News from Headquarters

Happy Holidays to all of you! I hope this Holiday Season finds you well.

It's been a great year for Democrats throughout the country. The Democratically-controlled Congress has worked hard to give the country a new direction. Some Democratic presidential candidates are polling much higher than the Republican front-runners. Here in North Dakota, Democratic-NPL lawmakers worked hard this last legislative session to give folks property tax relief and fund K-12 education in a healthier manner. During the session, 13 new Democratic-NPL lawmakers were welcomed into the legislative assembly.

Now, onward to the 2008 election. Click here to see some items Democrats will work hard to improve when elected. It could be called a list of things for New Year's resolutions.

Usually I have more than one New Year's resolution. However, this year I think I'll just stick with working toward gaining Democratic-NPL majorities in North Dakota. It's time for the Republican arrogance of power to end in our state and for some real leadership in the state Capitol. A Democrat as president would be a good thing, too.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

More Republican Shenanigans

Via McClatchy Newspapers' Web site...

Official: Justice Dept. slowed probe into phone jamming
By Greg Gordon McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department delayed prosecuting a key Republican official for jamming the phones of New Hampshire Democrats until after the 2004 election, protecting top GOP officials from the scandal until the voting was over.

An official with detailed knowledge of the investigation into the 2002 Election-Day scheme said the inquiry sputtered for months after a prosecutor sought approval to indict James Tobin, the northeast regional coordinator for the Republican National Committee.

The phone-jamming operation was aimed at preventing New Hampshire Democrats from rounding up voters in the close U.S. Senate race between Republican Rep. John Sununu and Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen. Sununu's 19,000-vote victory helped the GOP regain control of the Senate.

While there were guilty pleas in the New Hampshire investigation prior to the 2004 presidential election, involvement of the national GOP wasn't confirmed. A Manchester, N.H., policeman quickly traced the jamming to Republican political operatives in 2003 and forwarded the evidence to the Justice Department for what ordinarily would be a straightforward case.

However, the official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, told McClatchy that senior Justice Department officials slowed the inquiry. The official didn't know whether top department officials ordered the delays or what motivated those decisions.

Read on...

News from Headquarters

The next Century Club reception is just around the corner.

The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10 at the home of Tim Purdon and Carmen Miller, 1234 E. Highland Acres Rd., Bismarck.

Congressman Earl Pomeroy will be the honored guest.

To RSVP please contact Kathi at Democratic-NPL Headquarters, (701) 255-0460 or kathi@demnpl.com.

Checks can be brought to the event or mailed to: Democratic-NPL Headquarters, 1902 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501.

These receptions are held throughout the year to encourage Century Club memberships. If you've never been to a Century Club reception, it's definitely worth going. It's a great opportunity to meet with fellow Democrats and to say hello to Democratic-NPL elected officials.

According to the Democratic-NPL Party's Web site:

The Century Club is the financial backbone of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. Through Century Club memberships, we are able to combine resources of thousands of Democrats to be used for legislative and statewide elections, grassroots party building and research operations at state headquarters.

Century Club memberships are very important to the Democratic-NPL Party. For more information on the Century Club or to make an online contribution, click here.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

Delegation Secures Funding to Boost North Dakota’s Economy

Via a news release by the congressional delegation...

Washington – Congress gave final approval Wednesday to a comprehensive appropriations bill that includes funding secured by U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy that will give a boost to North Dakota’s economy, improve the state’s transportation network, and bolster its role in maintaining the nation’s security.

The Omnibus Appropriations bill includes more than $228 million in federal funding to support a number of projects that are critical to North Dakota’s economy.

· The bill includes $65.9 million for improvements to Minot Air Force Base, Grand Forks Air Force Base and Camp Grafton that will support and expand North Dakota’s military missions.

· The Garrison Diversion project, which brings a safe water supply to rural communities around North Dakota, will receive an historic investment of $67.9 million – more than three times the annual amount the project has received in the past.

· The bill will also help improve roads around the state and support high-tech research and education at North Dakota’s public colleges and universities.

The congressional delegation also secured an extension of a disaster relief program that lends a hand to family farmers and ranchers who have been hit by weather-related disasters. The $622 million provision will ensure producers who were hit anytime in 2007 are covered by the agriculture disaster package the delegation secured earlier this year. Previously, producers were eligible only if they were affected before February 28, 2007.

“This bill represents a strong investment in North Dakota that will bring some relief to our farmers, support our troops, and give a boost to the Research Corridor,” said Senator Dorgan, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “We’ll start to see action in literally every corner of our state thanks to this legislation. The projects range from the construction of new roads and water lines that form the foundation of a community’s economy to exciting research that will raise the profile of our high-tech sector. But all of these projects will strengthen our economy and move our state forward.”

“In my 20 years in the Senate I have never been more proud of the work that has been accomplished for North Dakota. This bill represents a year of hard work and a complete team effort that will benefit families all across our state,” said Senator Conrad. “From the farmer in the field to the scientist in the laboratory to the Airman on the flightline, this bill is a big victory for all of North Dakota.”

“With this funding we are helping meet the unique needs of small towns and big cities alike across North Dakota,” Congressman Pomeroy said. “This bill invests in the future of our state by funding our most critical priorities, including improving our military bases, providing disaster aid for farmers, investing in our transportation infrastructure and upgrading our state’s water systems.”

The Omnibus Appropriations bill will now be sent to the President, who is expected to sign it.

Conrad: Key BOLD Provisions Signed into Law

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

Washington – Senator Kent Conrad released the following statement today in response to President Bush signing into law the 2007 Energy Bill that included key provisions from the BOLD Energy Act, Senator Conrad’s comprehensive blueprint for leading the nation to greater energy independence:

“Our nation has been addicted to foreign sources of energy for far too long. That addiction has come at a cost, both to our economic and national security.

“While this bill does not go as far as I would like to develop and promote domestic, renewable sources of fuel, it does make important initial investments. This energy bill is a good first step to a sustainable national energy policy. The key is to now build on this bill and incorporate more provisions from my BOLD energy proposal.

“Moving forward, I will do what I can to increase domestic energy production and bring even greater economic security to our nation.”

Provisions from Senator Conrad’s BOLD Act in the 2007 Energy Bill:

Senator Conrad’s BOLD Act required 30 billion gallons of renewable fuel use by 2025.

The bill signed by the President requires 36 billion gallons by 2022. Of that, 21 billion gallons will have to be advanced biofuels, produced from sources like the prairie grass native to North Dakota.

Like the BOLD Act, the Senate bill advances a long-term solution with research and development and demonstration programs for electric drive transportation technology.

Similar to the BOLD Act, the Senate bill also authorizes $80 million for research and development of lightweight vehicle materials that will boost both the safety and the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks.

As in the BOLD Act, the Senate bill instructs the Department of Energy to take the lead in planning how to modernize the nation’s electricity transmission grid in order to improve the capacity and security of the grid, avoid power shortages, and lower costs for consumers. A modernized grid would help bring North Dakota’s vast energy resources for sale to the rest of the country.

News from Headquarters

Two items in the news recently further the point that Gov. John Hoeven has some leadership issues.

Yesterday, The Forum ran a story regarding an appearance by former Workforce Safety and Insurance CEO Sandy Blunt on WDAY Radio Monday.

"The governor has not once been in that agency," Blunt said during the interview.

If Blunt is correct, it shows Hoeven has made little effort to investigate WSI's problems. With all the negative press the agency has received over the past year, one would think the governor would try to get behind the bullet proof glass (the agency has a one-inch thick piece of glass in front of the receptionist).

In addition, an Associated Press story by Kevin Freking has brought up an interesting issue:

Seven states, including North Dakota, have yet to participate in a federal program to buy antivirals for a potential influenza pandemic. Thirteen states do not have adequate plans to distribute vaccines and medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.

Gee, that's comforting.

When you look at these stories, it's no wonder property taxes and tuition have gone up exorbitantly during Hoeven's tenure. It's no wonder wages here are some of the lowest in the country. It's no wonder many North Dakotans have multiple jobs to make ends meet. It's no wonder the out-migration of young people continues to be a problem.

It's time for leadership in our state's Capitol. The 2008 election is right around the corner. You can be sure there will be many great Democratic-NPL candidates on the ticket. The choice is clear.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

Dorgan Bill to Prevent “Do not Call” List from Expiring Wins Senate Approval

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

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- Legislation by U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) to prevent a resumption of dinner time phone calls from telemarketers next year won approval from the full Senate late Monday.

As many as 145 million Americans, including 350,000 North Dakotans have signed onto the “Do Not Call” registry since it was created in 2003, but most are unaware their registration on the list will begin to expire after September 30, 2008, Dorgan said.

Dorgan’s bill would prevent the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from automatically expiring numbers and removing them from the registry without a specific request from the telephone owner.

When Congress established the “Do Not Call” registry in 2003, it quickly became one of the most popular consumer protection programs in history. Congress did not require automatic expiration of “Do Not Call” list registrations – that was an agency ruling.

“Congress intended that once you signed up for the ‘Do Not Call’ registry you were on it until you asked to be taken off,” Dorgan said. “That’s what this bill intends to re-establish. Without it, millions of Americans will either need to start re-registering on October 1, 2008, or get ready to hear their telephones ring during supper time again with unwanted, commercial solicitation calls.”

Dorgan said he expects the “Do Not Call Improvement Act of 2007” to quickly move to the White House for the President to sign into law.

More Weak Leadership from Hoeven

Via The Forum's Web site...

Report says some states not stocking up on flu medicines
By KEVIN FREKING
Associated Press Writer

Seven states, including North Dakota, have yet to participate in a federal program to buy antivirals for a potential influenza pandemic. Thirteen states do not have adequate plans to distribute vaccines and medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.

Those findings and others are part of a new report on how well states have prepared for public health emergencies. The report concluded that states have made significant progress since the terrorist and anthrax attacks in 2001. However, critical gaps remain.

Seven states performed adequately in each of the 10 categories that were measured, which earned them a score of 10 from the Trust for America's Health, a research group. The top scores went to Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia.

Read on...

News from Headquarters

I was sent a note a few weeks ago regarding an upcoming event at the University of North Dakota. It's about 10 months away, but is definitely worth putting on your radar screen right now. If you're into North Dakota history and politics, I would definitely check it out.

Here's the information from the email:

"The North Dakota Nonpartisan League in War and Peace: 1918."

Next year, 2008, marks the 90th Anniversary of the great electoral victory of the North Dakota Nonpartisan League (NPL) in 1918 -- in the teeth of war hysteria, red-baiting, and frequent violations of civil liberties.

In that year the NPL, composed mostly of ordinary farmers and ranchers, captured the Senate, which, along with their majorities in the House and the governorship allowed them to pass legislation leading to the state-owned bank in Bismarck, and grain mill and elevator in Grand Forks.

These state-owned enterprises are unique in the history of the American democracy and deserve to be explained in the context of world events of the time in much greater depth than has been the case.

Where: The University of North Dakota at Grand Forks

When: Thursday, Oct. 9 - Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008

Anyone interested should contact Charlie Barber by emailing cmcbarb@msn.com.

Here's a snapshot of the NPL's history from Buckshot Hoffner:

From statehood in 1889 to 1915, there was really only one party in power in North Dakota, and that was the Republican Party. They had complete control of the state House and Senate and the governor's office. In all that time, there were many progressive, liberal- thinking people in the Republican Party with little or no voice. These progressives were not only fed up, but just plain angry.

In 1916, this North Dakota group sold $16 memberships and started the Non-Partisan League. That year they had a convention, passed a platform and selected candidates, which they filed in the Republican column in the primary election. They elected Lynn J. Frazier governor and made gains in the Legislature. In his message to the Legislature, Governor Frazier asked that farmers and small businesses be allowed to pay their taxes in two increments of six months each, that interest rates be reduced, that women be given minimum wage and safer working conditions, that state employees be considered civil service, that rural schools be improved and the list goes on. The message was taken from the platform and adopted by the NPL.

In the 1918 election, the NPL took control of the North Dakota House and Senate and re-elected Governor Frazier. This amount of NPL control resulted in the establishment of the Bank of North Dakota, the State Mill and Elevator, a three-person Industrial Commission, state hail insurance, and many other programs.

As years went by, the NPL's control gradually eroded and the Republican money in the primaries was too much to overcome. In 1956, the NPL took a major step and filed its candidates in the Democratic column in the primary election.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

One of Mathern's Bold Ideas

Via the Bismarck Tribune's Web site...

Refining plans for N.D.
By JONATHAN RIVOLI
Bismarck Tribune

In the early 20th century, North Dakota farmers felt they were being abused by the moneyed interests in Minneapolis and Eastern cities. While the farmers worked their fields, they watched bankers and millers reap the real profits from afar.

Their solution: Petition the government to start a state-owned bank and a state-owned mill, to give local farmers a fairer shake.

Some 85 years later, gubernatorial candidate Tim Mathern is pitching a similar solution as the cure to a summer of soaring gasoline prices. Mathern, a Democratic state senator from Fargo, has pledged to spearhead the construction of a state oil refinery if he's elected next fall.

"This would be a big, bold step to help us use our oil resources to greater benefit North Dakota," he said.

Read on...

Senate Passes New Farm Bill

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

Washington – The United States Senate today passed a bipartisan Farm Bill by a wide margin, capping a months-long effort by Senator Kent Conrad to bring the legislation to final passage. The new 5-year bill reauthorizes programs for commodity support, conservation, nutrition, and new energy independence initiatives. The final vote was 79 to 14.

Few pieces of legislation are as important to North Dakota’s economy as the Farm Bill. Agriculture is the largest segment of North Dakota’s economy, representing more than $4 billion in direct economic activity. One of every five North Dakotans draws their living directly from farming or ranching.

“It has been a tough fight for this Farm Bill but the hard work has paid off,” said Senator Conrad, a senior member of the Agriculture Committee and one of the bill’s authors.

“We’ve now got a good bill for North Dakota and the nation. This bill makes major investments in America’s food and energy security — and does so without adding one cent to our nation’s deficit.”

Despite quick bipartisan approval in the Senate Agriculture Committee earlier this fall, partisan bickering dragged out debate before the full Senate. Senator Conrad served as the key negotiator between Democratic and Republican leaders and helped reach today’s vote on a new Farm Bill.

The bipartisan legislation builds on the success of the 2002 Farm Bill by improving commodity, nutrition and conservation efforts. It also creates a disaster program for family farmers and ranchers and fresh initiatives in new national priorities, such as energy independence.

Senators Conrad said he expects the Farm Bill to be signed by President Bush despite White House threats to veto the bill over its costs. Recent analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office concluded that the Administration’s Farm Bill proposal is more than $1 billion over the cost of the Senate version.

The Farm Bill now goes to a conference committee that will negotiate the differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the Farm Bill. Senator Conrad will be appointed to that conference committee.

News from Headquarters

A new report by the National Education Association cites North Dakota as next to last in teacher pay. The study looked at average public teacher pay from the 2005-06 school year in each state. North Dakota's average was $37,764, about $3,000 ahead of South Dakota.

Click here for the Associated Press article, and click here for the NEA report.

In 2000, teacher pay was a huge issue for Republican Gov. John Hoeven. He crooned then about bringing these salaries out of the doldrums. Well, I wonder if he was sincere. It's been seven years now of a Hoeven administration.

Also, Republicans have dominated the state Legislature for over a decade.

If this is to change, it's obvious Republicans aren't the folks you should be casting a ballot for in November, 2008.

Moreover, it's unfortunate wages as a whole are low in North Dakota. Click here for some of those figures. We also rank high in workers holding multiple jobs. Click here for those figures.

The new NEA report is troubling. Being second to last in teacher pay is nothing to brag about. It just adds to our reputation as being a low wage state.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

N.D. Teacher Pay Still Next to Last

Via KXMB's Web site...

State teachers still lowest paid
Associated Press

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) South Dakota has once again landed in last place for teacher salaries.

The National education Association says South Dakota teachers averaged $34,709 last year.

That was $10,000 below the national average.

North Dakota was second-to-last in teacher pay providing its teachers an average of $37,764 or about $3,000 more than those in South Dakota.

Read on...

The Forum Hits WSI Again

Via The Forum's Web site...

WSI continues reckless, stupid modus operandi
The Forum
Published Thursday, December 13, 2007

The interim director at North Dakota’s workers compensation agency – who apparently is no more than a stand-in for the old management – is continuing the bad ol’ ways that got Workforce Safety and Insurance in trouble in the first place. The latest stunt is to advise employees they need not talk to North Dakota Highway Patrol investigators, who are examining whether the agency retaliated against whistle-blower employees. If they do decide to cooperate, they should have a WSI lawyer sit in on the interviews, said an e-mail advisory from interim director John Halvorson.

What is it these people don’t get about arrogance and accountability? The conditions the agency has placed on WSI employees amount to intimidation. One whistle-blower, who was forced into paid leave after he talked to investigators, called the latest WSI maneuver “witness tampering.” That’s a fair description. At the very least, it’s a not-so-subtle attempt to hinder the investigation.

Read on...

News from Headquarters

President Bush has vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program again. The legislation would have strengthened the program by giving millions more children health care coverage they otherwise wouldn't have had.

Bush has also threatened to veto the farm bill - something very important to our state.

While Bush is busy vetoing bills, Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate are obstructing more legislation. They blocked a slew of non-controversial bills yesterday.

These Bush Republicans are playing politics with our future. Bush Republicans will stop at nothing to make sure they don't lose more seats next election. By obstructing legislation, they are trying to paint the Democratically-controlled Congress as do-nothing. Don't buy it.

Where are the priorities? Democratic priorities are focused on making America a better place. The Republican priority seems to only be obstruction. It's getting so bad they're earning the title "Grand Obstruction Party."

Is it for Real?

Yesterday, Rep. George Keiser, R-Bismarck, held a news conference about Workforce Safety and Insurance. He called for a review of some denied claims to injured workers. Hey, seems like a decent idea. But wait a minute. Is it sincere? House Democratic-NPL Leader Merle Boucher had some questions.

Here's part of Boucher's statement from yesterday:

"In regard to the substance of the news conference, I don't disagree with his proposals. However, I question the timing of this. Keiser had the opportunity during the last legislative session to make these proposals happen. There were many bills out there to fix problems at WSI. I should know - many Democratic-NPL legislators led that charge.

"Keiser chaired the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee. He could have taken that opportunity to put something in place for positive change. Unfortunately, he doesn't hold that authority right now.

"The Republican majority in the House passed a bill to give WSI a $50,000 slush fund. Why didn't Keiser put pressure on his fellow Republican colleagues for positive change instead?

"Like Gov. John Hoeven, where was Keiser during the last session and when disturbing audits were revealed? With Hoeven as leader of the North Dakota Republican Party and Keiser as a powerful Republican committee chair, influence should have been wielded then for positive change.

"The only reason Hoeven and Keiser are acting now is because they're on the hot seat."

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

P.S. Oh, by the way, the Iowa Democratic presidential debate will be on CNN at 1 p.m. Central Time today.

Dorgan Calls for ‘COP ON THE BEAT’ to Keep Speculation from Driving up Oil Prices

Via a news release from Sen. Dorgan’s office…

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- At a Senate hearing Tuesday, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said there is substantial evidence that rampant speculation in the futures markets has driven up oil prices as much as $30 per barrel above the price that current supply and demand would justify.

Dorgan and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) co-chaired a joint hearing today of the Senate Energy Subcommittee and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

The two senators heard from witnesses who alleged that speculative trading in the commodity exchanges by hedge funds, investment banks and others has pushed the price of oil far above that which is justified. Mr. Fadel Gheit, managing director and senior energy analyst at Oppenheimer & Co., said at the hearing there is no justification for the current price of oil to be above $55 per barrel.

Dorgan said excessive speculation by hedge funds and investment banks into these futures markets has driven up oil prices and has cost all Americans a substantial amount of money as they fill their gas tanks. All American consumers are feeling the pain of these price hikes, but people in rural states are hit the hardest, Dorgan said. The average North Dakotan uses twice as much gasoline as the average New Yorker, and therefore is hit twice as hard by the huge price increases.

Dorgan, Levin and other senators have introduced legislation to stop excessive speculation that drives up the price of commodities and would require oversight of large energy commodity traders by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

“The dramatic increase in the price of oil during the past year cannot be explained by supply and demand relationships,” Dorgan said. “It is speculative traders using legal loopholes to exploit their market power and they profit by driving oil prices higher and higher. I believe that’s wrong, and we need effective federal regulation to put a stop to it.”

GOP Presidential Candidates Not Favored

Via the NY Times' Web site...

Poll Finds G.O.P. Field Isn’t Touching Voters
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and MEGAN THEE
NY Times

Three weeks before the Iowa caucuses, Republican voters across the country appear uninspired by their field of presidential candidates, with a vast majority saying they have not made a final decision about whom to support, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

Not one of the Republican candidates is viewed favorably by even half the Republican electorate, the poll found. And in a sign of the fluidity of the race, former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, who barely registered in early polls several months ago, is now locked in a tight contest nationally with Rudolph W. Giuliani and Mitt Romney.

By contrast, Democrats are happier with their field and more settled in their decisions. For all the problems Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton appears to be having holding off her rivals in Iowa and New Hampshire, she remains strong nationally, the poll found. Even after what her aides acknowledge have been two of the roughest months of her candidacy, she is viewed by Democrats as a far more electable presidential nominee than either Senator Barack Obama or John Edwards.

Read on...

News from Headquarters

Yesterday, I received a holiday message from Hillary Clinton's campaign that I was asked to share with you.

Here's the entire message:

I am delighted to send greetings to each of you this holiday season! I appreciate your efforts on behalf of all Democratic candidates. North Dakota Democrats should be very proud of all they have accomplished.

The principles of the Democratic Party have never been more critical than they are today. We must repair the damage done by the current Administration to health care, education, the environment, national security, and our reputation in the world. We can and must do better. Please join me in restoring the promise of America.

I send my gratitude and my very best wishes to all of you. I hope to earn you support in the coming months ahead and I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail!

Sincerely yours,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

No matter which Democratic presidential candidate is officially chosen, they'll have a big job when they win. Clinton is right. Bush has severely damaged our country. Another Republican president is not the direction our country needs to be headed in.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

News from Headquarters

Sen. Kent Conrad made a stop in Bismarck Sunday to say hello to area Democrats. The District 32 Democratic-NPL sponsored the meet-up and brainstorming session.

Conrad spoke of the current federal budget and his role in passing a new farm bill.

He serves as chairman of the Senate's Budget Committee and has a seat on the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.

With President Bush and the prior Republican-controlled Congress running up record deficits and debt, he said he has a big job ahead. The federal budget debt is nearly $9 trillion.

However, there probably isn't a better person in the country to tackle the financial troubles Republicans have put our country in. Conrad is known as a "budget hawk" in our nation's capital. It's a very appropriate title.

Conrad also said he is optimistic the Senate will pass a farm bill by Christmas. He helped write the legislation.

Attending events like this gives a unique perspective on politics in Washington, D.C. Look for future event notices by the District 32 folks and other organizations throughout the state. There are plenty scheduled this winter. Click here for the events calendar on the party's Web site.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

Dickinson Press Weighs in on Blunt Severance Deal

Via the Dickinson Press' Web site...

Editorial -- Blunt’s severance package breaks state statutes
The Dickinson Press

Workforce Safety and Insurance board Chairman Bob Indvik of Bottineau told Forum Communications N.D. Capitol Bureau reporter Janell Cole Thursday that ousted WSI executive director and chief executive officer Sandy Blunt did nothing wrong and he “feels terrible” about voting to let him go.

Indvik said he saw Blunt at the WSI office about a half hour before the board met Thursday morning and told Blunt his employment status would be discussed. Blunt reportedly told Indvik he would agree to step aside, and then left the building for good.

So why then, should Blunt be the recipient of a healthy severance package that is estimated to be more than $140,000?

Under North Dakota Century Code 54-14-03.3 titled “Severance pay – Definitions – Settlements” subsection 2 reads as follows:

“Except as provided in subsection 3, no state employee or officer is entitled to severance pay upon termination of employment if the employee or officer quit employment voluntarily or resigned of the person’s own accord, or was dismissed for gross neglect of duty, gross misconduct while on duty, or for other good cause.”

Blunt reportedly told Indvik he would agree to step aside, so Blunt quit voluntarily or resigned on his own, as outlined in subsection 2 above.

Read on...

Military Families not Happy with Bush

Via the LA Times' Web site...

Bush loses ground with military families
By Faye Fiore, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- Families with ties to the military, long a reliable source of support for wartime presidents, disapprove of President Bush and his handling of the war in Iraq, with a majority concluding the invasion was not worth it, a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll has found.

The views of the military community, which includes active-duty service members, veterans and their family members, mirror those of the overall adult population, a sign that the strong military endorsement that the administration often pointed to has dwindled in the war's fifth year.

Nearly six out of every 10 military families disapprove of Bush's job performance and the way he has run the war, rating him only slightly better than the general population does.

And among those families with soldiers, sailors and Marines who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, 60% say that the war in Iraq was not worth the cost, the same result as all adults surveyed.

Read on...

Conrad Helps Broker Deal to Move Farm Bill Forward

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

Washington – Senator Kent Conrad helped negotiate a deal late last night that will allow the Senate to move forward on the Farm Bill after weeks of stalled negotiations. In light of the deal to limit debate on the national farm legislation, a vote on final passage could occur before Christmas.

“This agreement shows that, despite significant differences, my colleagues understand just how important passing this Farm Bill is to all Americans,” Senator Conrad said. “This is a strong bill for North Dakota and I am pleased that common sense prevailed and we can now move forward.”

After quick and overwhelming bipartisan approval in the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Farm Bill had been bogged down by partisan disputes in the Senate over how many amendments should be allowed on the bill.

The new agreement now calls for a maximum of 20 amendments each to be offered by Republicans and Democrats, paring down the more than 280 that were filed, many of which were unrelated to agriculture policy.

Senator Conrad — a senior member of the Agriculture Committee and one of the bill’s authors —had been negotiating with Democratic and Republican leaders in recent weeks to bridge the partisan divide and reach agreement.

The bipartisan legislation — which Senator Conrad helped shape — builds on the success of the 2002 Farm Bill and significantly improves commodity, nutrition, conservation and rural development programs. It also creates a disaster program for family farmers and ranchers and invests in new priorities, such as making America more energy independent.

Senator Conrad will detail the agreement for farmers, ranchers and business leaders at a meeting in the Mayville Senior Center Saturday at 3 pm.

Wefald to not run Again

Via The Forum's Web site...

Public Service Commissioner Susan Wefald won't seek re-election
Associated Press

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Public Service Commission President Susan Wefald says she won't run for re-election to the commission.

Wefald issued a statement saying she'll have served 16 years on the commission by the end of next year. She says that's a long time and says she's "ready for new challenges, whatever they may be."

Wefald is the first woman to serve on the three-member Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, reviews site applications for mines and oversees reclaimed land.

Quick link...

News from Headquarters

Did you see the story about the exorbitant severance package former Workforce Safety and Insurance CEO Sandy Blunt is going to receive? If you haven't heard, he was forced out of the job yesterday.

He'll get salary, health insurance and retirement benefits for the next nine months. The Associated Press has reported it's worth $142,362. Sheesh! It's a golden parachute.

At some point during that time, Blunt will be fully vested in WSI's retirement program. That means he gets to keep contributions his employer made to the fund.

OK, so Blunt has been in his office how many months this year, and he gets all this? Remember, he was put on leave from April until November with full benefits, because of felony charges brought against him earlier this year.

Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Tim Mathern had this to say in a news release this morning:

"Giving someone a bunch of money while firing them makes no sense," he said.

"Getting retirement on top of this salary adds insult to injury when one considers workers who have gone without compensation for real suffering," he said.

Folks, this stinks.

I talk a lot about the arrogance of power Republicans demonstrate in North Dakota. They control the state Capitol by a supermajority. It seems they just let stuff like this slide on by. It's absolutely absurd.

Problems have persisted at WSI for years, and during this last legislative session Democrats tried to fix many of them.

Guess what? The legislation was shot down on party line votes time and time again.

The soap operas at Workforce Safety and Insurance continue to play out. It's sad for our state and injured workers. The situation needs a long-term fix.

That fix should not include exorbitant severance packages to people who have been forced out of a job.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

Blunt Gets Huge Severance

Via the Williston Herald's Web site...

Blunt's nine-month dismissal package worth at least $137,000
By DALE WETZEL, Associated Press Writer

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Although Sandy Blunt was forced out Thursday as chief executive of North Dakota's Workforce Safety and Insurance agency, he'll be paid his salary, pension benefits and medical insurance for the next nine months.

The compensation will be worth at least $137,362, and its value could rise to $142,363, according to Associated Press calculations and information from the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System.

The biggest chunk of that is Blunt's salary. He's paid $13,893 a month, or $166,716 a year, which equals a nine-month salary total of $125,037.

Blunt's retirement and medical insurance benefits are not public record. But those costs are fairly standard for North Dakota state government employees and can be estimated using Blunt's salary and other public information.

Read on...

Rep. Griffin Asks Insurance Department to Reconsider Offer to Northwood

LARIMORE – Rep. Chris Griffin, D-Larimore, has sent a letter to the state’s Insurance Department asking that the agency reconsider its offer to Northwood school officials. The school was destroyed when a tornado hit the town earlier this summer.

“I sent this letter, because I feel the state could be doing more to help rebuild Northwood,” Griffin said. “The Northwood School sustained an enormous amount of damage that was well documented, yet the Insurance Department seems to be dragging its feet on paying the claim.”

Griffin’s letter was addressed to Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm and State Fire and Tornado Fund Program Director Jeff Bitz. The money would come out of that reserve.

It has been reported that school officials have thought the offer by the Insurance Department was too low. The Insurance Department has offered slightly more than $6.4 million for repairs. School officials have said the school was insured for $8.3 million and that payment on the policy should be closer to that figure. They feel the facility is beyond repair.

School officials have offered a compromise of $8.1 million, but the Insurance Department has declined it.

A new school would cost an estimated $12.7 million. The money would come from federal, state and local sources. Money from the state insurance payment would play the largest role.

More Developments at State Worker's Comp Bureau

Via the Williston Herald's Web site...

North Dakota workers comp director fired
By DALE WETZEL, Associated Press Writer

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The board overseeing North Dakota's workers compensation agency has voted to fire Sandy Blunt as the agency's chief executive. His tenure has been marred by problems that included felony charges against him, which were later dropped, and employee turmoil.

The vote to fire Blunt was 8-2 at Thursday's meeting of the Workforce Safety and Insurance Agency board. The board's chairman, Robert Indvik, said Blunt's departure was inevitable.

"We was being hamstrung as far as being able to administer the agency," Indvik said. "Everything he did was taken as retribution ... on some of the people."

Blunt did not attend Thursday's meeting in Bismarck.

Indvik said Blunt would be paid nine months' salary and medical benefits as a severance package.

Read on...

News from Headquarters

Today, I thought I would give you a rundown of some upcoming events around the state.

Bismarck's District 32 Democratic-NPL is sponsoring a social and brainstorming session for area Democrats. The event will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Labor Temple, 1323 Front Ave. in Bismarck.

Sen. Kent Conrad will be the honored guest.

Cookies and coffee will be served.

Free will donations appreciated.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Leon Thiel (701) 255-3509.

The Cass County Dem Women Plus group is throwing their annual holiday dinner at 6 p.m. on Monday. It's being held at the Howard Johnson, 301 3rd Ave. N. in Fargo.

The price is $20 per person, and everyone is welcome.

For more information about the event, please call Bonnie Sayers (701) 282-9557 or Bev Quamme (701) 235-4678.

Lastly, save the date for the upcoming Century Club reception in Bismarck on Jan. 10. It's being held at the home of Tim Purdon and Carmen Miller, 1243 E. Highland Acres Rd.

Congressman Earl Pomeroy will be the honored guest.

To RSVP contact Kathi at 255-0460 or kathi@demnpl.com.

The Century Club is the financial backbone of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. Through Century Club memberships, we are able to combine resources of thousands of Democrats to be used for legislative and statewide elections, grassroots party building and research operations at state headquarters.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

News from Headquarters

With winter now upon us (especially in the Red River Valley), picking up a good book may seem like a swell idea. One new book definitely worth checking out is about the life of the late Sen. Quentin Burdick. You can order it online by clicking here.

I was sent this press release by the NDSU Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives regarding the book:

A biography of one of North Dakota's most prominent political figures of the 20th century has been published, nearly 100 years since his birth and 50 years since first being elected to public office.

"Quentin Burdick: The Gentle Warrior," recounts the life of U.S. Senator Quentin Burdick, who was born into a family that emphasized political achievement. He developed a special bond with North Dakotans, who returned him to the U.S. Senate five consecutive times. It also tells of his personal tragedies, which included the divorce of his parents, painful football injuries, the mental breakdown of his first son, and the deaths of his first wife and second son.

Burdick was born June 19, 1908, in Cavalier County and was raised in Williston. He went on to earn a law degree at the University of Minnesota, and he practiced law in Fargo before beginning his political career. He was the son of Congressman Usher Burdick, who served 10 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1935 and 1959. Quentin Burdick was elected to succeed his father in the House of Representatives, and in 1960 he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

He served in the Senate until his death in September 1992. During his Senate career the Democrat supported agriculture, water projects and other federal programs that strengthened education, transportation and commerce in North Dakota.

The 380-page book was written by Fargo native Dan Rylance, and published by the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies at North Dakota State University. The Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives at NDSU spearheaded the book project.

Rylance is a trained archivist and historian who has authored other books about North Dakota's history. He headed the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections at the University of North Dakota between 1967 and 1989, and was editorial page editor for the Grand Forks Herald until 1993. Since then he has followed the academic career of his wife, who is now an associate professor of special education at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

"Quentin Burdick: The Gentle Warrior" is available at bookstores, and by mail order from the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU, P.O. Box 5075, Fargo, ND 58105-5075. It sells for $28.95, and mail orders should include $3 postage for one copy and another $1 for each additional copy.

If you're into North Dakota politics or want to read about the life of this great man, this book is for you. It would be a good way to pass all that time sitting indoors this winter.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

News from Headquarters

President Bush held a press conference in the White House Rose Garden yesterday to scold Congressional Democrats. He practically did the same thing today, but many reporters shifted the debate to Iran.

The point was obvious: Bush wants to paint Congress as do-nothing. This tactic is a political maneuver to try and save the GOP from more losses in 2008. It's a political charade, and the country is suffering because of it.

Bush should eat his words. Just remember he recently vetoed a bill to give 10 million children health care coverage. He has also threatened to veto the new farm bill - something very important to North Dakotans.

Not only is the president in on this game, but Senate Republicans are too. Click here to read a news article on that from earlier this summer. The article basically describes how Senate Republicans conspired to obstruct and delay the Democrats' agenda instead of working with them.

So far, Congressional Democrats have passed major legislation to: enact ethics and lobbying reform, enact the 9/11 Commission recommendations, expand college aid, promote energy independence and raise the minimum wage. No doubt the legislation will make America a better and safer place.

The Democrats' priorities are obvious. It seems the Republicans' priorities are obstruction and political chicanery.

Obama N.D. kickoff meetings

Barack Obama's North Dakota staff will be hosting some meet-ups around the state this week. You're invited.

Here's the schedule:

Minot: 5:30-7 p.m. today (Tuesday, Dec. 4) - The Bagel Stop, 1701 S. Broadway

Bismarck/Mandan: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 - Kathleen's Café, 307 N. 3rd St., Bismarck

Fargo/Moorhead: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 - The Red Raven, 14 Roberts St. N., Fargo

The meeting in Grand Forks was last night.

-Rick Gion, Communications Director

Audrey Boe-Olsen Announces Candidacy for District 8 House

TURTLE LAKE – Today, Audrey Boe-Olsen of Turtle Lake announced her intention to seek the District 8 Democratic-NPL endorsement for the state House of Representatives.

“There is an opportunity to set a direction for the future of the state in the 2009 Legislative Assembly,” Boe-Olsen said. “I will work as a champion for people to address real property tax relief, education for our young people, health care for children, good wages, and services for senior citizens. The Republican-controlled Legislature in the past hasn’t adequately funded K-12 education, shifting the cost of education to local property taxes.”

“I intend to get out and start meeting the people of District 8 on a one-on-one basis right after the endorsing convention in early 2008,” she said. “That one-on-one contact will continue right up to Election Day on Nov. 4.”

Boe-Olsen has 27 years experience working with rural community issues across North Dakota. She is currently a resource development advisor with the Midwest Assistance Program, a non-profit organization that covers a nine-state region in the upper Midwest. She has been employed by MAP for the past 22 years. She also worked for Congressman Art Link in Washington, D.C. Boe-Olsen has authored numerous articles relating to utility issues, capital improvement planning, strategic planning and financial management for small communities. She is an accomplished trainer for both communities and tribal entities.

Boe-Olsen was born and raised in District 8 and graduated from Turtle Lake High School.

She holds a Bachelors of Science in Public Administration from the University of North Dakota and a Masters of Community and Regional Planning from North Dakota State University.

She and husband Emery F. Olsen have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.

Legislative District 8 covers an area north to south from Butte and Benedict on the northern edge of McLean County to include northeast Bismarck and south to the Lincoln Road, southeast of Bismarck. Communities within District 8 include: Benedict, suburban areas east of Bismarck, Butte, Coleharbor, Mercer, Turtle Lake, Riverdale, Underwood, Washburn, and the McLean County portion of Wilton.

Mathern Interviewed by Bismarck Tribune Editor

Click on the play button below to watch the interview.

New Biography Recounts Political and Private Life of Sen. Quentin Burdick

Via a news release from the NDSU Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives ...

A biography of one of North Dakota’s most prominent political figures of the 20th century has been published, nearly 100 years since his birth and 50 years since first being elected to public office.

“Quentin Burdick: The Gentle Warrior,” recounts the life of U.S. Senator Quentin Burdick, who was born into a family that emphasized political achievement. He developed a special bond with North Dakotans, who returned him to the U.S. Senate five consecutive times. It also tells of his personal tragedies, which included the divorce of his parents, p