While the debate over legacy fund uses continues — with one idea being to use it to eliminate income taxes — the legislature made concrete steps toward reforming another tax policy. The bill is through both houses; it establishes a tax exemption for social security income. John Hageman with inForum has the story.
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What makes a waterway or lake navigable? That’s a question that the legislature wants reviewed. Much of these determinations go back to how the rivers and lakes were used at the time North Dakota become a state, but more than 100 years later, the question may have costly implications. Amy Dalrymple has the full story;
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For the second time in the past few years, a North Dakota quarterback has a good chance of being taken in the NFL draft. Easton Stick wrapped up is NCAA career with a national championship. Now, he’s working to take the next step. Dom Izzo with inForum has the full interview.
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The drone/UAS business is moving fast, but one of the big squelch points has been removed. Previously, flying commercial drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) was not allowed. Yesterday, that changed — at least in the Grand Forks Area. The full news release from Senator Hoeven’s office follows below, but the announcement therein
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For the past several years, Minot’s been attempting to nose into the UAS industry, so all stories tied to the technology have local relevance. Here’s a big one: Wing, a subsidiary company one of the biggest companies in the world (Google), gained certification by the FAA to deliver goods by drone. Get the full story
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A week after a fire did substantial damage to Notre Dame, a similar, more local story unfolded on the North Dakota Prairie. Situated about 18 miles South of Parshall, the Elbowoods Congregational Church was more than 90 years old and withstood a move out of the Missouri River valley when the Garrison Dam was built.
Read & Share sourced from: KX News
The Minot Daily News has the full story on the March 22 Trinity construction site explosion. The culprit was thawing ground that led to shifting propane tanks, leaks, and the subsequent explosion and fire. Get all the details as well as comments from construction workers on job site conditions from the Minot Daily News.
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There is no rage like a citizen who gets a parking ticket. In North Dakota, one of those citizens led a charge to eliminate a cities ability to price parking with parking meters. That political battle was fought decades ago; that citizen was successful and a law banning parking meters is still in place today.
Read & Share sourced from: NPR
After the pay-freeze of the last biennium, salaries for state employees have been a big topic for the legislature this session. Among the topics under discussion, attempting to equalize salaries for top elected positions. John Hageman has the story on the debate that may see one elected official get a proportionally bigger raise in the
Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck TribuneHistorically, social services in North Dakota have been delivered by the counties. But moving forward, a regionalized system made up of 19 social service units will be the new norm. Governor Burgum signed Senate bill 2124 last week; the full news release is below. — Official News Release, Governor Burgum — BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug
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The transition from a reservation school — where administrators and teachers are more attuned to the particular challenges of native students — to a city school can be daunting. And in Bismarck, where native students make up ~9% of the enrollment, the School District is making an investment in helping these transitions and other challenges
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Nothing moved North Dakota’s economy over the last 10-years like oil development and even with the slow down of the past few years, energy still has a massive impact on our economy, our communities, and our government budgets. All that makes us heavily dependent energy price fluctuations and those are prices that move on large,
Read & Share sourced from: Bloomberg
The legislature took up the problem of North Dakota’s teacher shortage by easing teacher licensing requirements and there’s a potential state revenue to school district increase in conference committee. Teacher salary is another obvious tool in the teacher recruiting arsenal, and this report from the Grand Forks Herald shares some statewide comparison numbers as well
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Once you see it, you’ll see it everywhere. I’m talking about plastic. Particularly single-use plastic and especially plastic bags. This time of year is especially troublesome because we’re forced to look at what’s been hiding under the snow all winter. And if you’re among those who can’t unsee it and think we should do something
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Should local governments be forced to take a financial loss by pulling over a traffic violator? In other words, should the fine levied at least cover the costs of pulling over the individual? And is a $15 fine for going 40 mph in a 25 mph zone a deterrent? Those were the questions that informed
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The opioid addiction epidemic that’s sweeping the country has finally gotten the notable attention of federal government. The response: a $350 million appropriation going to research sites in four states — Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio — with the hopes of developing solutions at the local level.
Read & Share sourced from: Reuters