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During the 69th Legislative Assembly, North Dakota Democratic-NPL Insider will provide updates and calls to action each day of the regular session. If you would like to have something added to the newsletter, email us at [email protected]. Spread the word of our newsletter by sharing our sign-up link today: https://demnpl.com/join-our-newsletter/.
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What happened today?
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LGBTQ+ Rights
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Rep. Bill Tviet's (R-33) resolution (HCR 3013) to urge the United States Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, to change the definition of marriage to a union between one man and one woman had a hearing today. There was plenty of powerful testimony against it. Tell your Senators to oppose HCR 3013 and HB 1430.
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Democratic-NPL Bills
Two of Sen. Josh Boschee’s (D-44) bills passed the House today: SB 2229 which would require timely disclosure of key documents to buyers before the purchase of a condominium unit or property within a homeowner’s association (HOA) or condominium project and SB 2332 calls for legislative management study of grant funding for emergency services and public safety.
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Rep. Mary Schneider’s (D-21) bill (HB 1529), which would qualify former Peace Corps volunteers for in-state tuition at North Dakota’s colleges and universities, passed the Senate!
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What's Coming Up?
Democratic-NPL Bills
Sen. Josh Boschee's (D-44) resolution (SCR 4018) to create a memorial dedicated to volunteer and career Emergency Medical Service responders who died in the line of duty is scheduled for a vote in the house tomorrow.
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Rep. LaurieBeth Hager's (D-21) bill (HB 1518) to change the law so you do not need to use a blinker to signal that you are exiting a traffic circle will have a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee at 10:00.
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Rep. Mary Schneider's (D-21) bill (HB 1504) to allow veterans organizations to donate funds to the
veterans' postwar trust fund for homeless veterans' services to prevent and eliminate
veteran homelessness has a hearing in the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs at 10:30.
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Follow Along!
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Did you know you can watch along with these hearings or watch them later on your own time?
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Help us spread our message—share these recent posts!
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North Dakota Senate debates bill to allow conversion therapy by social workers
Currently, licensed social workers in North Dakota are prohibited from providing conversion therapy. However, Alison Traynor, president of the state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, warns that research overwhelmingly shows the practice is harmful.
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“Treatments which seek to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of youth have been shown to increase suicide risk and other negative health outcomes,” Traynor said.
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Port: Massachusetts anti-LGBTQ group organized North Dakota resolution against same-sex marriage
When HCR 3013 was under consideration in the House, most North Dakotans, including this one, believed that it was a bad idea born in North Dakota. But, as it turns out, the resolution is actually part of a hate campaign orchestrated by a bigoted organization on the east coast.
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I should note, here, that a recent survey commissioned by the North Dakota News Cooperative showed that a majority of North Dakotans — 56% — agreed with the Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage. Just 36% of the respondents said they support HCR 3
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Legislators hear testimony on allowing charter schools in North Dakota
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“North Dakota is still having a challenging time recruiting and retaining the teachers we need to meet our needs,” said Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, the state's teacher's union. “It is difficult to see how we are going to have enough qualified and licensed teachers for both our existing public schools and charter schools.”
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Archuleta also cited statistics from the National Center for Charter School Accountability in his testimony that shows 25% of charter schools close within their first five years and 40% close by year 10. This sets up dangerous situations for rural school districts, he said.
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Grand Forks Air Force Base removes web content celebrating Black history, LGBTQ+ Pride
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Removed content includes a news release and a Facebook post on Pride Month celebrations held on-base in 2023 and a Facebook video featuring Black airmen discussing the significance of Black History Month in February 2021.
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A video posted on Facebook commemorating a naturalization ceremony held for several 319th airmen was also taken down, though a media release remained available on the air base’s website as of Monday.
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Among the posts removed from the base’s website is a retrospective written ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2024 defending diversity and inclusion initiatives as a bulwark against political polarization.
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Check out these posts from the national Democratic Party
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'A catastrophe': Democrats sound off on Trump's cuts to Education Department
The state leaders warned that a dismantled or even weakened Education Department could hurt school budgets and result in inflated class sizes, fewer resources for students in special education programs, and problems recruiting and retaining teachers.
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“Linda McMahon might be the most unqualified person to ever speak about public schools in this nation’s history,” said Walz, referring to Trump’s recently confirmed Secretary of Education.
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Trump says Ireland cheats the US as its leader joins him to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
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Martin countered that the trade relationship is “a two-way street,” adding that Ireland’s two largest airlines buy more aircrafts from Boeing Co. than anyone else outside of America.
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More than 700 Irish companies are also based in America, creating thousands of jobs, Martin said. “That’s a little known fact that doesn’t turn up in the statistics,” he added.
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Committees
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Every bill is voted on in the North Dakota legislature, but first, it must go through a committee hearing. The committee will vote to give the bill a "Do Pass" or a "Do Not Pass" recommendation. Below is a list of Standing Committees this legislative session.
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Senate Standing Committee Members
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Meets Monday through Friday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Desiree Van Oosting (R-36)
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Desiree Van Oosting (R-36)
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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House Standing Committee Members
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Gretchen Dobervich (D-11)
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Cynthia Schreiber-Beck (R-25)
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Meets Monday through Friday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Cynthia Schreiber-Beck (R-25)
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Patrick R. Hatlestad (R-1)
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Mike Motschenbacher (R-47)
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Gretchen Dobervich (D-11)
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-4A)
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Lawrence R. Klemin (R-47)
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Patrick R. Hatlestad (R-1)
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Lawrence R. Klemin (R-47)
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Mike Motschenbacher (R-47)
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-4A)
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The Century Club supports our year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.
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Help us elect great Democrats up and down the ballot!
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The North Dakota Democratic-NPL is launching a new grassroots program called “Neighbor to Neighbor” where volunteers will connect with voters in your community to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. As a volunteer, you will be responsible for connecting with voters in 25 homes in your neighborhood or friends and family to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot about 3-4 times this year.
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Grassroots organizers are the lifeblood of the Dem-NPL! Sign up to volunteer with the Dem-NPL!
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