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Welcome to a special midweek message from the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Insider, a newsletter that features regular updates about upcoming Dem-NPL events, legislative happenings, and news that affects North Dakotans!
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It's District Convention Time—Right now is a great time to get engaged or re-engage! Mark your calendars:
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District 2 – January 24 at 1 PM at Wildrose Fire Hall, 410 Main St, Wildrose
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District 24 – January 25 at 2:00 PM Gaukler Wellness Ctr, 733 8th Ave SW, Valley City
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District 25 – January 25 at Twin Town Tavern, 404 Dakota Ave., Wahpeton
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District 9 – February 1 at 2 pm at Sky Dancer Casino & Resort, 3965 Sky Dancer Way NE, Belcourt
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District 29 – February 1 at 2 PM at Pekin Community Center
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District 14 – February 5 at 5:30 pm at Hometown Tavern, 114 8th St W, Harvey
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District 15 – February 7 at 10:00 AM at Lake Region Public Library, 423 7th Street Northeast, Devils Lake
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Today's Midweek Message comes from Representative Austin Foss from Fargo's District 44. The North Dakota Legislature has convened for a special session to allocate federal funding.
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A Band-Aid for a Leg Amputation
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This week we convened in a special session to appropriate funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to support rural healthcare here in North Dakota. Thanks to the Rural Health Transformation Program funding — including roughly $199 million awarded to our state — we can invest in new programs that strengthen access, improve quality, and support the long-term viability of care in rural communities.
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While these dollars are a meaningful boost for rural health care in the short term, they do not fully address the broader cuts already underway at the federal level. The federal budget reconciliation law significantly reduces Medicaid spending over the coming decade, and these changes are expected to reduce the support that goes from Washington to states for healthcare programs. Independent analyses show that federal Medicaid support is being lowered dramatically, at least $1 billion in the next 10 years for our state, and rural hospitals and providers could face real financial stress as a result.
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That means even as we seize every available opportunity to invest in rural healthcare today, we cannot ignore the larger structural challenge: fewer predictable federal dollars and greater pressure on state budgets. I’ve heard from colleagues and community members alike that we should prepare for a tightened budget in the next biennium, driven by a volatile federal funding landscape and downturns in oil prices that affect state revenues all brought upon by an unhinged Trump Administration.
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On a more positive note, I am excited that this session also addresses the question of free school lunch. I want to congratulate all the hardworking advocates and everyday citizens who continue to work to put this item onto the ballot and sparked the conversation. That effort is exactly why this topic is on our agenda now, and investing in our kids’ well-being is a great use of public resources.
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As we work through these complex issues in the days ahead, the Democratic Caucus will continue to fight for rural healthcare, strong schools, and communities that thrive. We will keep looking for solutions that protect access to care and support North Dakotans across our great state.
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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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