Ista, Braunberger attend White House States Convening on Child Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 19, 2023

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

This morning, North Dakota House Minority Leader Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) and State Senator Ryan Braunberger (D-Fargo) are attending the White House States Convening on Child Care.

Braunberger said, “It’s an honor to be included in this convening. We worked hard this legislative session to address North Dakota’s child care crisis, but there is much more to do if we’re going to truly solve it.”

Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo) and Braunberger introduced a package of bills to combat North Dakota’s child care crisis. The bills sought to bolster the state’s childcare assistance program, modernize childcare employee background checks, establish stabilization grants for childcare providers struggling to stay in business, allot more funding for early childhood programs, and provide a direct childcare tax credit to working families.

Ista remarked, “The Biden-Harris Administration knows that it’s critical we do more federally and at the state level to ensure working families have quality, affordable, accessible child care. Nationwide–and especially in North Dakota–this is a major workforce issue. Senators Braunberger and Hogan put forward some great bills during the legislative session. I’m glad many of them were included in the final child care package signed into law. But that bill is just a first step towards solving the state’s child care crisis, and I wish more of what the Dem-NPL caucus proposed had been adopted. I’m thrilled to be able to learn about what’s working in other states and to see what we could implement back home.”

Over 90 legislators from 41 states are attending this event, which will include panels on improving access to child care and state budget investments in child care. Attendees will hear from First Lady Jill Biden, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Democratic-NPL admonishes frivolous lawsuit, raises call to protect the right to vote

The lawsuit filed by Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski at the request of the Public Interest Legal Foundation is raising eyebrows and questions as North Dakotans learn more about it.

The lawsuit contends that North Dakota law, which requires absentee and mail-in ballots to be postmarked by the day before election day, violates federal election law. Rural voters and military members stationed overseas rely on mail-in and absentee voting; if this lawsuit were successful it could disenfranchise those voters.

Public Interest Legal Foundation is a right-wing group with many board members who deny the 2020 election results. Its board includes Cleta Mitchell advised former president Trump on the famed 2020 call where he pushed Georgia officials to “find” enough ballots to swing the presidential election in his favor. Mitchell was asked to resign from her law firm after that call. Mitchell is associated with other “dark money” groups, who’ve worked to spread false information about the 2020 election.

The Associated Press reported that the foundation reached out to Splonskowski to file the lawsuit, the article went on to say, “An election law expert says the Public Interest Legal Foundation appeared to be ‘court-shopping’ for a conservative circuit with its case, which seeks an injunction against the election director for enforcing the state’s laws.”

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “It certainly appears as if the Burleigh County auditor is being used by out-of-state extremists to erode North Dakotans’ right to vote. That the current right-wing groups and the North Dakota Republican Party won’t even stand up for the defining aspect of American democracy shows just how far they’ve fallen from the nation our Founders imagined and which we have sought to preserve. The North Dakota Democratic-NPL has always stood for the right to vote and have that vote counted, and always will.”

House Minority Leader Zac Ista remarked, “In 2022, my race went to an automatic recount, so I got to witness our state’s election processes up close. Having done so, I am more confident than ever that our elections are run with integrity and that North Dakotans can have complete faith in their outcomes. Frivolous lawsuits like this only sew division where none ought to exist.”

Democratic-NPL disappointed in GOP disregard for ND Colleges and Universities

As Minnesota is set to begin its North Star Promise program to make college more affordable for families, the North Dakota Dem-NPL agrees with the five North Dakota university presidents who are begging North Dakota leaders to respond in kind to stay competitive. However, North Dakotan Republican legislators are just shrugging their shoulders with indifference.

During the Minnesota legislative session, Democrats passed a bill to cover tuition and fees for students from Minnesota families making less than $80,000 who attend a two- or four-year program in the University of Minnesota or Minnesota State system or in-state tribal colleges.

In a recent ND Board of Higher Education meeting, NDSU President David Cook said failing to create a similar program in North Dakota will have “catastrophic implications” since 52% of NDSU students come from Minnesota. He suggested the ND Legislature call a special session to respond with a similar program.

Despite the urgency expressed by the college presidents, Rep. Bob Martinson (R-Bismarck) scoffed at the idea and suggested people would take advantage of it by reducing their income to qualify, according to the Fargo Forum. “We may just have to live with what we have, which would be very difficult for Fargo in particular,” Martinson told the Forum, referring to NDSU’s potential loss of Minnesota students.

“Rep. Martinson’s disrespectful assumptions about families and his disregard for NDSU and the Fargo economy are extremely troubling,” said North Dakota Democratic-NPL Executive Director Cheryl Biller, “College affordability is a key consideration for students, and North Dakota needs to stay competitive to attract students. While Minnesota leaders are focused on what’s most helpful for families and their state’s workforce needs, North Dakota Republicans seem to be satisfied with our state falling behind.”

Democratic-NPL Chair Calls Armstrong “Cowardly” For Flip-Flop After Threat From Trump

Yesterday, Representative Kelly Armstrong changed his position on censuring California Representative Adam Schiff after former president Donald Trump called for Armstrong to be primaried. The vote was called “nothing but theatrics” and “useless” by conservative commentator S.E. Cupp.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Yet again, Trump bullies our Representative, and Armstrong is too cowardly to stand up to him. As Armstrong grovels to Trump and the extremists who’ve taken over the Republican Party, North Dakotans and the Democratic-NPL continue to stand for freedom of speech.”

North Dakota DNC Committeewoman Ruth Buffalo stated, “It is a shame to see what is happening at the federal level. We need real people who will do the right thing. Rep Kelly Armstrong is wrong and should have stood strong for all of us, but he didn’t. This action—censuring someone who stood up for our democracy, checks and balances, and the truth—puts our precious republic in even more danger. The GOP’s targeting of effective leaders is nothing new in every level of government.”

Democratic-NPL Chair’s Statement On Burgum’s “Big” Announcement

Today, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum enters the 2024 race to become U.S. President. Former Vice-President Mike Pence also announced his presidential bid this morning.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “In June of 2016, many Democrats were relieved when Doug Burgum defeated the good-ole’ boys, thinking he’d bring fresh air to the capitol. So it was with great disappointment to watch how Burgum’s ambition to become President and his need to win a Republican primary fueled by hate and fear has resulted in policies that have taken away the rights and freedoms of North Dakotans. He signed one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation and threatened doctors, nurses, and other health care workers with jail; banned books and penalized librarians and teachers; and sold out North Dakota’s family farmers to multinational corporations. The last thing the country needs is another bored billionaire whose need for attention is greater than his commitment to the American people as the President of the greatest country in the world. Burgum’s Presidential campaign will be short, but the harm he has done to North Dakotans will last generations.

The Republican Primary field already includes Former President Donald Trump, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and several others.

Past statements from the North Dakota Democratic-NPL on Burgum’s Leadership:

Democratic-NPL leaders admonish anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law
Democratic-NPL Statement on Burgum Signing Anti-LGBTQ Bill
Democratic-NPL Lawmakers Respond to State of the State Address
Dem-NPL Legislators Say Governor’s Budget a Good Start in Some Areas, Falls Short in Others
Dem-NPL Lawmakers dismiss Burgum Tax Proposal as “Just another giveaway to the wealthy”
Dem-NPL Chair Reacts To Governor’s So-Called “Red Tape Reduction Working Group”
Democratic-NPL Chair’s statement on Burgum’s enormous political contributions 

Ista reacts to Buttigieg visit, $30 million grant to improve ND infrastructure

As U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg came to Grand Forks to announce $30 million in federal grant to the North Dakota Department of TransportationHouse Minority Leader Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) expressed enthusiasm, remarking, “Anyone who lives, works, or studies in Grand Forks knows all too well the frustration of waiting for a train at the intersection of 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue. Beyond being an inconvenience to families, delays there can have serious consequences in emergency situations when police, fire, and paramedics are forced to take longer routes to respond. That is why I am thrilled to welcome Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Grand Forks today to announce the multi-million dollar investment that the Biden Administration is making in local rail safety and infrastructure. This project is just one example of the many ways President Biden’s policies are making a positive impact here in North Dakota.”

The Grand Forks project includes $7,500,000 in Federal Highway Administration funds. It is expected to reduce vehicle delays, and will improve access to Altru Hospital and University of North Dakota campus. The North Dakota Department of Transportation, BNSF, and the City of Grand Forks will contribute non-Federal funds to supplement the project.

The Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program is a part of President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In 2019, Representative Gretchen Dobervich (D-Fargo) passed a bill to look at how the state could improve safety measures at North Dakota railroad crossings.

Potential for Devastating Cuts with Republican Debt Ceiling bill Raises Local Concerns

House Republicans, including Rep. Kelly Armstrong, passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act, or as some are calling it the “Default on America Act.” As President Biden delivered remarks today calling on Congress to avoid default without conditions, Democratic-NPL leaders express grave concerns about the Republican plan.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “Republicans always talk about running government like a business, but businesses that don’t pay their debts go bankrupt. As usual, their actions don’t match their words. Kevin McCarthy and Kelly Armstrong are too cowardly to stand up for North Dakotans against the extremists in their own party, and Doug Burgum and John Hoeven are too rich to care. North Dakota veterans, seniors, and parents will suffer if this plan goes forward.”

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Vice-Chair and State Representative Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-Mandaree) said, “The Limit, Save, Grow act will definitely limit the well being of many Americans that are struggling in already challenging times. Coming off of the Covid-19 Pandemic, our communities are still facing economic hardship and financial insecurity. While I support the reduction of the national debt, we simply cannot reduce the national debt at the expense of working families. Our members of Congress in DC must stick to North Dakotan values and support the communities that are facing detrimental affects on their quality of life by passing such extreme legislation.”

Sen. Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) said, “The kindest way I can describe the Republican Congress bill on the debt limit is useless posturing. I serve on the ND Appropriations Committee. We just passed our budget based on Congress passed already. If they back out, North Dakotans from farm to city will be really hurt.”

According to the White House, The House Republican plan would mean at least $200 million fewer federal grant dollars invested in North Dakota, including cuts that would: 

• Threaten Medical Care for 34,000 North Dakota Veterans. The House Republicans’ plan would result in 30 million fewer outpatient visits for our nation’s veterans all across the country. That means 34,000 veterans could lose access to outpatient visits in North Dakota, leaving them unable to get appointments for care like wellness visits, mental health services, and substance disorder treatment.

• Worsen Social Security and Medicare Assistance Wait Times for 148,300 North Dakota Seniors. Under the House Republicans’ bill, people applying for disability benefits would have to wait at least two months longer for a decision. With fewer staff available, 148,300 seniors and people with disabilities in North Dakota would be forced to endure longer wait times when they call for assistance for both Social Security and Medicare.

• Eliminate 800 Preschool and Child Care Slots in North Dakota. This bill would mean 500 children in North Dakota lose access to Head Start slots and 300 children lose access to child care—undermining our children’s education and making it more difficult for parents to join the workforce and contribute to our economy.

• Jeopardize Health Coverage and Access to Care for 34,000 North Dakotans. It would put health insurance coverage—and health—at risk for 34,000 North Dakotans. Only one state has ever fully implemented similar policies, and nearly 1 in 4 adults subject to the policy lost their health coverage— including working people and people with serious health conditions—with no evidence of increased employment.

• Withhold Vital Transportation Infrastructure Funding. Under the House Republicans’ plan, North Dakota would stand to lose nearly $4 million in funding for transit and highway infrastructure projects all across the state.

• Cut Support for Students with Disabilities. Under this bill, as many as 17,000 children in North Dakota with disabilities would face reduced supports—a cut in IDEA funding equivalent to removing approximately 100 teachers and related services providers from the classroom.

• Slash Mental Health Support for Students. It would limit educators’ abilities to address student mental health issues, including through suicide and drug use prevention, by cutting funding dedicated to creating healthy learning environments in North Dakota schools by about $1.5 million.

• Raise Housing Costs for 2,000 North Dakotans. Under this bill, 2,000 families in North Dakota would lose access to rental assistance, including older adults, persons with disabilities, and families with children, who without rental assistance would be at risk of homelessness. The House Republican Default on America Act would also mean as many as 100 families across North Dakota who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or attempting to flee domestic violence would lose access to emergency housing vouchers.

• Cut 140 Rail Safety Inspections in North Dakota. At a time when train derailments are wreaking havoc on community safety, House Republicans’ plan would lead to 140 fewer rail safety inspection days and 400 fewer miles of track inspected in North Dakota next year alone. Since the Norfolk Southern train derailment, bipartisan Senators have called for more rail inspections, not fewer.

• Deny 4,500 North Dakotans Access to Workforce Development Services. The House Republicans’ plan would result in 4,500 fewer North Dakotans receiving job training and employment services provided through the Department of Labor’s workforce development funding. These harmful cuts would deprive businesses of the skilled workforce they need to thrive, and would cut off worker pathways to good jobs. 

Democratic-NPL leaders admonish anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law

Today, Governor Doug Burgum signed the last of the anti-LGBTQ+ bills to come to his desk. An unprecedented number of anti-trans bills have been introduced in legislatures across the country.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “This legislative session was exhausting and downright terrifying for North Dakota’s LGBTQ+ Community. Republicans used to believe in limited government and personal freedom. In signing these bills, Burgum once again betrays those ideals. The greatness of America lies in its guarantee to each of its citizens the freedom to be who they want without government interference. To our LGBTQ+ family, friends, and neighbors: we see you, we hear you, you are welcome here. You are wanted here. Your fight is our fight and we will never give up.”

In a similar vein, House Minority Leader Zac Ista remarked, “The flurry of hateful bills that we saw this session was mind numbing, but what we won’t do is become numb to the pain it’s caused countless North Dakotans. To anyone who is frightened or hurt by what we see here and across the country, know that this isn’t over. That’s why we’re committed to electing legislators in 2024 who will fight to protect your rights, not restrict your freedoms.”

The 68th Legislative Assembly adjourned on April 30, 2023. Fewer than half the anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in North Dakota, made it on to become laws.

Rep. Jayme Davis First Native American Elected To Leadership Position In North Dakota Legislature

Representative Jayme Davis (D-Rolette) has been elected Caucus Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL House Legislative Caucus, making her the first Native American to hold a caucus leadership position in the North Dakota Legislature. Her term in caucus leadership begins May 1, 2023.

“I am honored and humbled to serve my Democratic-NPL colleagues as their caucus chair,” said Rep. Davis. “During the 2023 legislative session, our caucus led the passage of nearly 40 laws and resolutions impacting the biggest issues facing North Dakota, like making investments in workforce development and childcare. I look forward to building off this success and helping to grow our caucus in the 2024 elections.”

Davis is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band Chippewa Indians. In 2022, she was elected to represent District 9a in the North Dakota House of Representatives. In the 68th Legislative Assembly, Davis served on the Human Services and Political Subdivisions committees. During her first legislative session, she led the passage of a law to codify the protections of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act into state law. She also authored a legislative study to combat racism directed at North Dakota high school athletes.

Davis replaces Representative Gretchen Dobervich (D-Fargo) as Democratic-NPL Caucus Chair. Rep. Dobervich held the position since 2018.

Dobervich remarked, “It truly has been an honor to serve the ND Democratic-NPL House Legislative Caucus. I am very excited Representative Davis has been elected by her peers to serve. She will add not only diversity to the minority caucus leadership team, but years of leadership experience and knowledge.”

ND Democratic-NPL House Legislative Caucus Elects New Leaders In Response To Term Limits

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL House Caucus has elected new leadership to serve during the 2023-2024 interim session of the 68th Legislative Assembly. Rep. Zac Ista (District 43, Grand Forks) has been elected Minority Leader, Rep. Joshua Boschee (District 44, Fargo) has been elected Assistant Minority Leader, and Rep. Jayme Davis (District 9A, Rolette) has been elected Caucus Chair.

Boschee, who has served as the House Minority Leader since 2019, said the caucus decided to elect new leadership for the interim in response to term limits adopted by North Dakota voters in 2022. “The Democratic-NPL House Caucus believes in intentional succession planning given the new reality of term limits,” said Boschee. “Bringing new leadership on board now will allow for ongoing mentorship, promote continuity of representation, and ensure adequate time for the new leaders to strengthen productive working relationships with the majority leaders and across state government ahead of the 2025 legislative session,” he added.

Ista, who has served in the House since 2020, expressed his excitement to serve and his gratitude for Boschee’s leadership. “I am humbled and honored that my Dem-NPL colleagues elected me to serve as Minority Leader,” Ista said. “Rep. Boschee is a great friend and mentor, and I appreciate the confidence he has placed in me to be his successor. The positive impact he has made both on our caucus and on public policy in North Dakota cannot be overstated, and I aspire to build upon that impressive legacy” added Ista.

Davis, who was first elected in 2022 and is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians echoed Ista’s excitement about her new opportunity. “I am excited to serve my Democratic-NPL colleagues as their caucus chair,” said Davis. “During the 2023 legislative session, our House caucus led the passage of nearly 40 laws and resolutions impacting the biggest issues facing North Dakota, like making investments in workforce development and childcare. I look forward to building off this success and helping to grow our caucus in the 2024 elections.” Davis is the first Native American elected to a North Dakota leadership position.

Davis replaces Rep. Gretchen Dobervich (District 11, Fargo) as Democratic-NPL House Caucus Chair. Dobervich held the position since 2018. “It truly has been an honor to serve the Democratic-NPL House Legislative Caucus. I am very excited Rep. Davis has been elected by her peers to serve,” said Dobervich. “She will add not only diversity to our caucus leadership team but also years of leadership experience and knowledge,” added Dobervich.

The regular session of the 68th Legislative Assembly concluded its work in the early hours of April 30. The newly elected leaders of the Dem-NPL House Legislative Caucus will serve until caucus leadership elections at the Organizational Session of the 69th Legislative Assembly in December 2024.

Legislative Food Fight Culminates in Win for School Lunches and ND Kids

Today, the Legislature passed SB 2284, which expands no-cost school meals to all North Dakota students from families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level. The policy mirrors language from Rep. LaurieBeth Hager’s (D-Fargo) amended school lunch bill, HB 1491. That bill originally would have provided no-cost lunches to all public school students. It was winnowed down to bring on GOP votes, but still failed to pass the Senate as a standalone bill.

Hager, who has led the charge for no-cost school lunches all session and helped revive the policy in SB 2284, said, “A hungry child is not a child that learns or behaves in the classroom. The Dem-NPL caucus has been fighting tooth and nail to make sure North Dakota children are fed. I’m so glad that we’ve gotten to this moment, but it’s startling how many hurdles this bill has encountered. North Dakota’s most essential legacy is our children and their education is our future.”

Earlier in the session, nearly 20 Republicans voted against Hager’s school lunch bill but voted to increase their own meal reimbursements. Even as SB 2284 came before the Senate for final passage, some Republicans continued to voice their inexplicable opposition to this commonsense policy. Sen. Judy Estensen (R-Warwick) described having to vote on the expanded school meals funding as “swallow[ing] a bitter pill.”

Rep. Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks), who introduced the companion bill to ban lunch shaming (HB 1494) strongly disagreed, saying passage of SB 2284 is one of the sweetest moments of this legislative session. “This isn’t a controversial idea in any part of the state other than in some extreme segments of the Capitol.” admonished Rep. Zac Ista. “I’m proud that our Democratic caucus has stood firm that we must pass lunch funding this session, and I’m proud we’ve gotten it done.”

Ista and Hager both credited a grassroots coalition of parents, educators, labor unions, school nutritionists, and many others with helping to get this policy across the finish line.  “Without the passionate voices of everyday North Dakotans from all corners of the state, this policy wouldn’t have gotten off the ground,” said Rep. Hager. 

Dem-NPL Influence Tax Bill Despite no Representation on Conference Committee

As the Governor signs the $515M tax bill, Sen. Merrill Piepkorn (D-Fargo) and Rep. Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) expressed relief that Democratic-NPL lawmakers were able to get needed changes to the bill, “Democrats’ ideas greatly influenced this final product. Democrats warned of the dangers of a flat tax and that it amounts to nothing more than a giveaway to the richest taxpayers. This bill recognizes that Democrats were right and moves away from the misguided flat tax. It’s far from perfect, but I’m glad to see the conference committee moved the income tax provisions to where they are now,” remarked Ista.

The property tax relief in this bill is much closer to Sen. Piepkorn’s proposal for a primary residence tax credit than it is to the complex mill buy down proposal favored by Republican lawmakers. It also expands the popular Homestead Tax Credit, which Democrats supported as bill co-sponsors this session. Piepkorn noted, “Democrats have always fought for a generous Homestead Property Tax credit, and this bill delivers on that goal. When I’ve been door-to-door talking to my constituents—my neighbors—the primary concern I hear is property tax, I’m glad we’re able to ease this burden.”

Ista emphasized, “The bill still has concerning long-term effects. This bill could have us on the hook for $600M in ongoing costs and reduced revenues. That’s money that can’t be invested in childcare, healthcare, or public education. We already see this session the growing gap between our revenues and our expenses; this bill will only widen that gap. The more we cut income tax, the more dependent we become on oil and gas taxes to make up the difference. That’s risky given the volatility of the oil market, whereas income taxes are stable. No one is clamoring for an income tax cut, and it’s very unclear why we insist on cutting taxes for wealthy North Dakotans especially. Believing the wealthy should pay their fair share isn’t class warfare, it’s common sense.”