COVID-19 Announces New Running Mate: All of NDGOP

Bismarck, ND – Yesterday was a dark day in North Dakota’s storied history. The NDGOP, overtaken by rabid legislators fixated on stripping local control informed by lies from fringe right wing media, took the opportunity to overturn Governor Burgum’s veto in order to take power from our local communities to fight against COVID-19, and for potential new strains to spread faster and unchecked in the future.

Sen. Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) is someone who literally caught COVID-19 last year, but still found an opportunity to ensure that public officials in his community are unable to protect their constituents against this virus, and careless legislators like him. The NDGOP, led by hysteria and hatred, had an opportunity to redeem themselves but instead pressed forward with a bill that will demonstrably make you, your family, and your neighbor’s lives less safe.

Democratic-NPL Executive Director Michael Taylor spoke against the veto override:

“North Dakotans are completely exhausted. We are exhausted by the constant struggle to have our state government do even the most basic things that will help our state prosper, our neighbors feel safe, and our local communities have jurisdiction over how they protect themselves. Maybe it’s ignorance or they’re just intentionally negligent to their responsibilities, but North Dakota at one point last year had the worst COVID-19 outbreak in the world. Not 10th, not 20th, the absolute worst and that was because of the NDGOP’s obsession with doing the wrong thing for our state. People lost their lives because of their continued inability to lead. From Senator Cramer’s arrogance to moral grandstanding from Rep. Skroch, the NDGOP is addicted to doing the opposite of good for us.”

Taylor continued:

“North Dakotans, let me make this clear to everyone – this is what happens when the NDGOP is in charge of our state legislature and your tax dollars. While Dem-NPL representatives introduced legislation like workers compensation for essential workers who caught COVID, the NDGOP decided that their time was better spent actively encouraging the virus to spread across the state. I believe North Dakota will be better tomorrow than it was yesterday, when these legislators are out of office and away from controlling our lives.”

Chair Oversen Releases Statement on the Verdict in Chauvin Trial

Bismarck, ND – Today, Democratic-NPL Chair Kylie Oversen released the following statement in regards to the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin and the murder of George Floyd:

“Along with many of you, I held my breath and watched the Judge announce the verdict yesterday. I and the entire Democratic-NPL were thankful to see George Floyd’s murderer being held accountable, even though we knew there was no outcome of the trial that would give George Floyd back to his family. Back to being able to create memories, to laugh with, to grow old alongside his loved ones. We hold his family in our thoughts and our hearts today in hopes that this moment in history will begin a new chapter in holding law enforcement accountable when they abuse the people, and communities, that they are supposed to protect.

“The entire world stood aghast as we watched a police officer kneel on George Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes. While we hope the family finds peace for this moment, we must always remember those 9 minutes as we continue to fight back against mass incarceration, finding an end to rampant gun violence, and deconstructing the systemic issues that led to George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Breonna Taylor and an endless list of others being murdered.

“We continue to grieve the loss of George Floyd, but we also move forward in our fight for justice. We demand that our elected officials work to pass laws which strengthen and uplift marginalized communities, reform our approach to policing, and bring forward justice and peace.”

NDGOP Endorses COVID-19 For Another Term!

Bismarck, ND – In an ongoing battle against science, evidence, and common sense, the NDGOP decided to pass HB 1323, limiting mask mandates and stripping local control of how best to deal with public health. The bill now sits on Governor Burgum’s desk, while Dem-NPL leaders as well as local officials, medical professionals, teachers, workers and those who wish to not catch COVID-19 are calling on him to reject the rabid members of his own party and veto the bill. Nothing short of a veto would be a ringing endorsement of comments from members like Rep. Hoverson (R-Minot), who shockingly compared North Dakota to a prison camp.

Democratic-NPL Executive Director Michael Taylor responded to the legislation:

“HB 1323 is yet another piece of hardware in the trophy case of the NDGOP’s legacy of destructive bills. Bills like these act only to continue the spread of a virus that our businesses, teachers, hospital staff, grocery workers, and more have suffered through long enough. Not only does this bill open the door for COVID-19 to maintain its grip on our state, but it would also blatantly strip local control from communities who know who to best serve their people.”

Taylor continued: 

“Governor Burgum has a choice with this legislation. Either he can relinquish his own executive authority and allow extremist legislators to stranglehold our state, or he can protect North Dakotans by vetoing this bill. There is no middle ground. The radical right is on a rampage in our state and without a veto, they will do everything in their power to strip all local control and let COVID-19 continue to harm our communities.”

Governor Burgum Must Veto Anti-Business, Anti-Trans HB 1298

Bismarck, ND – The NDGOP legislature yet again opted to act, not on behalf of the betterment of North Dakota businesses, athletes, and members of the trans community, but rather in the interest of hatred and of economic peril. Across the country, discriminatory bills like HB 1298 are working directly against the interests of local businesses and communities, trying to solve a problem that does not exist. When tourism officials have shown North Dakota lost $1.2 billion dollars last year during a pandemic, it appears that the NDGOP’s solution to severe revenue loss is to cost communities and businesses additional revenue loss.

Democratic-NPL Executive Director Michael Taylor responded to the legislation:

“We are calling for an immediate veto of this horrific bill from Governor Burgum. The Governor has an opportunity to show that, despite his party being run by the most rabid among them, there is still a line which he will not allow to be crossed. North Dakota communities have sacrificed so much during this pandemic, and now they’re going to be penalized by the NDGOP because they are fixated on legislating cold-blooded hatred. Hatred for the trans community and for our local communities, businesses, workers, and neighbors.” 

Taylor continued: 

“Those in the legislature are frothing at the mouth to demolish our chance at a full economic recovery. Whenever the opportunity to do the right thing comes up, the NDGOP and Governor Burgum routinely choose to shoot themselves in the foot. Governor Burgum, are you unable or unwilling to listen to the countless athletes, transgender community members, tourism leaders, economists, hotel staff, and others who are warning you? Are you willing to stake the entirety of your legacy on a bill rooted in bigotry to leave our communities worse off than before? Veto this bill.”

Dem-NPL Leaders say Infrastructure Legislation Good for North Dakota

Bismarck, ND – The Senate has approved legislation to respond to growing infrastructure needs in North Dakota. The final vote was 46-0 in favor. The concept was first proposed by Dem-NPL leaders last summer during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill (HB 1431) authorizes the use of $680 million in infrastructure bonds to finance local projects. This gives cities and local governments a way to spread out the costs of these projects over several years through a series of low-interest bonds. Bonding also frees up money for priority needs that cannot be bonded for, like education, human services, and other government functions as the state faces likely budget cuts. Bonds would be repaid over time using earnings from the Legacy Fund.

Democratic leaders called for a special session last summer to ensure 2020 CARES Act funding was allocated fairly across North Dakota and to consider passing bonding legislation to respond to the effects the pandemic was having on the economy. A bonding bill introduced by Dem-NPL leaders earlier this year was defeated by the Senate. That bill would have left the decision-making on the types of projects that would be financed to state and local governments. The GOP proposal, however, earmarks much of the funding to specific projects.

Sen. Tim Mathern (D-Fargo), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the original sponsor of the Dem-NPL bonding bill, expressed support for the new legislation. “We are encouraged that our Republican colleagues now see the need for these kinds of programs.”

Rep. Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) echoed that sentiment saying “These may not be popular ideas for some legislators, but we have to make decisions that improve the livelihoods of North Dakotans. Not just industries or major corporations, but families, education, and health and human services.”

Sen. Joan Heckman (D-New Rockford) continued, “We need to think differently about how we do government. These bills provide us the tools to use creative financing to fund priorities that maybe aren’t always popular, but would be good for making North Dakota a more competitive and more inviting place for people to live and work.”

 

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Daniel Stone joins the Dem-NPL as Communications Director

Bismarck, ND – The Democratic-NPL Party is excited to announce Daniel Stone as our new Communications Director. Daniel has worked in Democratic politics since 2017, including managing the Senate campaign of Marquita Bradshaw. During his political experience, Daniel has worked in several statewide races in Tennessee, taking on roles in policy, communications, and campaign management.

He also fought and organized for labor rights of grocery workers during the pandemic. As ND continues to experience a workforce development crisis, Daniel comes in with a background and knowledge of the needs of hard working families, and the struggles they have faced during the pandemic.

Democratic-NPL Executive Director, Michael Taylor said:

“Daniel brings a wealth of campaign, organizing and communications experience to the Dem-NPL, and North Dakota as a whole. Much of his political work has been focused in rural counties and understanding what issues are most important for their future, and the future of their families and communities.”

Daniel Stone can be reached at [email protected].

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Tourism Leaders Warn Anti-Trans Legislation Could Cost North Dakota Billions

Bismarck, ND – Tourism leaders across the state warned the North Dakota legislature that if HB 1298 passes, North Dakota could find itself desperate for economic growth. The travel, tourism and hospitality economy was rocked in 2020 – but instead of bolstering legislation that helps your small business, your coworkers, and your communities recover, the NDGOP is fixated on passing laws that harm transgender North Dakotans.

As tourism leaders point out, the brief rebound we have seen in the hospitality and tourism industry is from the inclusion of youth sports. If this law were to pass, groups like the NCAA could opt to move events from our state, leading to severe economic losses. After a year of sacrifice from our small businesses, our restaurants, our hospitality industry and our athletes, why is the NDGOP unwilling to pass laws that tangibly improve the lives of North Dakotans and stop peddling hatred?

Democratic-NPL Executive Director Michael Taylor responded to the legislation:

“The NDGOP has put North Dakotans through this shameful display time and time again. The legislature is infected by a radical group of elected officials that are both uninterested and unable to look at the actual problems North Dakotans face, and work to solve them. The premise of a representative government is actually pretty simple, but when bills like HB 1298 get passed, the NDGOP creates new ways of failing the people they’re supposed to represent.”

Taylor continued: 

“Make no mistake, tourism officials warn that after a year of losing $1.2 billion dollars in revenue, bills like this will only worsen the effects on our small businesses, our favorite local restaurants, our hotels, our LGBTQ+ community, as well as our athletes who just want to play the sports they love. It’s a testament to the ineptitude of the NDGOP when our legislature is filled with rabid ideologues fixated on wasting your tax dollars on pointless and unconstitutional bills, a governor who is more concerned with buying political seats than protecting people, and a US Senator in Kevin Cramer who tells you how to live your life while he takes $174,000 a year in taxpayer money to the bank. If the consequences of their lunacy weren’t so devastating, you’d almost have to laugh at it.”

NDGOP Effort To Maintain Spread Of COVID-19 Passes

Bismarck, ND – At a time when North Dakota is seeing coronavirus cases jump 53% over the last 14 days, the radical Republican-led legislature is leaving North Dakotans across the state on their own as this virus continues to rage. One of the bill’s biggest champions was none other than predatory abuser Luke Simons. Considering that the NDGOP had to be pressured into removing Simons from office – in spite of long-documented allegations regarding his disgusting actions against women – how can they expect North Dakotans to trust their judgment on public safety?

Today, we see once again that the priority of this legislature is to ignore the evidence and put North Dakotans further at risk. The NDGOP is so fixated on passing legislation that demonstrably worsens our lives that even Governor Burgum, who spearheaded the worst COVID-19 response in the world, has been made submissive to the whims of his own party.

Democratic-NPL Party Chair Kylie Oversen responded to today’s vote:

“We have seen how resilient North Dakotans can be during the course of this pandemic. Communities have come together, showing gratitude for friends and family for doing their part, and supporting grocery stores, schools, hospitals, and small businesses. We have kept our commitment to beating this virus while sharing a smile from behind our masks because that’s what North Dakotans do. We fight for our families, for our communities and for our way of life.” 

Oversen continued: 

“What the NDGOP did today was double down on the rejection of facts, and evidence, and have put people at an increased risk of catching this deadly illness. We will not overcome this pandemic by sticking our heads in the sand as further lives are lost.”

ND Supermajority Subverts Constitution Again, Forces Religion on Families

Bismarck, ND – Today, far-right extremists in the State House – led by Rep. Terry Jones (R-New Town) – opened up a pandora’s box of legal, and ethical crises by enabling unconstitutional religious indoctrination to be forced upon students in public schools without parental consent.

SB 2308, which is in direct violation of the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment, would allow for the Ten Commandments to be displayed on the walls of classrooms in public schools all across the state – a proposal which no public school district, nor church, spoke in support of during testimony. The bill passed by a 76 to 16 vote, affirming that a supermajority of House and Senate Republicans do not believe in the principles of our Constitution. 

Democratic-NPL Party Chair, Kylie Oversen, said:

“These self-anointed prophets of the NDGOP highlight the exact reason why the Framers of the Constitution explicitly forbid the entanglement of Government and Religion. These legislators – in both chambers – knew they were voting for a bill that had already been ruled unconstitutional, and would be immediately met with lawsuits that would drain taxpayer funds from the state, and public school districts. Even worse, they denigrated their own faith by dismissing the Ten Commandments as nothing more than a ‘historical document.’”

Oversen continued:

“This legislation takes power away from parents and families to determine how, or if, their children will practice worship. If you can display the precepts of one religion, then anyone’s personal belief system could also be advertised on a classroom wall without input. In the future, we encourage our NDGOP counterparts to open up a book on constitutional law before wasting taxpayer funds to trample on the Bill of Rights, religious freedom, and individual liberty all in one swift session.”

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Democratic-NPL to NDGOP Legislature: Withdraw HB 1298

Bismarck, ND – Following a bizarre, off-the-rails rant from Sen. Janne Myrdal (R-Edinburg), the North Dakota Senate amended HB 1298 to a study on a 32-15 vote. The bill will now go to a conference committee.

The bill – which has drawn comparisons to North Carolina’s infamous HB2 for its senseless targeting against transgender persons – seeks to bar students from participating in school sports based on their gender-identity. The overwhelming backlash against HB2 caused severe economic, legal, and political repercussions in the state, until its eventual repeal. The same repercussions are expected in North Dakota if HB 1298, in its original form, should become law.

Democratic-NPL Chair, Kylie Oversen, responded to today’s action:

“While hatred was spewed on the Senate floor today, the NDGOP quickly attempted to save face. But the honest truth is, we don’t need a study to tell us what we already know: HB 1298 serves no other purpose than to dehumanize transgender persons. As similar legislation is enacted in other states, we can already see the number of lawsuits being drafted in real time. Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars on this bigotry, the NDGOP should cut their losses and rescind this detestable piece of legislation.”

Oversen continued:

“HB 1298 is nothing less than clear-cut civil rights abuse, as well as a gross invasion of privacy. If the extremist legislators who pushed this bill get their way, legal action and economic backlash will likely follow as a consequence. Today’s decision gives the legislature one last chance to avoid that fate; and instead show some compassion, and political courage, by rejecting this measure entirely. Regardless of how many times the NDGOP tries to move the goalposts, let there be no question about it: HB 1298 is evil. HB 1298 is heartless. HB 1298 is cruel. The Dem-NPL condemns it wholeheartedly, and we pledge to continue standing proudly alongside the transgender community in the fight for inclusion, liberty, and justice.”

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Statement of Dem-NPL Legislative Leaders on Potential Sale of Coal Creek Station

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman (D-New Rockford) and House Minority Leader Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) released the following statement on the potential sale of Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station power plant.

“Hundreds of hard-working North Dakotans depend on this plant for their livelihood. When Great River Energy announced it would be closing Coal Creek, it was uncertain how the community could offset the economic loss. We are encouraged that talks are underway to continue operating the plant. Coal Creek is a national example of how we can responsibly develop our state’s abundant natural resources and develop innovative technologies to minimize the effect on the environment.

While the Nation debates the future of coal, this news is a sign that North Dakotans can still come together to support jobs, economic development, and strong communities with our all of the above energy strategy.”

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Extremist Senate Judiciary Committee Says “Yes” to Legalizing Discrimination

Bismarck, ND – In a move that degrades the character of our state, and its people, the radical NDGOP-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday handed down a “do pass” recommendation for HB 1298, which would codify discrimination in youth sports on the basis of gender identity.

In a shameful attempt to make it state law to target, segregate, and erase trans persons, HB 1298 and its backers have sparked widespread condemnation from youth sports groups, and state tourism boards, alike. The 6-1 vote sets up a contentious battle in the North Dakota Senate this week, which will determine whether we will be known for our compassion, and our decency, or by an unjust law forced upon us by a group of legislators compromised by extremist hate groups.

Democratic-NPL Party Chair, Kylie Oversen responded to today’s vote:

“In times of great turmoil in our Country, we believe the good people of North Dakota have always strived to be on the right side of history. From the founding of our country, many of our forebears risked their lives to escape discrimination and oppression. They created communities based on the principles of individual liberty and the freedom of self-determination. Today they would find themselves wholly ashamed by the fact that, in the 21st Century, hate has been legislated into the laws of our state. Sadly, radicalism and shameless intolerance has become an all-too-common trend in legislatures across the country.”

Oversen continued:

“The fundamental right to our own identity, and to be able to live out our lives as we truly are, is sacred. Discrimination against transgender individuals is as reprehensible and unacceptable as discrimination on the basis of sex, or color, or religion, or creed. We cannot – and must not – allow despicable legislation such as this to be accepted. If we stand silently, and permit this miscarriage of justice to take away the individual liberties and the identity of transgender youth, then – much like the states that long embraced Jim Crow – we, our children, and the children yet to come will carry the tarnished legacy of this bill for all time.”

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL proudly stands with the transgender community, and all of our LGBTQIA friends and family. We strongly encourage all North Dakotans to contact their state senators and urge them to vote down HB 1298. 

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