Section: Politics & Government

Bill increasing financial reporting for public officials advances in North Dakota House

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by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakota lawmakers are pushing for more transparency from public officials. The House passed a bill requiring annual statements of interest, expanding financial disclosure rules and making statewide filings available online. Supporters say it simplifies the process and helps the public track potential conflicts of interest. Critics, like Rep. Dan Ruby, argue it creates unnecessary

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota lawmakers reject voter registration bill

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by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakota will remain the only state without voter registration after lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to reinstate it. House Bill 1287, which would have required voters to register online or in person, failed in the House with a decisive 75-15 vote. Opponents argued it would be costly and unnecessary, while supporters saw it as

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Armstrong to attend National Governors Association Winter Meeting, business session at White House

by: MinotVoice  |  

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong will attend the National Governors Association Winter Meeting Thursday through Saturday in Washington, D.C. The governor plans to participate in sessions on a variety of topics as well as a business session for governors at the White House with Cabinet members and President Donald

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Should Charitable Gaming Fund Political Activity? Introduced Bill Would Allow It

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Political campaigns fueled by gambling proceeds? That’s the debate sparked by Rep. Jared Hendrix’s new bill, which would classify political organizations as “public-spirited,” making them eligible for charitable gaming funds. Critics, including nonprofit leaders, worry this could erode public trust in charitable gaming, already a billion-dollar industry in North Dakota. With the state’s loose campaign

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Lawmakers challenged on multiple values bills at legislatives forum

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by: MinotVoice  |  

Frustration over values-based legislation took center stage at Minot’s legislative forum last Saturday, where Kalyn Dewitt protested bills she sees as blurring the line between religion and government. Dressed in a costume from The Handmaid’s Tale, she spoke out against measures like a resolution acknowledging the “kingship of Jesus Christ” and a bill requiring intelligent

Read & Share   sourced from: Minot Daily News

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Fedorchak pushes data centers, fiscal accountability in address to North Dakota Legislature

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By: Michael Achterling, North Dakota Monitor |

North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak spoke to both chambers of the state Legislature Tuesday and told lawmakers that cutting bloated and wasteful spending was the first step in addressing the country’s debt crisis. Fedorchak said restoring fiscal accountability, unleashing the energy industry and taking advantage of the boom in artificial intelligence data centers would benefit

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

North Dakota House passes ban on ranked choice, approval voting in state elections

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

North Dakota lawmakers are once again stepping in to override Fargo’s approach to elections. The House has passed a bill banning ranked choice and approval voting statewide, putting Fargo’s voter-approved system on the chopping block. Supporters of the ban argue that elections should be uniform across the state and claim alternative methods confuse voters. Opponents,

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Iowa bill would let county attorneys sue school boards, superintendents to enforce laws

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Iowa lawmakers are weighing a bill that could put school boards and superintendents in legal jeopardy for not following state laws. Under Senate File 178, county attorneys could sue school leaders if residents believe their district isn’t in compliance—bypassing the state’s existing appeals process. Supporters argue the current system doesn’t resolve disputes, while education advocates

Read & Share   sourced from: Iowa Capital Dispatch

ChatGPT Gov offers another option to boost employee productivity

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by: MinotVoice  |  

State and local governments are embracing generative AI, seeing it as a tool to improve efficiency in drafting reports, preparing for meetings, and training employees. Minnesota and Pennsylvania are leading the way, and now OpenAI is offering _ChatGPT Gov_, a secure version designed for government use. Supporters say AI can help under-resourced agencies streamline work,

Read & Share   sourced from: Route Fifty

Armstrong signs first bill of 2025 legislative session, expanding eligibility for primary residence tax credit

by: MinotVoice  |  

The following was released by Governor Armstrong’s office. BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today signed his first bill of the 2025 legislative session, expanding eligibility for the state’s $500 property tax credit on primary residences to allow an estimated 3,900 additional residences to qualify for the credit. Senate Bill 2201 expands the primary residence tax

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Port: The attack on Prairie Public’s funding is political discrimination

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

“It’s one thing to defund a public broadcaster based on fiscal considerations. It’s quite another to defund it based on political content. Prairie Public doesn’t have a right to public funds; they do have a First Amendment right not to be discriminated against because of the political bent of their content.” That’s the excerpt. Read

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

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Bill seeks to strengthen tribal consultation on North Dakota legislation

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by: MinotVoice  |  

North Dakota lawmakers are pushing for stronger communication between the state and tribal nations. House Bill 1455 would require the Indian Affairs Commission to alert tribal leaders about legislation that could impact Native communities before it passes. Supporters say too many laws—like gambling expansions and tax changes—have blindsided tribes without consultation. With dozens of bills

Read & Share   sourced from: North Dakota Monitor

Meat processing tax exemption bill could help West Virginia Farmers

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By: Nadia Ramlagan, Public News Service |

Some West Virginia lawmakers want to remove consumer sales taxes on the processing of beef, pork and lamb at slaughterhouses. House Bill 2146 would reduce the cost for individuals who want to have their livestock processed by a professional slaughterhouse. Dwayne O’Dell, director of government affairs for the West Virginia Farm Bureau, said the change could

Read & Share   sourced from: Public News Service

Chaos reigns in Montana in a Divided Republican Senate as Moderates Team Up With Democrats

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Moderates in Montana’s state Senate made headlines during a late-night session by asserting control over key proceedings, signaling frustration with the Republican leadership’s pace. This coalition of 18 minority Democrats and nine Republicans pushed through 20 motions to advance stalled legislation, despite the GOP’s majority. The surprising developments included a breakthrough on Medicaid expansion, stirring

Read & Share   sourced from: Montana Free Press

Resolution would remove North Dakota governor’s ability to appoint judges, justices

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

Who should decide who sits on North Dakota’s highest courts—the governor or an independent commission? That’s the question behind House Concurrent Resolution 3021, a proposal that would strip the governor of judicial appointment power and reshape the state’s legal system. Supporters, like Rep. Lori VanWinkle, argue it’s about accountability and citizen recourse, though specifics were

Read & Share   sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Grand Forks Opinion: Casino Bill Deserves Another Look in the Future

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by: Josh Wolsky  |  

North Dakota lawmakers have shut down a proposal that could have reshaped the state’s gaming landscape. Senate Bill 2376, which would have allowed the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to open a casino near Grand Forks, was rejected in a 29-15 vote, ending—at least for now—what supporters saw as an opportunity for economic growth. At

Read & Share   sourced from: Grand Forks Herald