Section: Politics & Government

To alleviate fire marshal office space issues, city Grand Forks moves to buy building (and a comment on property taxes)

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Grand Forks is making room for its fire department to breathe. The City Council has recommended purchasing two lots near Fire Station No. 1 to ease overcrowding, particularly for the fire marshal’s office, which has long been short on space. The $850,000 purchase includes office space, a garage, and a workshop—meeting immediate needs with minimal

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Bill to restrict ‘explicit’ books in schools and library passes senate

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by: MinotVoice  |  

A contentious debate over books in North Dakota’s schools and libraries is moving to the House after the Senate narrowly passed SB 2307. The bill would require the removal of books deemed sexually explicit, with librarians facing criminal charges if they fail to comply. Supporters say it’s about protecting children, while opponents warn it’s unnecessary

Read & Share   sourced from: KX News

North Dakota Legislature passes one, fails three bills on election laws in the state

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by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakota lawmakers are drawing a clear line when it comes to who controls election laws. The Legislature passed House Bill 1307, reinforcing state authority over local election rules, effectively barring counties and cities—including home rule jurisdictions—from making independent changes. Supporters argue it ensures uniformity, while critics say it strips local governments of their right

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Fargo area leaders urge local control as state works on property tax reform

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Property tax relief is on the table in North Dakota, but local leaders are raising concerns about how a proposed 3% cap on annual levy increases could impact fast-growing communities. While supporters see it as a step toward easing the tax burden, officials in Cass County and Fargo warn that it may not keep pace

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Three bills to support small towns, groceries and housing see momentum in Legislature

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Rural North Dakota is facing big challenges, from housing shortages to struggling grocery stores, but lawmakers are pushing forward with efforts to help small towns stay viable. Three bills aimed at funding housing, local businesses, and community development are making their way through the Legislature, though some have already seen funding cuts. Advocates say these

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

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Supporting Electoral College resolution is not a vote for direct democracy

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By: Barbara Headrick, North Dakota Monitor |

The North Dakota Legislature is considering a resolution called Senate Concurrent Resolution 4013 to proclaim its support for the Electoral College. The Electoral College is our system for electing the U.S. president and is unlike any other election for public office in the country. With this system, the president doesn’t need to win the most votes to

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

What would our Founders think of this Iowa official’s warning letter?

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by: MinotVoice  |  

A small-town dispute in Iowa has become a textbook case of how free speech works—or should. When 73-year-old Rita Audlehelm wrote a letter to her local newspaper questioning an elected official’s prolonged absence from meetings, she didn’t expect a legal threat in return. But the county attorney’s cease-and-desist letter serves as a stark reminder: the

Read & Share   sourced from: Iowa Capital Dispatch

A Farewell for the Ages, When Lincoln Wrote Washington’s Long Goodbye

by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Let me be clear. I did not write what you read next. I prompted it. Sometimes in putting together a daily newsletter, one that’s filled with current news, history, quotes, and more, the information one discovers sends them in unexpected directions. Imagine a little of Alice’s rabbit hole. Last week, as President’s Day was approaching

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Controversial zoning bill dies in North Dakota Senate

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by: MinotVoice  |  

A bill that would have tied local infrastructure funding to support for state-approved energy and agricultural projects failed in the North Dakota Senate. Lawmakers rejected the measure 19-27 after a debate over local control and economic priorities. Supporters argued that communities benefiting from oil and gas taxes should not obstruct major projects, while opponents warned

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

North Dakota Senate Votes to Overhaul Guardianship and Coservatorship

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by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakota is one step closer to overhauling its guardianship system. The Senate narrowly passed a bill to create an Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, granting it broad oversight of professional guardians and conservators statewide. Supporters argue the move is long overdue, addressing accountability gaps and a shortage of guardians, while critics worry about judicial

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

North Dakota House votes for annual legislative session

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by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakota’s Legislature could soon shift to annual sessions, a move supporters say would improve efficiency and broaden participation. The House passed a bill to split the state’s current 80-day, biennial schedule into two 40-day sessions, aiming to ease lawmakers’ workload and allow more time for public input. Advocates argue this change is especially needed

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

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Amended tenure policy bill passes in House, advances to North Dakota Senate 

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by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakota’s debate over tenure took a turn Tuesday as the House passed a bill requiring the University System to formalize its tenure policies—something already in progress. Originally, the bill sought to eliminate tenure at two-year colleges, but that provision was removed. Now, the focus is on regular evaluations, including mandatory post-tenure reviews every five

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota lawmakers make recommendations on zoning, data centers

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Lawmakers in North Dakota are wrestling with how much control local governments should have over energy projects—and the debate is heating up. A proposal to withhold infrastructure funds from communities that challenge state-approved projects faced resistance in the Senate Energy Committee, with critics calling it government overreach. Meanwhile, efforts to expand the Public Service Commission

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Bill targeting library content passes North Dakota Senate

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by: MinotVoice  |  

The debate over library content in North Dakota isn’t new, but the stakes have been raised. A bill passed in the Senate would require public and school libraries to relocate sexually explicit materials to areas “not easily accessible” to minors. Supporters frame it as a child protection measure; opponents call it censorship and government overreach.

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota Insurance Department assisted over 1,500 consumers in 2024, recovering over $2 million

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by: MinotVoice  |  

BISMARCK, N.D. – Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread announced today that the North Dakota Insurance Department helped over 1,500 consumers in 2024, assisting with insurance-related complaints and inquiries, ultimately recovering over $2 million for policyholders across the state. As a consumer protection agency, the Department works with individuals facing issues with health, life, auto, homeowners, and

Read & Share   sourced from: State of ND

North Dakota House passes bill to define gender as a person’s biological sex

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Lawmakers in North Dakota are once again debating the definition of gender in state law. The House has passed a bill that would align official records and institutions with a biological definition of sex, affecting schools, agencies, and other state-funded entities. Supporters call it a matter of legal clarity, while opponents warn of discrimination and

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum