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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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The Senate passed Rep. Bill Tveit's (R-33) bill (HB 1144) to fine schools that don't comply with North Dakota’s bathroom law from 2023 that was meant to target trans students. The Senate amended the bill to take out the more stupid provisions. We'll see if the House accepts these amendments or if it will go to a conference committee.
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What's coming up?
| Sen. Keith Boehm’s (R-33) book-banning bill (SB 2307) was discussed in the House Appropriations Committee, but they didn't take action on it. 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 your Representatives to VOTE NO on SB 2307! |
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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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Tyler's Take: Instead of Trying to Limit the ND Ethics Commission, Legislature should use Public Examples to Bolster the Commission
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There have been at least 2 high-profile abuse of office in North Dakota as of late. First, Rep. Jason Dockter was found to have violated the law in his conduct of appropriating tax dollars to the Attorney General's building he was involved in. Second, the sentencing of former Sen. Ray Holmberg described his corruption and abuse of office for decades.
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These examples should lead to more support for the North Dakota Ethics Commission created by voters. Instead, politicians are trying to tie the hands of the Commission.
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Letter: To allay fears in Farm Country, USDA cuts need to be rescinded
There is real fear in Farm Country regarding our current inputs, markets and program assistance. The bulk of reassurance comes from dedicated USDA employees who help us navigate through trying times. Cutting staff delays certainties that are needed to assist farmers in person.
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North Dakota holds steady on marijuana penalties
Sen. Ryan Braunberger, D-Fargo, was among those who voted in favor of the measure.
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“Neighboring states are starting to legalize it more and more, so smaller amounts of possession are going to get more prevalent,” Braunberger said.
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Former North Dakota lawmaker convicted of sex crime not filing an appeal
Former North Dakota state Sen. Ray Holmberg does not intend to appeal his federal sex crime conviction or 10-year prison sentence.
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Holmberg, a Republican who served 45 years in the state Legislature, was sentenced March 26 after he pleaded guilty to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
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Letter: Where are we going as a country?
The Trump tariffs are decimating the stock market, affecting our retirement accounts and devastating our future and living. His claim to bring jobs back to the U.S. may happen but it will take years to build the factories needed to create those jobs. We will suffer as our retirement savings are reduced or destroyed!
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McFeely: Major outdoors retailer REI regrets 'mistake' in supporting Doug Burgum
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"Many of you shared your disappointment and frustration with that decision, and I hear you," Laughton said, pointing out she's only been REI president since March 31. "Let me be clear: Signing that letter was a mistake."
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"The actions that the administration has taken on public lands are completely at odds with the longstanding values of REI. While this happened before I arrived at the co-op, I am here today to apologize to our members on behalf of REI, to retract our endorsement of Doug Burgum and to take full accountability for how we move forward," she said.
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Check out these posts from the national Democratic Party
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Trump’s CHILLING New Exec. Orders Are Meant To Scare His Own Admin (w/ Andrew Weissmann)
Trump ordered the DOJ to investigate two former officials he regards as enemies—this comes on the heels of his efforts to intimidate law firms from taking on clients who oppose him. Andrew Weissmann joins Tim Miller.
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Abruptly Eliminating Social Security Phone Services Threatens Access to Benefits
Telephone services are critical for seniors and people with disabilities, who may struggle to access online portals and may face barriers to traveling to field offices (if one even exists in their area). Many Social Security beneficiaries don’t drive while others have mobility issues that make getting to in-person appointments difficult or burdensome, even if they do not live great distances away. Nationally, it’s estimated that over 6 million seniors don’t drive, and nearly 8 million seniors report a medical condition or disability that makes it difficult to travel outside the home.
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U.S. stocks slump again as euphoria over Trump's tariff pause fades
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 2.5% after surging close to 8% on Wednesday. The S&P 500 fell more than 3%, while the Nasdaq lost just over 4% after each index had also soared a day earlier.
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The declines on Thursday underlie how much uncertainty still remains about what Trump will do about tariffs given that he left others in place, including a 10% tariff on most countries. He also ratcheted up his tariffs on China to 145% so far in this term when including all that he has already imposed.
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Sen. Chris Murphy on the Crisis Facing Our Democracy
This week we're bringing you an interview from our friends at the New Yorker Radio Hour. It's a conversation between host David Remnick and Democratic congressman Chris Murphy. Murphy is the junior senator from Connecticut and a vehement critic of leaders in his party who've taken a "business as usual" approach in dealing with the Trump administration. He opposed Chuck Schumer's negotiation to pass the Republican budget and keep the government running and Murphy advocated for the democrats to skip the president's joint address to congress en masse. He believes that his party has a winning formula if they stick to a populist anti-big-money agenda and he despairs that some in his party aren't responding appropriately to what he sees as a crisis.
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'Game of chicken with no end': China and EU respond to Trump's sweeping tariffs
A new Reuters poll shows 57% of adults oppose President Trump's tariffs. Meanwhile, China and the European Union have both hit back with their own tariffs against U.S. goods. Republican strategist Lance Trover and former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp join José Díaz-Balart to discuss.
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Why the Trump Team Keeps Turning ICE Raids Into Reality TV
But Noem brings it fully into the far-right “meme factory” era, into which this administration gleefully crossed when the White House posted its version of an ASMR video—typically filled with sounds that soothe the viewer—of people being cuffed, chained, and forced onto a removal flight in February, as if the sounds of metal-on-metal-on-human are just another variation on the satisfying smack of products being decanted in perfect kitchens. Its apotheosis-so-far would be the video made late in March inside the prison in El Salvador where the United States unlawfully banished nearly 300 immigrants. Noem was placed in front of a cell crowded floor to ceiling with bunks of men, heads shaved, with another row lined up and shirtless directly behind her. She’s in full but modified glam: Her hair is blown out and perfectly waved and highlighted under her DHS ball cap, and her body-skimming athleisure is accessorized with a $50,000 Rolex gleaming on her wrist.
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Democrats Accuse Trump and His Allies of Profiting Off of Tariff Flip
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Gallego and Sen. Adam Schiff sent a letter Thursday to the White House chief of staff and the U.S. Office of Government Ethics requesting an “urgent inquiry” into whether Trump, his family and other members of his administration engaged in “illegal financial transactions informed by advanced knowledge of non-public information regarding his changes to tariff policy.”
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The senators wrote that Democrats have “grave legal and ethics concerns” with Trump encouraging users on Truth Social to buy stocks while stock market prices were low Wednesday morning and then pausing the tariffs without warning just hours later.
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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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