleigh County State’s Attorney Richard Riha that WSI head Charles “Sandy” Blunt was charged with two counts of felony misapplication of entrusted property and one felony count of conspiring to disclose confidential information. WSI’s fraud unit director Romi Leingang was charged with conspiring with Blunt to disclose confidential information.

The charges come just weeks after state auditors concluded – and reported to the Legislature – that some of WSI’s actions had been illegal or highly improper. The majority Republicans in the Legislature kissed off the findings and impugned the credibility of the professional auditors in the State Auditor’s Office.

Read on...

Democratic-NPL Legislators Call for WSI Reform

(BISMARCK) The recent developments involving felony charges filed against Charles “Sandy” Blunt, the CEO of Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI), have resulted in many requests from the public for a delayed bill from Democratic-NPL legislators to fix WSI.

Democrats have introduced several pieces of legislation to reform WSI, and they were killed on party-line votes by the Republican Party.

Today at a news conference, they illustrated several pieces of legislation introduced.

“We want to point out, we have fought on this issue all session, but we are the minority party,” Sen. Joel Heitkamp said. “We do not have the numbers to pass or kill any piece of legislation.”

At this late point in the session, it is nearly impossible for a minority party to pass a delayed bill that would be substantial. Because of this, Democratic-NPL legislators called for Governor John Hoeven, the leader of his party, to encourage Republican members of the North Dakota state Legislature to introduce WSI reform legislation.

As the citizens of North Dakota have witnessed these past years, WSI is in desperate need of reform. Workforce related injuries are not partisan issues. They occur every day across the state. Therefore, legislation intended to help these workers should not fall victim to partisan politics. Governor Hoeven has a unique opportunity today. He is the leader of his party, and has a chance to make a real difference in the lives of all workers across our state.

Rogue state agency...

Via The Forum's Web site...

WSI head to battle charges
By Janell Cole, Forum Communications Co.

BISMARCK – Charles “Sandy” Blunt, head of the state workers compensation agency, was charged Wednesday with two counts of felony misapplication of entrusted property and one count of conspiring to disclose confidential information.

But his employers, the board of Workforce Safety and Insurance, capped the day with a brief meeting in which they ridiculed the charges as “inaccurate, to say the least,” and announced that they stood behind Blunt.

While predicting the charges would soon be dismissed, the board nevertheless voted 7-2 to put Blunt on paid leave while the case is pending.

Burleigh County State’s Attorney Richard Riha announced the charges Wednesday morning. A second person, WSI fraud unit director Romi Leingang, is charged with conspiring with Blunt to disclose confidential information.

Read on...

Jamie Selzler's news from headquarters

I've spent quite a bit of time on the road over the last few weeks visiting Democrats from across the state and wanted to fill you in on the level of excitement I'm seeing everywhere.

Democrats have been heartened to see Dem-NPLers in the Legislature working so hard to advocate for North Dakotans during this session. I often get asked questions about why the Governor's own "Jesse Ventura property tax relief plan" failed. They've also been asking about the purely political maneuver to change state law so that an unqualified person can lead our state's education system. More than anything, I've been asked about why it is that Republicans in the Legislature didn't get the message sent by voters last year. That message: fund education properly.

My response to those questions is that we can be proud of what our Democratic-NPL legislators are doing. We can be proud of their priorities. We can be glad that they fought a brand new $85 million dollar prison in what could have been the most outrageous land grab deal we've seen in years. This session is simply coming down to competing priorities. Democrats have focused on investing in education, bringing down property taxes, and making North Dakota a good place to live for everyone. The Republicans have not. State Senator Carolyn Nelson says it best when she tells me "We want to invest in people. They want to invest in things." We should be proud of Carolyn and all of our Dem-NPL legislators.

As I said, I've spent some time on the road. Last Wednesday, State Chairman David Strauss and I held a meeting with Democrats from the Fargo area. We saw quite a few people there from District 44, where they are ramping up and getting excited to win some seats next year. We also appreciated seeing some folks making the drive up from District 26 for the meeting. On Thursday, we held a similar meeting in Grand Forks, where Districts 18 and 42 were well-represented. They're already deep into candidate recruitment and planning for next year's election! Later that night, I was able to attend a UND University Democrats meeting. We have a huge number of young, excited Democrats on the UND campus, and they're ready to help take back the Senate and House next year. On Friday, Congressman Pomeroy and Chairman David Strauss announced that Grand Forks will be hosting the 2008 State Convention, the first Dem-NPL Convention held in Grand Forks since 1982. This is a great thing for our Party and for Grand Forks, and I can't wait to show off my home over the last 10 years to my Democratic friends from around the state.

As I travel around the state, I see a level of excitement and anticipation even greater than we had in last year's campaign. 2008 is going to be a great year for Democrats!

Dorgan Sponsors Bill to Increase Nation’s Energy Efficiency

Via a news release from Sen. Dorgan's office...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and a bi-partisan group of senior members of the Senate, including the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, introduced legislation Tuesday to save energy by improving the efficiency of how Americans use energy.

"Increasing energy efficiency is the most over-looked of all the areas when it comes to working our way to greater national energy security," Dorgan said. "Yet we can save tremendous quantities of energy with just minor adjustments in how we use it, if we set some national goals and work together to achieve them."

The legislation promotes advanced lighting technologies, expedites new energy efficiency standards, and promotes high efficiency vehicles, advanced batteries and energy storage.

It also sets aggressive national goals for reducing gasoline usage, and re-authorizes weatherization assistance programs.

Read on...

News from headquarters

The 2008 Democratic-NPL National Convention Delegate Selection Plan is now available for public review and feedback.

The plan, which can be found on the Democratic-NPL Web site by clicking here, has details about the process by which interested persons can become delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The release of the Delegate Selection Plan begins a 30-day time period for public comment and review. Contact information is available on the Dem-NPL Web site.

Legislative marathon?

Sources have been telling me for the last week that the 2007 Legislative Session might set a new all-time length record. By law, legislators need to finish in 80 days. I’ve been told that’s next Thursday.

Interestingly enough, I found an Associated Press story discussing the longest North Dakota legislative sessions in “modern times.”

The article contained some very curious facts. Three of the four longest sessions were all under Republican leadership in both chambers of the Legislature. Also, John Hoeven was the acting governor. One of the sessions had to be called back because of budget disputes. Special sessions are never popular.

The fourth session mentioned, Republicans controlled just the House, but former Republican Gov. Ed Schafer was the state’s chief executive officer.

Still work to do

Here’s a brief rundown of the major legislation left for lawmakers to work on:

Property taxes: You will see some movement in the next few days on Senate Bill 2032, the last standing property tax bill. Last week, conservative Republicans insisted on adding caps back to this bill and a tax cut to mainly benefit the wealthiest North Dakotans. Sources tell me that the Republicans don’t have the votes to pass the bill with those amendments. According to the Associated Press, it will go back to the House Finance and Tax Committee today for a new set of amendments.

School finance: After 41 North Dakota rural school superintendents recently sent out a statement regarding SB 2200, changes were made by a conference committee to boost rural school and transportation funding. Sources tell me this bill will hit the House floor soon.

Higher education: It’s been reported that House Republican leadership wants to cut $7 million out of the governor’s higher education budget. A higher education official “said the changes threaten the university system’s ability to furnish well-prepared workers necessary for the state’s vitality.” (The Forum, 4/14/07)

Prison construction: Republicans in the House want to build a new prison for a supposed $85 million. Republicans in the Senate want to squirrel away $42 million for undisclosed corrections spending. Who knows where this one will end up.

Democratic-NPL Announces Release of 2008 Democratic National Convention Delegate Selection Plan

Bismarck -- Chad Nodland, chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Affirmative Action Committee, announced today that the 2008 Democratic-NPL National Convention Delegate Selection Plan is available for public review and feedback.

The plan, which can be found on the Dem-NPL website at: http://www.demnpl.com, details the process by which interested persons can become delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The release of the Delegate Selection Plan begins a 30-day time period for public comment and review. The public is welcome to share their written comments with the North Dakota Democratic-NPL in the following ways:

E-mail: jms@demnpl.com
Fax: 701-255-7823
Mail: North Dakota Democratic-NPL
1902 East Divide Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501

Once the 30-day public comment and review period has ended, the Democratic-NPL state Policy Committee will review all information and send the plan to the Democratic National Committee for final review and approval.

To see the plan, click here.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Announces Grand Forks as 2008 Convention Site

GRAND FORKS - Congressman Earl Pomeroy and Democratic-NPL Chairman David Strauss, joined by representatives from the city of Grand Forks, the Alerus Center, Canad Inns and the Convention & Visitors Bureau, announced today that Grand Forks has been chosen as the site for the 2008 state Democratic-NPL convention.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our convention to Grand Forks,” Pomeroy said. “Grand Forks has come back from the devastating 1997 flood in a remarkable way, and we’re proud to showcase that to our friends from across the state next year.”

The convention, which will be held April 4-6, 2008, will bring about 800 delegates from across the state to Grand Forks. It has been estimated that the convention will have around a $200,000 economic impact on the area.

The Alerus Center is hosting the convention, and the Canad Inns will serve as the convention’s lodging.

Specific details regarding the convention, including names of members of the organizing committee and keynote speakers, will be released when available.

Grand Forks last hosted a Democratic-NPL convention in 1982.

News from headquarters

Yesterday, I sat in on a House Finance and Tax Committee meeting regarding the last big property tax bill, Senate Bill 2032. It would give $80 million in property tax relief. Sounds OK, right? Wrong.

Republicans amended the bill to bring the 3.5 percent mill levy caps back as well as a marriage penalty tax reduction. Both aren’t very productive for long-term property tax relief. The two amendments will be heard on the House floor today.

Local governments have harshly criticized state-mandated caps for many reasons, and here’s why:

-If Republicans want mill levy caps, then they better find the money to fund schools and local governments from somewhere else.

-What do caps do for long-term property tax relief? If the caps expire, local governments may have to raise property taxes dramatically again to make up for the effects.

-How do caps help with solving the K-12 education funding problem?

-Some districts are already capped out because of size. How are they supposed to cut down on spending when budgets are already extremely tight?

-Natural disasters happen frequently in North Dakota. What happens if funds run out because of storm cleanup, etc.?

Now on to the other amendment.

First of all, I don’t know one Democrat that is against marriage. However, this amendment to reduce the marriage penalty tax has a fiscal note of $16.1 million, mostly going to the wealthiest North Dakotans. Married couples making less than $50,000 would see an average reduction of 55 cents. Sounds like a George W. Bush tax reduction plan to me.

Republican Reps. Wes Belter and Dave Weiler called the marriage penalty tax reduction “family friendly.” Heck, I think we’re all family friendly. Here’s a thought though: Both of them voted against a tax break for childcare (SB 2215), a college tuition freeze (HB 1521), a college fund for students (HB 1518), and increasing healthcare for poor children (HB 1047). Along with them, most of their caucus voted against these bills. You know, giving tax breaks to the wealthiest North Dakotans and ignoring many of us sure is “family friendly.” Sounds like another backward priority to me.

I don’t know about you, but I thought we were trying to give property tax relief to all property owners in North Dakota this session with no strings attached. Republicans have tried to distort that goal with proposals for more state government control and tax cuts for the wealthiest North Dakotans.

Does more government and misplaced tax cuts sound familiar? George W. Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress created the most government in the history of the United States. They also gave huge tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans in a time of war, which put the country in terrible financial standing. Are North Dakota Republicans following that lead?

Dorgan: New Homestead Act Seeks to Stem Population Loss in Rural Areas

Via a news release from Sen. Dorgan's office...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) introduced legislation Thursday to provide new tools to rural areas seeking to halt chronic out-migration, or population loss, and economically revitalize rural communities.

The bi-partisan legislation known as the “New Homestead Act” is co-sponsored by Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Norm Coleman (R-MN), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

Over the past fifty years, nearly two-thirds of rural counties in the Great Plains lost at least one third of their population, Dorgan said. In North Dakota, the problem shows no signs of slowing -- 47 of the state’s 53 counties lost population between 2000 and 2005.

Chronic population losses drain a community of its work force, customer base and capital, making it difficult to attract new business and industries and to retain those already located in the community. Demographers predict that, left unchecked, such population losses and the problems they create will only continue and accelerate.

According to one expert, Dr. Richard Rathge of the North Dakota State Data Center, such losses have reduced the number of young people who make up the bulk of North Dakota’s work force. He recently predicted that between 2000 and 2020, the number of North Dakotans aged 34 to 54 will decline from 183,434 to 146,717, a loss of nearly 37,000 people. By 2020, Rathge projected, there could be more North Dakotans age 65 and older than those in their prime working years.

Dorgan’s legislation would offer people willing to commit to live and work in high out-migration rural areas for at least five years a number of financial incentives to help them buy a home, pay for college, build a nest egg and start a business. Among those incentives:

Repaying up to $10,000 of a college loan;

A $5,000 tax credit for the purchase of a new home;

Home value protection, by allowing losses in home value to be deducted from federal incomes taxes;

Establishment of Individual Homestead Accounts (IHA) that help people build savings and gain access to credit;

Tax credits and venture capital to attract and grow businesses located in high out-migration rural counties.

The U.S. Senate has previously adopted parts of the New Homestead Act, but those provisions were not signed into law. Dorgan said he’s hopeful the legislation can be enacted in the 110th Congress. He noted the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution, which the Senate adopted in March, includes provisions which anticipate a number of New Homestead Act proposals being enacted into law.

News from headquarters

Today, I’m going to switch to national news in this column. Sen. Byron Dorgan will be a guest on CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" at 5 p.m. He'll discuss U.S. trade policy. Also, I received an email from the Democratic National Committee the other day outlining achievements by the new Democratic-led Congress in their first 100 days. Here’s a portion of it:

In its first 100 days, the achievements of the new Democratic-led Congress include passing:

• The most sweeping ethics reform package since the post-Watergate era

• A package to restore civility and bipartisanship to the legislative process

• Tough pay-as-you-go budget rules to restore fiscal responsibility

• The six “100-Hour” bills that make immediate progress for the American people

• A Continuing Resolution for FY 2007 that cleaned up the budget mess that Republicans had left (with 9 out of 11 spending bills undone), prevented the government from closing, eliminated earmarks for one year, and invested in critical priorities such as education and veterans’ health care

• Historic provisions that provide a new direction in Iraq – requiring accountability from the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government and setting a date certain, by August 2008 at the latest, for U.S. combat troops to be redeployed from Iraq

• A fiscally responsible budget that reaches balance in five years and invests in the right priorities

In the November election, the American people in November demanded a new policy in Iraq. On March 23, the Democratic-led House listened to the American people and provided that new direction – passing the landmark U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act. The President’s Iraq policies offer only an open-ended commitment to a war without end. By contrast, this bill holds the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government accountable and sets a responsible timeline for the phased redeployment of U.S. troops – with a date certain, by August 2008 at the latest, for U.S. combat troops to be redeployed from Iraq.

This bill also:

• Ensures that U.S. troops in the field have all of the resources that they require;

• Provides more than the President requested for the troops and their families, including more for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for troops in Iraq and more for military housing;

• Provides more than the President requested to improve health care for our wounded troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and for our veterans;

• Helps to begin rebuilding our military, by providing $2.5 billion to address the serious military readiness crisis of our stateside troops – to help ensure they are equipped and trained; and re-focuses the fight against terrorism by directing more resources than the President requested to the war against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

News from headquarters

Yesterday, House Bill 1319 was passed again in the House. It should now go to the governor for his signature. The bill, known as the ‘shoot the burglar bill,’ ‘castle doctrine,’ ‘shoot your neighbor bill,’ or whatever your fancy, was toned down quite a bit when it hit the Senate Natural Resources Committee after barely passing the House.

The bill prompted much debate this session and probably initiated the best quote too. Remember Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, saying this:

“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.”

Who can forget that? It even hit Newsweek.

Priorities

Probably the biggest political issues this legislative session revolve around priorities.

There’s been a bunch of stories in these news briefs lately discussing priorities of Republican legislators. Monday, most Senate Republicans voted to kill a pre-kindergarten program. Last week, many House Republicans voted for an unnecessary slush fund for Worker’s Safety and Insurance. Many Republican priorities this session seem to be: building prisons, tax cuts for oil companies, bills to shoot people, taking away the teacher requirement of the superintendent of public instruction and a slush fund for WSI.

Juxtapose those with the priorities of Democratic-NPL legislators, and there’s a world of difference. This session, Democrats have worked hard for: property tax relief, education funding, tuition relief, renewable energy and reform at WSI.

Which party would you rather support?

Public upset over Republican arrogance

Via the Bismarck Tribune...

Superintendent change faces challenge
By JONATHAN RIVOLI, Bismarck Tribune

A proposal to repeal a longstanding law that requires North Dakota's state superintendent to be a certified teacher resulted in one of the most bitterly partisan fights of the 2007 legislative session.

Over Democratic objections, Republicans pushed the repeal through both chambers on party-line votes. Gov. John Hoeven signed it last week.

But the fight is far from over. In fact, if Mandan businessman Paul Wilkins has anything to do with it, it has just begun.

Wilkins is the main force behind an effort to get an initiated constitutional measure on the 2008 ballot that would add the teaching requirement to North Dakota's Constitution. If it prevails, the effort would supersede the Legislature's actions starting with the 2012 election.

"I am really upset with this situation and don't think it's good for education," Wilkins said.

Read on...

Red State North Dakota Passes Peace Resolution

By Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo,

I've been told that some Americans can't find North Dakota on the map. We can be considered backward, which while untrue, is like some of the folks in the movie "Fargo."

Our Legislature recently passed North Dakota's own Peace Resolution, a progressive piece of legislation which has thrived in this red state. The resolution calls for the pursuit of peace in Iraq and Afghanistan. It voices support for our troops, urging their return with or without a successful conclusion of their efforts.

The secrets to our success:

1) Public opinion in North Dakota disapproves of the escalation of war in Iraq.

2) The resolution had bipartisan sponsorship.

3) North Dakota's peace community rallied around the resolution with all their force and grace.

4) The military community was welcomed as allies in the mutual goal of supporting our troops.

Some of my colleagues argued that the language could have been stronger. Yes - the resolution could have set a timeline for withdrawal or addressed specific foreign policy. I am pleased with the outcome of this process, however. We made it as challenging as we could for risk-averse legislators to vote their conscience and their hope -- peace in the Middle East.

In my twenty years as a senator, I have never heard the word peace with such frequency in the legislative halls. This is better than a good start. In the Peace Garden State, this may be the least that we will do.

-Sen. Tim Mathern

More on Hoeven/Fong property tax rebates

Via The Forum's Web site...

Sen. Arden Anderson, D-Wahpeton, N.D. letter: Jesse Ventura-type rebates not for N.D.
The Forum
Published Sunday, April 08, 2007

Increased state funding of schools and property tax relief are the main two issues to be addressed by the North Dakota Legislature in 2007. There have been many proposals and a few are still alive as the Legislature moves toward its final weeks.

I would like to address an amendment being considered for one of the proposals.

House Bill 1051, which will eventually come to the Senate for a vote, has been on hold a couple of weeks. That is the one with proposed Jesse Ventura-type rebates, caps on mill levies, etc. When the Senate held hearings before the Finance and Tax Committee, there was overwhelming testimony by local officials opposing caps.

When the bill is heard by the full Senate, Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, will be offering an amendment that has merit. It will rewrite the entire bill and provide that the $116 million appropriation be split three ways: 1) $80 million for school per-pupil funding, 2) $16 million for low-income homestead credit property tax relief, and 3) $20 million for state aid for counties and cities.

When schools receive additional state monies, they will be able to drop their mill levies. This is property tax relief.

Read on

News from headquarters

Yesterday, your Democratic-NPL legislative leaders sent a letter to Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann. It inquired about two Ohio agents coming to North Dakota to meet with Workforce Safety and Insurance Chief Executive Officer Sandy Blunt about a criminal investigation. The letter also discussed the current situation with WSI.

As you may already know, Blunt is from Ohio. Before taking the job in North Dakota, he was the chief operations officer for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Between a recent coin investment scandal and a damning state auditor’s report, BWC has been reeling from corrupt and improper practices for months. The findings of the Ohio auditor’s report go back to June, 2004, according to the Toledo Blade. Blunt still worked for BWC in 2004.

Here are the first two paragraphs of the letter:

We are writing with regards to North Dakota’s Workers’ Compensation System, the problems we are facing and the overwhelming similarities to the struggles your state experienced on this issue. As you may be aware, our Executive Director of Workforce Safety & Insurance Charles “Sandy” Blunt was chief operations officer for the Ohio Workers’ Compensation Agency before accepting the North Dakota position in April 2004. While Mr. Blunt worked in Ohio, he supervised Terrence Gasper, the former chief financial officer of the Ohio system who has pled guilty to charges of money laundering and failing to report gifts.

In Mr. Blunt’s short tenure in North Dakota, WSI has been subject to two independent audits that have detailed many of the same problems that Ohio has experienced. This is of grave concern to the people of our state. Recently, Republican State Auditor Robert Peterson released his office’s performance audit report on WSI. What the audit showed were abuses ranging from favoritism, low morale and the unlawful use of its own fraud department to retaliate against its own employees.

The letter later says:

Mr. Attorney General, we know we are “preaching to the choir,” but we want you to be aware of the problems North Dakota is facing with our own workers’ compensation system – being led by one of Ohio’s own - and the overwhelming similarities to what happened in your state. Further, we understand two Ohio agents were recently in North Dakota to meet with Mr. Blunt regarding a criminal investigation. From one elected official to another, we would appreciate any insight you can lend to our situation or to the ongoing criminal investigations. Your expertise on this matter is invaluable.

Happy Easter

Have a good weekend everyone! Drive safe. See you on Monday.

News from headquarters

I would urge you to read this morning’s editorials by The Forum and Grand Forks Herald below.

They regard the $50,000 “slush fund” for Workforce Safety and Insurance that Rep. Frank Wald, R-Dickinson, lobbied for. On the House floor Tuesday, Wald spoke in favor of WSI’s current dismal situation. So did Reps. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, and George Keiser, R-Bismarck.

The slush fund was approved, because every House Republican voted for it except one. They have a supermajority in the House. What does that tell you?

This “triumvirate” of Republicans have supported WSI in committee time and time again. They’ve ignored $18,300 in questionable spending, they’ve blown off unethical behavior by WSI’s management and they’ve rejoiced over the fact that WSI’s permanent disability payments have gone down while they have over $1 billion in their coffer.

Here’s what The Forum had to say about the situation:

“The arrogance of power got Republicans in the U.S. Congress in deep trouble. Voters expressed their displeasure in last November’s election. It appears the majority party in the North Dakota Legislature, which lost seats in the last election, is heading down the same path.”

Arrogance of power - that’s what I’ve been calling the Republican attitude in this legislative session for months. I’m a newcomer witness to the North Dakota Legislature. This is the first session I’ve been able to walk the halls of our state Capitol. All I can say is The Forum hit the nail on the head with today’s editorial.

Also, Ed Schultz just pointed out on "News and Views" that House Republicans can give a slush fund to a rogue state agency, but there's been no property tax relief yet. How's that for priorities? Sheesh!

More Republican arrogance

Via The Forum's Web site...

Forum Editorial: Legislature in denial about WSI
The Forum
Published Thursday, April 05, 2007

North Dakota’s workers’ compensation agency, Workforce Safety and Insurance, seems to have appropriated the Republican caucus of the Legislature as a wholly owned subsidiary.

WSI, a troubled agency that needs a house-cleaning, not only has been able to dodge bullets fired by critical performance audits and criminal investigations, but also has wrested goodies from the Legislature in the form of $50,000 to fund “morale-building programs.” The morale problems, by the way, were exposed by the audits, even as key Republican legislators did their best to undermine the credibility of the professional state auditors who delivered the bad news.