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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 laura.dronen@demnpl.com. 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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Prairie Public Funding
Good news! Rep. Jorin Johnson's (R-41) bill (HB 1255) to DEFUND Public Broadcasting was defeated in the Senate!
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However, the North Dakota House REMOVED funding for Prairie Public from this year’s biennial budget! Keep pressure on your lawmakers to RESTORE Prairie Public’s funding in the budget!
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Keep Public Dollars in Public Schools!
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Next week, Rep. Ben Koppelman's (R-16) bill (HB 1540) that would divert public funds to private schools had a hearing in the Senate Education Committee. Your Senators need to hear from you!
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Democratic-NPL Bills
Senator Josh Boschee's (D-44) bill (SB 2377) to ensure a preferred provider arrangement may not restrict a covered person from receiving or paying for covered services and Senator Tim Mathern's (D-11) resolution (SCR 4024) to ask Legislative Management to study using dedicated funds in the capitol building fund to build a legislative office building both passed the House.
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Rep. Jayme Davis' (D-9) bill (HB 1564) to update our state's Indian Child Welfare Act law (which she passed two years ago!) passed the Senate.
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What's Coming Up?
Keep Public Dollars in Public Schools!
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A similar bill to HB 1540 has a hearing in the House Education Committee on Tuesday, March 18. Sen. Michelle Axtman's bill (SB 2400) narrowly passed the Senate and can be stopped in the Ho
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Stop Book Bans!
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Sen. Keith Boehm's bill (SB 2307) is about censorship full stop. Our librarians shouldn't have to worry about facing CRIMINAL CHARGES because one patron doesn't like a book. North Dakotans could also lose access to e-book/audiobook apps like Hoopla and Libby and our students could lose access to academic journals. Tell the committee to give SB 2307 a DO NOT PASS recommendation.
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Democratic-NPL Bills
Rep. Mary Schneider's (D-21) bill (HB 1567) proposing a legislative management study to improve access to dental and oral health care for low-income children, Native American children, and individuals with disabilities has a hearing in the Senate Human Services at 9:00 AM.
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Sen. Kathy Hogan’s (D-21) bill (SB 2200) to establish a 988 Suicide Hotline Stabilization fund will be heard in the House Human Services Committee at 9:00 AM.
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Sen. Josh Boschee's (D-44) bill (SB 2239) to create a grant program to support apprenticeship programs throughout the state has a hearing in the House Industry, Business and Labor at 9:30 AM.
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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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Letter: Legislators are attacking ND public schools
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Some privatization promoters are spreading lies about our public schools. Let's set the record straight with two key, documented facts:
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1. FACT: North Dakota's public schools rank among the best in the nation, with strong academic performance and national recognition.
2. FACT: Our public schools already offer a wide range of innovative education-choice options and have the capacity to efficiently expand opportunities, all within the public system -- without diverting any funds to private or charter facilities.
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Costs of child care now outpace college tuition in 38 states, analysis finds
Study also found that child care prices have exceeded rent in 17 states, including North Dakota
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In North Dakota, the average cost child care cost for households with a 4-year-old child was $873 a month, the report found.
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The analysis also found child care costs have exceeded rent prices in 17 states and the District of Columbia. In North Dakota, infant care costs 5.5% more than the average rent, according to the report.
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John Strand talks with Kara and Faye about the LGBTQ+ population
Joel Heitkamp is out of the office, and Fargo City Commissioner John Strand takes his place for the day. He's joined on "News and Views" by Faye Seidler and Kara Gloe to talk about LGBTQ+ populations in North Dakota. Faye is a suicide prevention advocate that specializes in LGBTQ+ populations, and Kara is an affirming/anti-oppression therapist working primarily with the LGBTQIA2S+ community and people living with HIV/AIDS.
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University of North Dakota among colleges named in federal racial discrimination probe
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The University of North Dakota is among 45 colleges at the center of a U.S. Department of Education probe for allegedly “engaging in race-exclusionary practices” in their graduate programs.
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The department’s Office of Civil Rights announced the investigation, which encompasses the flagship universities of nearly two dozen states as well as elite institutions like MIT and Yale, in a Friday press release.
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Letter: Protecting NOAA is a critical public service
However, this legacy of bipartisan support is now under threat, as the Trump administration implements drastic budget cuts. While these cuts may appear to be fiscally prudent, they undermine the critical data relied upon by farmers, municipalities, aviation and other industries. Such indiscriminate reductions lack the necessary expertise and foresight.
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It is deeply concerning that Congress, including representatives from the Grand Forks NWS service area, has allowed these cuts to be directed by an unelected and unaccountable official. Senators Cramer, Hoeven, Klobuchar and Smith, along with Representatives Fedorchak, Fischbach and Stauber, must take a clear stand to protect the National Weather Service and NOAA.
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North Dakota lawmakers discuss forming Ireland trade commission
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Sponsored by Rep. Mary Schneider, D-Fargo, House Bill 1568 outlines the "North Dakota Ireland trade commission" as consisting of two House representatives, two senators, a representative of the agriculture commissioner's office, the executive director of the state trade office and someone that leader appoints. Each member would serve a two-year term.
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The group would meet two to four times per year to discuss opportunities for "mutual economic support" — namely through trade, investment and academic exchanges. Outcomes of those meetings would be reported to legislative management yearly.
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Check out these posts from the national Democratic Party
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We’re Well Past Alarm Bells
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The Trump White House did not abide by Boasberg’s order to turn the planes around. It claims the planes were over international waters and, incorrectly, thus no longer subject to his jurisdiction. But even if there was no direct violation of the rule of law, the next day featured several vocal demonstrations of contempt of it. The Trump administration seems aggrieved by the idea they’d be restricted in any way by any judge. It feels like a matter of time before they simply, brazenly, refuse to be.
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One trusts that the United States isn’t going to go the way of Germany in the last century. But the slope toward lawlessness is a slippery one, and we have an administration that is eagerly leading us down it. There are still footholds we can grab onto in order to arrest the precipitous decline that lies ahead. But we are already partway down the hill, and the pace of decline is accelerating.
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Appeals court denies Trump’s bid to immediately reverse fired federal workers’ reinstatement
A federal appeals court in a 2-1 decision Monday declined to immediately block a judge’s order that the Trump administration reinstate fired probationary employees at six federal agencies.
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The new ruling, which does not address the legality of the firings, refuses the administration’s request for an administrative stay that would temporarily freeze the ruling until the next stage of the appeal.
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Deported family of U.S. citizen girl recovering from brain surgery alleges civil rights abuses in new complaint
A family that was deported to Mexico is requesting an investigation into abuses they say they faced in U.S. detention, according to a civil rights complaint first obtained by NBC News. The mixed-immigration status family, including four U.S. citizen children, one of whom is a 10-year-old girl recovering from brain surgery, are in an area of Mexico where, they say, they fear for their safety.
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ICE Deports Student for Protesting
Green cards are meaningless to Trump admin
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Trump’s Defiance of the Courts Just Took a Radical Leap
Just as troubling is the Trump administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The archaic founding-era law allows the president to make proclamations that allow entire groups of foreign nationals, on a country-by-country basis, to “be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as alien enemies.” The law does not allow the deportation of anyone 13 years old or younger or naturalized U.S. citizens. Beyond that, however, it is exceptionally broad and direct.
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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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