Public Affairs – Page 25 – TheMinotVoice.com

An arcane American law protected by powerful interests is causing insane traffic jams

by: Josh Wolsky | August 7, 2017

What does a hundred-year-old law that forces goods transported between American ports to use American-made ships have to do with traffic and L.A. and possibly our economy in North Dakota? Erik Olson asks the question (about the Traffic in L.A. part) and provides the analysis of the trickle down regulatory effect and the unintended consequences. This

Read & Share sourced from: Quartz

On health care and everything else, the path to compromise is available

by: Jim Maxson | August 4, 2017

Contrary to most, I was not surprised that Congress has failed to repeal and replace “Obamacare”. “Repeal and Replace” has been the unifying slogan of the Republican party since 2009. That slogan may have become fact except for one minor detail. Like the Democratic party, the Republican party is merely a coalition of various diverse

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North Dakota initiated measure study commission holds first meeting

by: Josh Wolsky | August 2, 2017

The process by which North Dakota citizens and organizations bring issues to the ballot for consideration is going up for a review. The initiated measure process of petition carrying and signature gathering that allows a form of direct citizen legislation has been criticized in recent years. One of the arguments against, issues like the recently

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

State sees lots of interest in business side of medical marijuana industry

by: Josh Wolsky | August 2, 2017

The response could be described as a lot of interest. Earlier in July, the ND Department of Health asked for a letter of intent for parties interested in participating in the business side of the state’s medical marijuana industry. That request drew letters from 97 different parties. The formal application process is expected to open

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Fires are torching Montana, and the money is running out

by: Josh Wolsky | August 2, 2017

As the rain thankfully falls, there will be a small reprieve from the fire concerns. But single storm won’t right the rain deficit, and the fire threat is likely to remain through the fall. In Montana, where they’ve been fighting fires all summer, the resources are dwindling. Matt Volz with the Associated Press has the

Read & Share sourced from: Associated Press

North Dakota passes 400 percent fine increase for littering

by: Josh Wolsky | July 27, 2017

The police and highway patrol have been empowered to get serious about littering. Starting August 1, the fine for throwing out that cigarette will be something you notice if you get caught; it’s going from $100 to $500. The Grand Forks Herald has more on the story.

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Williston takes pro-business position on new business models

by: Josh Wolsky | July 27, 2017

What does a city do when a new business concept presents challenges because they don’t fit nicely inside current laws and regulations? In Williston the direction of City Commissioners is to go slowly and carefully, but make sure the message sent is that Williston is open to new business concepts. Beverage kiosks (the article doesn’t

Read & Share sourced from: Williston Herald

ND’s top correction officer looks to Norway for new solutions to old problems

by: Josh Wolsky | July 26, 2017

In our country and more and more in our state, we put people in jail. For a long time, we’ve viewed incarceration as the only solution to the problem of criminal activity and recidivism. But is it? More importantly, is there a better solution? A recent trip to Norway by our state’s top correction officers

Read & Share sourced from: Mother Jones

Petition to revoke Sunday Closing Laws approved for circulation

by: Josh Wolsky | July 26, 2017

Last winter, the ND Senate narrowly defeated a bill that would have allowed retail operations to open on Sunday mornings. Now, supporters of the regulatory rollback are going to take the issue directly to the voters. Secretary of State Al Jaeger approved circulation of a petition that would put the issue on the ballot.

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Verizon argues throttling video is allowed under net neutrality rules

by: Josh Wolsky | July 26, 2017

What will the Internet look like if there’s a roll back on the FCC’s net neutrality rules? We’re perhaps getting a taste. Last week, Verizon was caught and then admitted to throttling video content on its network. Basically, that means they slowed down the speed at which they delivered video — intentionally.

Read & Share sourced from: The Verge

Comcast says it should be able to create internet fast lanes for self-driving cars

by: Josh Wolsky | July 26, 2017

The first of a couple articles on the net neutrality issue, Comcast is arguing that the need to provide faster more reliable service to self-driving cars will warrant a competitive pricing model. That means they can charge more for certain types of data traffic. Medical uses and automated cars are the examples they use to

Read & Share sourced from: The Verge

A Toxic Legacy: North Dakota Looks To Clean Up Old Oilfield Waste

by: Josh Wolsky | July 18, 2017

One of the considerable by-products of oil production in North Dakota is the extremely salty wastewater we get back along with the oil. It’s not a new problem. And though modern practices inject wastewater deep underground, there are still a number of legacy era brine pits that continue to leach salt water contamination into nearby

Read & Share sourced from: Inside Energy

Judge Rules Ward County State’s Attorney’s Demand ‘Not in Good Faith’

by: Josh Wolsky | July 18, 2017

Minot area criminal defense attornies and the Ward County State’s Attorney’s office have been squabbling in court recently. The incidents have brought considerable media coverage, and now a ruling against the State’s Attorney’s office. Andrea Johnson with The Minot Daily News has the coverage, but it’s not available online so you’ll have to find it

Read & Share sourced from: Dickinson Press

Tech workers brace for Seattle’s plan to ‘tax the rich’

by: Josh Wolsky | July 18, 2017

The City of Seattle is on a pathway toward attempting to solve their low-income housing and public transit challenges by implementing an income tax on individuals earning more than $250,000 per year and couples earning more than $500,000. It’s not the first policy initiative Seattle has undertaken to attempt to make the City more livable

Read & Share sourced from: NPR

Criminal justice reforms have sheriffs worried about shifting costs

by: Josh Wolsky | July 17, 2017

The battle over who pays what is an eternal one in government, and when it comes to housing inmates serving sentences the payor is often a matter of where the inmate is staying. Is it in a state correctional facility or a county one? And shifting policy as well as a lot of new beds

Read & Share sourced from: Bismarck Tribune

Why don’t more women run for political office?

by: Josh Wolsky | July 11, 2017

When women run, they win just as often as men. But they don’t run as often. Follow the source link below and have a listen to a couple political operatives discuss why women aren’t running for political office.

Read & Share sourced from: Minnesota Public Radio