ND Lawmakers Will Consider Bill Legalizing Concealed Carry In Schools

The requirements for the permit would be significant including training with local law enforcement, but it might be an alternative to placing resource officers in schools. The bill is sponsored by Representative Dwight Kiefert of Valley City.

Read & Share   sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com

ND Chief Justice Addresses Legislature, Asks for More Judges & Staff

Chief Justice  Gerald VandWalle spoke before the Legislature on Wednesday. The message: we need more help in the form of people. VandeWalle called for four new judges and 15 additional staff members to help, particularly in oil-impacted counties.

Read & Share   sourced from: KMOT

ND Association of Counties Oppose Making Property Taxes Available Online

It’s a bill that would make it easier to search who owns what, and what taxes are paid on each property. Ward County does not have this service available online but would be required to provide it if the bill passes.

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

2015 Legislature to Take Up the Way We Fill Vacated Senate & House Seats

This story a couple days ago, and it’s no surprise the issue is getting politicized. Rob Port offers his thoughts, but the last sentence is most important, “… reform was inspired by the immediate politics of 2016, but even if that’s true it remains sound reform.”

Read & Share   sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com

Oil Country Funding Gets Top Billing at Legislative Session

The 2015 Legislature will convene on Tuesday, and oil country funding will be a popular topic throughout the session. Get a breakdown of the major issues and the potential impact of dropping oil prices on the session from Mike Nowatzki.

Read & Share   sourced from: Dickinson Press

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Tensions Build in North Dakota over Common Core Education Standards

Say the words ‘Common Core’ and you’ll likely get a response in one way or another. And it looks like the issue will be addressed in the upcoming legislative session.

Read & Share   sourced from: Bakken Magazine

Should State Universities Be Protecting Students Personal Info?

During the last election, Odney Advertising submitted a public information request seeking the release of names, addresses, phone numbers, and email for the state’s 48,000 higher ed students; the information was used for political purpose. A proposed bill would remove much of this info from public records requests.

Read & Share   sourced from: InForum

Falling Oil Prices Have Attention of State Legisators

Legislators are watching carefully and wondering if falling oil prices will trigger a reduction in the amount of the oil extraction tax… an event that would have a significant effect on two-year budget.

Read & Share   sourced from: KX News

Lawmakers Propose Bill To Eliminate Montana Sales Tax Exemption

Montana residents are currently exempt from sales tax on items over $50, but a lawmaker from Grand Forks is introducing a bill to eliminate that exemption. Business owners in Williston say the effects would be significant.

Read & Share   sourced from: Williston Herald

Early Education Bill Would Provide Families With Dollars

The 2015 Legislature will consider a bill that would give families grants of up to $1,500 for early education costs. The grants would only be available through community specified early education providers.

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Board of Higher Education Revises Legislation to Restrict Open Records

The State Board of Higher Education revised the language in its proposed legislation on restricting access to University President evaluations. New language clarifies that final reviews will be made public. Additionally, language on restricting internal draft audits was removed.

Read & Share   sourced from: Dickinson Press

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Reform Sales Tax Monies Distribution?

Representative Gary Sukut (District 1, Williston) is proposing a new formula for distributing money raised from the state sales tax. The proposed system would adjust amounts distributed to minor-hub towns so money is distributed by sales volume rather than population.

Read & Share   sourced from: KX News

Governor Dalrymple Releases 2015-2017 Budget

Governor Dalyrmple released his proposed budget for the 2015-2017 biennium. The proposed $15.7 billion budget is a record amount that includes significant spending for oil impacted counties. For independent press coverage of the budget, read Nick Smith’s article on the Bismarck Tribune. The Governor’s complete news release on the budget including pdf versions of charts

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Superintendent Vollmer’s Comments on Energy Impact Dollars

In the current round of applying for State energy impact dollars, Minot’s status as a ‘hub city’ worked against Minot Public Schools. Superintendent Vollmer believes the formula for distributing those dollars needs an adjustment and is hopeful the 2015 legislature will address the issue.

Read & Share   sourced from: KX News

Zero Percent State Income Tax Rate?

Representative Scott Louser will introduce the income tax bill in the up coming session.

Read & Share   sourced from: KX News

Common Core Standards Battle Takes Shape

The Common Core education standards are a hot button issue, and we’re going to get a taste of the debate during the upcoming legislative session.  Get a good preliminary overview of the issue and some of the players in this piece from The Forum News Service.

Read & Share   sourced from: Dickinson Press