Press Conference Thursday: Food Access and The CARES Act

BISMARCK, ND — On Thursday at 10 a.m., members of an Ad Hoc Committee on Food Access in North Dakota will hold a virtual press conference to propose allocating $53 million in CARES Act funding to address an ongoing need made worse by the covid-19 pandemic. As reported in multiple media outlets, Great Plains Food Bank has estimated a 44% increase in need network-wide.

The North Dakota Emergency Commission and Legislative Budget Section are expected to vote on spending a large potion of the state’s $1.25 billion federal CARES Act funding this month. The Ad Hoc group’s proposal outlines ideas and initiatives to help assure that all citizens have access to food while also building up our infrastructure and supply chains across the state to support our family farmers and economy.

The virtual press conference follows a memo proposing a three-pronged approach to Assuring Access to Food sent by Sen. Kathy Hogan to Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, and Department of Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones.

Assuring Access to Food

  • Enhance and strengthen the SNAP program for people with low incomes in North Dakota
  • Address food supply/distribution disruptions that are impacting many communities
  • Strengthen emergency food networks throughout North Dakota

Participants 

Sen. Kathy Hogan represents District 21 in Fargo. She worked in human services for more than 40 years, including with a range of food security programs. She is a former director of Cass County Social Services.

Karen K. Ehrens, RD, LRD is a food, nutrition, and health consultant and advocate who works with The Creating a Hunger Free ND Coalition.

Jacqueline Lormé lives in the Madison neighborhood in North Fargo and has personally experienced the food crisis and sees how it affects her own neighborhood. She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.

Rep. Ruth Buffalo represents District 27 in Fargo, is an enrolled member of the M.H.A. Nation, and is originally from Mandaree. She is a public health professional and educator.

To Attend

The virtual press conference is Thursday June 11 at 10 a.m. CT. Contact Alex Rohr, [email protected] for any log-in questions.

Zach Raknerud Wins Dem-NPL Congressional Primary

BISMARCK, ND — Zach Raknerud secured the Democratic-NPL nomination for North Dakota’s congressional district tonight with a resounding victory. Raknerud was endorsed as the Democratic-NPL candidate for Congress at the virtual state convention in March. 

Democratic-NPL Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“As a working class, lifelong North Dakotan, Zach knows the struggles working families face every day with access to healthcare and opportunity. He will be a present, active, and vocal representative who stands up for justice and accountability. He will go to Washington with your interests and your goals in mind in contrast to our current representative who has been all-but silent during the national crisis and unrest.” 

The election results also confirm the nomination of the Dem-NPL’s other six statewide candidates and 55 legislative candidates who will be on the ballot on November 3.

Oversen continued:

“Our candidates are incredibly excited and have been preparing for the run-up to November for months. During the covid-19 crisis, they have found new and creative ways to connect with voters who are ready for representatives dedicated to an economy and state government that work for all North Dakotans.” 

 

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Pete Buttigieg to Keynote Dem-NPL Virtual Governors’ Dinner 

BISMARCK, ND — The Democratic-NPL Party is excited to announce former Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg will keynote the 3rd Annual Governors’ Dinner. The event is May 28 at 5 p.m. and will be held virtually for the first time as part of continued physical distancing efforts. The full speaker lineup will be forthcoming.

The Democratic-NPL Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“We are incredibly excited to have Mayor Pete join us for our Annual Governors’ Dinner. Of course, we wish we could be holding the event in person, but continuing with physical distancing is the best decision for our candidates, supporters, and the public health. The switch to virtual campaigning is a challenge, but I’m proud of Dem-NPL ingenuity during this unprecedented time.”

About Mayor Pete:

Pete Buttigieg has served as two-term mayor of South Bend, Indiana and was a Democratic candidate for president of the United States in 2020. A graduate of Harvard University and an Oxford Rhodes Scholar, Buttigieg enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and became a lieutenant when he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2014. In April 2019 he announced his candidacy for president and in February 2020 won the Iowa Caucuses, becoming the first openly gay person to ever win a presidential primary or caucus.

About the Governors’ Dinner:

The Governors’ Dinner was first held in 2018 as a fundraiser and campaign event for statewide candidates, including former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp. Jodi Gillette, former Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs under President Barack Obama, was the first keynote speaker. Last year’s keynote speaker was champion bronc rider and former South Dakota state senator and gubernatorial candidate, Billie Sutton. 

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Dem-NPL Statement on Emergency Commission’s Covid-19 Spending Recommendations

BISMARCK, ND — The Emergency Commission held a specially scheduled meeting Tuesday to make recommendations on more than $524 million in CARES Act money to the Office of Management and Budget as well as millions in other federal money and expenditures. The Legislative Budget Section committee will vote on the allocation on Friday. North Dakota is receiving more than $1.25 billion in federal covid-19 relief funding.

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee and Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman, both members of the Budget Section, released the following statements:

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said:

“We support the commission’s recommendation because we know public employees need funding now and we support the work they’re doing to manage the crisis. But when North Dakota spends hundreds of millions of dollars, we need to ensure the public is able to provide input as part of the process, so we can have a relief plan that works for all North Dakotans. We need to take care of our small businesses and employers, but workers and families are the foundation of our communities and economy.”

Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman said:

“The reason we have three branches of government is to hold each other accountable. The reason we have local representatives from every county, town, and city is because each one has different needs and deserves a voice speaking on their behalf. Many small and regional nonprofits and agencies are doing a lot of work they wouldn’t normally do, and they also should be at the table. More than a billion dollars in federal money requires greater and earlier input and transparency, so it’s allocated equitably.”

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Next Emergency Budget Process Must Include Earlier Legislative and Citizen Input

BISMARCK, ND — The state of North Dakota released more than $541 million in budget requests for the Office of Management and Budget and other spending related to the state’s $1.25 billion in federal covid-19 relief funding.

Next week, the Emergency Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposal to the legislative Budget Section, which will then vote on whether to allocate the money to the state. 

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee and Sen. Minority Leader Joan Heckaman released the following statements.

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said:

“State employees have done phenomenal work pivoting to disaster relief and we support their need for immediate funding. This sum is also comparable to an eighth of our entire General Fund budget and the next allocation could be even larger. Going forward, the public deserves a process with earlier input from legislators and citizens if we’re going to wisely and transparently budget hundreds of millions of dollars before the end of the year.”

Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman said:

“It’s incredibly important for us to support our economy and the businesses affected by the pandemic, and we also need to remember the workers and families who suffered hardship because of the fallout. There are nonprofits stepping up in big ways to aid people all over the state, and they should also be welcomed to the table in future discussions for spending relief funds.”

 

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Dem-NPL Statement on Coal Creek Station Plant Retirement

BISMARCK — Great River Energy announced today it would close McLean County’s Coal Creek Station plant in 2022, although a sale to another coal operator may be in the works.

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee and Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman released the following statements.

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said:

“Great River Energy has been an amazing partner to our state with the investments they continue to make in their all-of-the-above energy portfolio. Market demands for low-priced natural gas and consumer demand for renewable energy drive these decisions. So regardless of whether North Dakota can secure a buyer and keep this important community driver open, we must work together to secure good jobs, help diversify the local economy, and support the workers, their families, and communities directly impacted.” 

Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman said:

“Hopefully, a new company will be able to keep this plant operating and its workers employed. At the same time, our response should involve preparations and investments that ensure this community and every other in North Dakota will always have opportunities for good-paying jobs and fulfilling work. Companies like Great River Energy have and will continue to be major assets to North Dakota, but we need to be investing in a diversified economy.”

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State Employees Earned Job Security; Past Time to Learn from Prior Shortfalls 

BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Burgum today announced his proposed budget guidelines for the 2021-2023 biennium. House Minority Leader Josh Boschee and Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman released the following statements.

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee said:

“North Dakota’s state employees have done an amazing job supporting our citizens through this crisis, although they didn’t always have the resources they needed for the job required of them. A promise not to cut any full-time state employees would show the gratitude they’ve earned. They deserve to know their jobs are secure, and they need to be included in developing solutions to the budget crisis we are facing.”

Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman said:

“Determining what programming is essential and what is optional will again be an incredibly challenging task because of forces outside of our control. It’s past time to learn the lessons of previous years and not only balance the budget, but to invest in North Dakotans in a way that diversifies our economy and supports existing industries, so we’re not in this position again.”

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Dem-NPL Statement on Plan to End Covid-19 Business Closures

BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Burgum today announced guidelines for certain businesses to re-open after being closed by his executive order related to the covid-19 pandemic. On the same day, the North Dakota AFL-CIO and related organizations put forward a proposal that puts worker safety at the forefront of any and all economic re-opening. 

Dem-NPL Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“As restaurant employees, barbers, and stylists head back to their jobs, while other workers are directed to work from home if possible, we need to recognize that all of us have a responsibility to them and each other. That means not only taking personal safety precautions, but also supporting paid family leave, so everyone can take time off when they’re sick or need to take care of a family member.  Without these precautions and stronger policies in place, we’ll be back where we started.”

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Gov. Burgum Ready to “Dial Up a Little Risk” With North Dakotans’ Health

BISMARCK, ND — Gov. Burgum announced today businesses previously closed by his executive order as a result of the covid-19 pandemic would be able to re-open this weekend under certain criteria he will announce tomorrow. During the press conference he said North Dakota was read to “dial up a little risk.”

Dem-NPL Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“The governor said today he’s fine taking greater risks with the health of North Dakotans, and we hope people don’t get sick or die as a result. We’re concerned he’s caving to orders from Washington and those in his party who have publicly refused to follow his executive order any longer. We will hold judgment until the new rules and guidelines are announced.”

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Eviction Protections Lifted: Time for Gov. to Issue Moratorium that Protects Working Families

BISMARCK, ND — The North Dakota Supreme Court amended the order halting eviction hearings to now allow evictions, which means North Dakotans who have lost employment through no fault of their own and lack other resources, may now be ordered out of their homes. Rent is due a week from today, and renters only get three days notice to vacate. North Dakota ranked near the bottom nationally for covid-19 housing policy even before the court lifted its order.

Last month, distressed renters, advocacy organizations, religious groups, and the Dem-NPL called on the governor to enact a moratorium on evictions, foreclosures, late rental fees, interest, and penalties as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. 

Gov. Burgum declined to issue the moratorium, leaning on the court’s order, which still allowed landlords to pressure tenants into leaving. He said renters would be better off when CARES Act relief arrived. Unemployment payments have stalled for weeks, and many small business owners were not able to access PPP loans because of gaps in the program.

Rep. Mary Schneider, who sent a letter to the governor calling for the moratorium, said:

“This is an outrageous betrayal that impairs the housing security of vulnerable North Dakotans. Thousands have been without a paycheck for a month and are still waiting for the unemployment payments promised to them. Their savings are being decimated, if they have any at all, and they’re afraid of what’s going to happen next. They’re not asking for a handout, only the security that the moratorium would provide. The governor no longer has an excuse for not issuing an executive order, or any of a number of actions taken in other states to prevent needless homelessness.”

 

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The Wait Continues for Unemployment Benefit Payments

BISMARCK, ND — Today Gov. Burgum said unemployment benefit payments for those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic might finally be sent to North Dakotans next week.

Last month, groups of distressed renters, advocacy organizations, nonprofits, and the Dem-NPL urged the governor to sign an executive order and moratorium on evictions, late rental fees, and foreclosures. Renters asked for security to know that they could stay in their homes through the pandemic and that they wouldn’t go into debt while they’re out of work through no fault of their own.

On March 30, Burgum declined this request and told renters they would be in better shape after federal relief programs took effect. During that time, many small business owners and independent contractors have been unable to access PPP loans and many others have been unable to receive unemployment payments leaving them worried about their financial security.

Democratic-NPL Chairwoman Kylie Oversen said:

“Job Service has a challenging job and we know they’re working hard with an outdated system, but many North Dakotans are hanging on by a thread. A month ago, the governor indicated support was on the way, but today he said to keep waiting. Our workers and families deserve something tangible.”

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North Dakota’s Oil Market Response Must Focus on Families, Small Businesses, and Communities that Rely on Industry 

BISMARCK, ND — North Dakota is facing possibly unprecedented budget challenges as the oil market crashed this week. The plunge follows an international price war as well as dropping oil use during the covid-19 pandemic. 

The energy industry has been integral in creating good-paying jobs and funding for North Dakota’s roads, schools, and other infrastructure projects.

Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman said:

“We’re committed to finding solutions that focus on the families, small businesses, and communities who rely on the energy industry for good-paying jobs. The industry has been a partner for years and we will continue to work together. We also should acknowledge the need to grow and diversify our economy and budget sources, so that we don’t face a storm like this one again.”

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