It was only last year when Jon Godfread was standing tall when North Dakota entered into a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Godfread even admitted to assisting the Attorney General’s office in the lawsuit. Godfread also stated that “we’re years away from a decision on (the Texas Lawsuit.)”
Not even one year later, the Texas Court ruled the ACA is unconstitutional and the Department of Justice is arguing that the entire law is invalid, putting 316,000 people with pre-existing conditions at risk of losing coverage.

“I doubt North Dakotan’s care how tall their Insurance Commissioner is, but they do care if their Insurance Commissioner is trying to take away their health insurance” said Alison Jones, Communications Director for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL, “Jon Godfread was elected to help North Dakotans, keep their health insurance and keep it affordable. If Commissioner Godfread would rather be the state’s cheerleader for an out of state lawsuit that risks coverage for almost half of North Dakotans, his efforts to stay continue as Insurance Commissioner will fall short…which is an unusual experience for him.”

One would think it would be a good thing for North Dakota to have a voice on combating climate change, but North Dakotans have to wonder if Kelly Armstrong will be putting his interests above theirs. Roll Call reports that Congressman Armstrong has earned at as much as $1.1 million from his oil business and owns at least 289 oil wells worth between $2.9 and $11.5 million. The committee Congressman Armstrong sits on oversees fossil fuel development.

“Kelly Armstrong promised North Dakotans that he was going to go to Washington to fight for them,” said Alison Jones, Communications Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. “However, only three months into his term he is already brazenly sitting on the committee responsible for overseeing his vast financial empire. Kelly Armstrong promised North Dakotans he was going to Washington to ‘Drain the Swamp’ and work for them, but in record time he’s already become a member of the swamp and is working for himself.”

She cited major consumers and advocates coming to the capital to speak for the reason 15 major proposals are currently going through the legislative process. Many programs look at expanding targeted case management for children, and by working with the education committee, expanding behavioral health services in schools. Hogan states they are currently “in the process of deciding based on the new revenue forecast what can really do address the crisis.”

Hogan also spoke briefly about the passage of “Operation Prairie Dog” saying the process was “very collegial, and bipartisan. Local and state government worked together to find a plan that I think is mutually agreeable.” The bill is on the way to the governor’s office.

Click here to watch the entire interview.

(Bismarck, ND)– Federal funding for military projects to the tune of $98 million could have been lost, due to Senators Cramer and Hoeven’s blind loyalty to the Administration.Two projects, including a helicopter facility in Minot, and a National Guard Readiness Center in Fargo were sanctioned for the fiscal year 2019. President Trump’s emergency declaration would put those projects at risk if the border wall funding were not blocked by the Senate. However, today Senators Cramer and Hoeven put the needs of the Administration before North Dakota’s by voting against repealing President Trump’s national emergency.

“Over two weeks ago Kevin Cramer claimed that he and Senator Hoeven were in a position to ‘maximize the incredible contributions that this state makes to the security of our country’ but by voting to cost North Dakota $98 million in military funding, neither Cramer or Hoeven are interested in helping North Dakota keep our country safe” said Scott McNeil, Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. “With their votes today to risk $98 million in military funding for North Dakota, Senators Cramer and Hoeven made our military less strong and our country less safe.”

Several Republicans have vowed to vote to overturn the emergency declaration because they are aware of the financial impact it will have on their state. The memo apparently has not reached the desk of Kevin Cramer or John Hoeven, as they have shown the people of North Dakota that nothing comes before party, even if it means putting our national security at risk.

Bismarck ND – The North Dakota Dem-NPL would like to announce that the 2020 Delegate Selection Plan is now available for public comment. The Dem-NPL Presidential Caucus will be held March 10th, 2020 from 11 am to 7 pm CST and from 10 am to 6 pm MST. The Caucus will be held one week after Super Tuesday. The Presidential Caucus will be firehouse style, where voters can cast a ballot at certain locations throughout the state to vote on Caucus Day. The locations will be in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Minot, Wahpeton, Valley City, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Williston, MHA Nation, Spirit Lake, Turtle Mountain, and Standing Rock. The party will also run a vote by mail program. Voters can request their ballot starting on January 20th, 2020. Ballots must be postmarked by March 3rd, 2020. The public has 30 days to make comments and suggestions on the delegate selection plan, which can be submitted by e-mail to [email protected].

“The Dem-NPL is committed in making sure that the 2020 North Dakota Caucus and the delegate selection process is open, transparent, fair, and accessible to anyone who wishes to participate” said Warren Larson, Chairman of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. “With a historically large field, we know the eyes of the nation will be on North Dakota on March 10th as Dem-NPLers throughout the state select our next President. I join my fellow Dem-NPLers in welcoming the Democratic candidates to North Dakota to share their vision for our state and the rest of rural America.”