Dem-NPL Statement On Tentative Railway Labor Agreement

After nearly 20 hours of in person negotiations at the Department of Labor, rail companies and unions have a tentative agreement, averting a potential railway strike.

President Joe Biden said, “For the American people, the hard work done to reach this tentative agreement means that our economy can avert the significant damage any shutdown would have brought. With unemployment still near record lows and signs of progress in lowering costs, tonight’s agreement allows us to continue to fight for long term economic growth that finally works for working families.”

Democratic-NPL Chair Patrick Hart was glad to see the tentative agreement and remarked,  “We’re very excited to see this agreement. At the peak of harvest, North Dakota farmers rely on rail access to feed the world. These rail workers quite literally keep our country moving forward, and I’m grateful to see their hard work is being recognized with better pay, improved working conditions, and peace of mind around their health care costs.”

“Our country relies on our railroad transportation workers to keep supply chains moving. The hard work and long hours they put in are vital to our nation and our economy. The Dem-NPL is overjoyed to see their work rewarded with a much-deserved wage increase, along with the ability to take sick leave without fear of losing their jobs. We applaud President Biden, the Department of Labor, the rail companies, and the unions for coming together on this important compromise, and averting a shutdown,” added Dem-NPL Executive Director Tyler Hogan.

Dem-NPL Celebrates Passage of Inflation Reduction Act

As President Biden celebrates Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act becoming law at the White House today, North Dakota Democratic-NPL leaders reflect on how it will help North Dakotans.

Democratic-NPL Party Chair Patrick Hart lauded, “The Inflation Reduction Act has two amazing highlights that stand out amongst the once in a lifetime changes the Biden Administration delivered on in the first half of the term. First, capping insulin costs at $35 is much needed relief that hits home. These products are produced at less than $10 per unit and have been marketed in the US for over $300. This isn’t patriotic to squeeze citizens for profit. Second, allowing Medicare to negotiate with prescription drug companies will allow a significant reduction of cost for everyone in the supply chain. The fact they couldn’t was a sticking point for Republicans designed to tank the viability of The ACA. This change you will feel at the counter picking up prescriptions. Once again Democrats deliver.”

Senator Tim Mathern of the Health Care Committee remarked, “The Inflation Reduction Act puts a cap on prescription costs for persons on Medicare which will benefit almost 100,000 North Dakotans. This is awesome for our citizens.”

District 4a House Candidate Lisa Finley-DeVille said, “The passage of the IRA is a historic moment for the United States, North Dakota, and Fort Berthold Reservation. The bill provides the much needed tools and incentives to combat climate change, lower prescription drug costs, and other forces driving inflation. This truly is a once in a lifetime law.”

Here’s how North Dakotan’s will be affected:

  • Protect Tens of Thousands of North Dakotans from Catastrophic Drug Costs by Capping Medicare Beneficiary Out-of-Pocket Costs in Part D at $2,000. Currently, Medicare beneficiaries with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and lung disease can face thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, and millions of people in Medicare struggle to afford their medications. The Act will require Part D plans to offer improved financial protections that would phase in starting in 2024, with the $2,000 out-of-pocket cap taking effect in 2025. Each year, that will benefit about 5,200 North Dakota Medicare beneficiaries who would otherwise have out-of-pocket costs above the cap, according to estimates from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). And, for the first time, all 97,000 North Dakotans with Medicare Part D will have the peace of mind of knowing their pharmacy costs are capped.
  • Save North Dakota Medicare Beneficiaries Money by Capping Insulin Copays at $35 per Month. Drug manufacturers have raised insulin prices so rapidly over the last few decades that some Medicare beneficiaries struggle to afford this life-saving drug that costs less than $10 a vial to manufacture. Starting in 2023, the legislation will cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries at no more than $35 for a month’s supply. Some 7,000 North Dakota Medicare beneficiaries used insulin in 2020.
  • Lower Energy Costs for North Dakotans. The Inflation Reduction Act will make it more affordable for North Dakota families to purchase energy efficient appliances when they need to, make repairs around their homes, and save money on their utility bills each month, through:
    • Rebates covering 50-100% of the cost of installing new electric appliances, including super-efficient heat pumps, water heaters, clothes dryers, stoves, and ovens. In North Dakota, hundreds of thousands of low- and moderate-income households are eligible for rebates.
    • Rebates for households to make repairs and improvements in single-family and multi-family homes to increase energy efficiency.
    • Tax credits covering 30% of the costs to install solar panels and battery storage systems, make home improvements that reduce energy leakage, or upgrade heating and cooling equipment. No income limits apply.
    • Tax credits covering 30% of the costs of community solar projects—owned by local businesses that sign up families to save on their electric bills—with additional bonus credits of 20% for projects at affordable housing properties and 10% for projects in low-income communities.
    • Grants to help state and local governments adopt the latest building energy codes, which would save the average new homeowner in North Dakota 26.5% on their utility bills—$728 annually.
  • Increase Domestic Manufacturing. Manufacturers employ 26,200 workers in North Dakota, and the Inflation Reduction Act will help us make the technologies of the future at home—supporting local economies and strengthening supply chains. The Inflation Reduction Act will boost U.S. manufacturing of clean energy and transportation technologies, as well as investments for a new Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program to position America to lead the growing global market for clean steel, aluminum, cement, and more.
  • Create more resilient communities. The Inflation Reduction Act will upgrade affordable housing, including projects that boost resilience in the face of intensifying extreme weather. In North Dakota, thousands of people live in affordable housing units that are eligible for upgrades like flood-proofing and storm resistance, as well as clean energy and electrification. A new Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program includes support
    for transportation projects and planning to protect against flooding, extreme heat, and more. The Inflation Reduction Act also invests in strengthening America’s forests, including programs focused on preventing wildfires and for tree planting projects that help protect communities from extreme heat.

Dem-NPL lawmakers support childcare improvements, push for more

Democratic-NPL lawmakers expressed support for the childcare proposals shared today but said more may be required to address the crisis.

“As long-time champions for making childcare more accessible and affordable in North Dakota, we support these proposals, and we believe they don’t go far enough because of the scale of the crisis,” said Sen. Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo).

Rep. Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) agreed that the childcare crisis is serious and pressing.
“Childcare is an incredibly urgent issue for families and the business community right now,” Ista said. “Businesses are desperate for workers – but parents can’t go to work if they can’t find a safe place that provides quality care for their kids. And families who can find childcare are struggling to pay for it. The legislature must quickly and fully address the problems of childcare availability and affordability.”

Besides expanding on the ideas presented today, Rep. Gretchen Dobervich (D-Fargo) said additional ideas should be considered, including foundational funding for childcare facilities similar to the K-12 funding model, administrative assistance to home-based daycares, and expanded pre-K. “The current childcare model isn’t working, and we can’t just tinker around the edges. The state must act boldly to stabilize childcare to help families and businesses,” Dobervich said.

Sen. Joan Heckaman (D-New Rockford) noted that both rural and urban areas are short on needed care. “We see a lot of creative and innovative solutions to the childcare shortage in our rural communities, but it’s simply not enough to meet demand,” Heckaman said. “Childcare is an essential part of our economic infrastructure. Our communities can’t operate without it. The state is financially healthy, so we have the resources to solve these problems. In fact, we can’t afford not to address these problems.”

Dem-NPL lawmakers have proposed several bills to improve childcare over the years, but unfortunately Republicans in power did not act to prevent today’s crisis, Hogan said. In 2019, Rep. Pam Anderson (D-Fargo) and Sen. JoNell Bakke (D-Grand Forks) each proposed bills providing a corporate income tax credit for employers who reimbursed employees for childcare expenditures. In 2019 and 2021, Rep. Karla Rose Hanson proposed creating a state-facilitated paid family leave program with contributions from employees and employers. In 2019, Rep. Ruth Buffalo (D-
Fargo and Horace) introduced a bill to increase the eligibility rate of the childcare assistance program to 85% of the state medium income level and to fund that additional assistance.

“Many Republican lawmakers will continue to resist any ideas that address the childcare crisis,” Ista said. “Childcare is on the ballot this fall. We need to send people to Bismarck who will invest in kids, families and workforce solutions in North Dakota.”

Dem-NPL Lawmakers dismiss Burgum Tax Proposal as “Just another giveaway to the wealthy”

After Governor Burgum revealed a proposal relating to income tax today, Democratic-NPL lawmakers expressed doubt that it would provide meaningful relief for North Dakotans, and fear it will further hurt already beleaguered services North Dakotans rely on.

House Minority Leader Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) emphasized, “We support lower taxes for working and middle class families in North Dakota, and supported tax relief in the special session. We are open to discussing support for continued temporary tax relief, while balancing the other priorities facing North Dakotans. We need long-term tax stability to address the issues facing every community in our state. At this point, I don’t think a permanent, flat tax is the answer and is a big gamble with North Dakota’s future.”

Senator Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo) said, “Income Tax is the fairest tax of all for everyone—We already have a low rate and eliminating the infrastructure for income tax simply will jeopardize the long term option for it when oil revenue is gone and will primarily benefit the richest in the state.”

“I’ll work with anyone to lower taxes for hard-working North Dakotans who need it most. But this proposal is just another giveaway to the wealthy. Worse, it fails to address the real problems that keep hard-working North Dakotans up at night. It does nothing to solve the state’s childcare crisis. It does nothing to put or keep more teachers in the classroom. It does nothing to bring down prices at the pump, at the grocery store, or at the pharmacy. And it does nothing to bring down the property taxes that drive seniors from their homes. That’s why this proposal is out of whack and out of touch with middle class families in North Dakota.” said Representative Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks).

Representative Marvin Nelson (D-Rolla) reamed Burgum’s plan, “The Republican plan has continued to be cut taxes, especially for out of state corporations when it booms.Then cut services and drive people out of the state when the bust comes. Despite all the talk, recruiting people to come back has been a horrible failure. This is why your community doesn’t have the necessary daycare capacity. This is why rural North Dakota is left without infrastructure for business and government services. This is why mental health care continues to be ignored. This is why local governments continue to need property tax increases and special assessments. Right now, federal money is funding several state programs the administration is bragging about, no plan exists other than get your vote now and then dump the programs or fail to cut taxes.”

 

Dem-NPL Chair Reacts To Governor’s So-Called “Red Tape Reduction Working Group”

After Governor Burgum announced a “Red Tape Reduction Working Group,” Democratic-NPL Party Chair Patrick Hart reacted skeptically saying, “Burgum has made a habit of creating initiatives that are all talk and no substance, and in at least one case literally left North Dakotans out in the cold. If the Governor is truly committed to meaningful reforms that modernize our state government — without gutting essential services — we’ll applaud it. However, until we see real positive innovation, we’ll take this announcement with a grain of salt.

There are ways this could be done well. For example, ITD could change their programing processes to help streamline the work of the numerous agencies that go through them. Why hasn’t that happened yet?

Agencies operate in individual silos, and don’t communicate or share best operational practices, but we can’t just look at administrative strategies for change, there are outdated laws and rules that create these bureaucratic nightmares. We have incredible state employees that are somewhat handcuffed with the century and administrative codes they oversee. Until the actual laws change, we’re not going to see a massive difference.

Burgum’s been trying to ‘reinvent’ government for the past five years, why is this just happening now?”

Dem-NPL Lawmakers, Candidates applaud signing of Inflation Reduction Act

Today, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. The new law will help to reduce inflation and lower health care and energy costs for North Dakota families – and does not raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000 a year

U.S. Senate Candidate Katrina Christiansen remarked, “This will lower energy costs, insulin cost, reduce the deficit, and families who make less than $400,000 won’t pay a penny more in taxes. In fact, the only people who have proposed raising taxes on Americans earning under $400,000 are Senate Republicans through Rick Scott’s terrible plan. Time and time again, Hoeven sides with big pharma and big energy over North Dakotans. The Inflation Reduction Act will fund innovations in energy and manufacturing here on American soil.”

U.S. House Candidate Mark Haugen mentioned, “The Inflation Reduction Act will bring much needed support to working families and seniors, through the ACA insurance subsidy extension, as well capping the out pocket prescription costs, and insulin for our seniors. I am also glad to hear that Medicare can now negotiate prices directly with drug companies.”

Secretary of State Candidate Jeffrey Powell said, “The Inflation Reduction Act represents a historic breakthrough. The American people and the people of North Dakota will undecidedly benefit from the investments in this Act. The immediate effect of the new law is lowering the cost of prescription drugs while addressing price gouging and other supply chain problems. Those who view this from a political lens are more interested in points scoring than in delivering for all of us. Families benefit when we close tax loopholes and ensure the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share, and the IRA does that without raising taxes on any family making less than $400,000. Democrats believe in democracy, in personal and equal rights, and in a government that works for the people. The Inflation Reduction Act delivers!”

“This is a milestone achievement that will bring down prescription costs and improve American’s standard of living during these tough times,” remarked Attorney General Candidate Tim Lamb.

Senator Tim Mathern, a member of the Appropriations Committee, said this is the best medicine to decrease inflation, “finally Congress has passed a bill that reduces the deficit!”

District 4a House Candidate Lisa Finley-Deville said, “The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is a good first step to battle man-made climate change. In addition, the bill will help everyday people like voters in District 4a by lowering drug prices and the inflationary forces that are impacting pocketbooks.”

“The Democratic leadership has listened to North Dakota. Our seniors will realize a reduction in out-of-pocket expenses, and large corporations will begin to pay a fair tax bill,” emphasized Thomas Passa, candidate for State House in District 20.

Inflation Reduction Act:

  • Lowers prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices and capping out-of-pocket costs for seniors to $2,000.
  • Lowers energy costs by hundreds of dollars on average for many families, increases cleaner energy production, and reduces carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent in less than 10 years.
  • Locks in lower health insurance costs by $800 on average for 13 million Americans who get their insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchanges.
  • Fights inflation by reducing the deficit by hundreds of billions.
  • Makes big corporations pay their fair share – without raising taxes on families making under $400,000 a year.
  • Helps tackle the climate crisis as the most significant legislation in U.S. history to cut pollution, advance environmental justice, and improve American energy security.
  • Create good-paying jobs –making solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles across the country.

Dem-NPL Senate Candidate Christiansen blasts Hoeven incompetence, Becker extremism

On Monday morning, State Rep. Rick Becker entered the U.S. Senate Race as an “independent conservative,” making it a three-way race among him, John Hoeven, and Katrina Christiansen.

Christiansen, the Democratic-NPL candidate, said, “Becker entering the race indicates just how weak Hoeven is—the whole federal delegation is the weakest one ND has ever had. At least with Becker we know where he stands—unfortunately it’s with the thoughtless knee-jerk wing of the GOP that wants more to remove subsidies for farmers and freedoms from women and the LGBTQ community. With Hoeven, we never know. He is a weather vane waiting for his orders or a sense of popularity. All of our federal delegation has risen to level of their own incompetence.”

Christiansen continued, “I look forward to Becker’s entrance into the race. It only amplifies the myth of John Hoeven. He has only done two good things in the senate. He won the seat. And he pushed for lower lease payments around the reservoir—otherwise he has been focused on doubling his wealth. This is an opportunity for North Dakota to elect a real problem solver, someone who is used to hard work.”

AG Candidate Lamb applauds N.D. Supreme Court Decision in Landowners’ Rights Case

Tim Lamb, candidate for North Dakota Attorney General, applauds the recent North Dakota Supreme Court decision in favor of landowners’ rights. In Northwest Landowners Association v. State, 2022 ND 150, the Court held that landowners’ sub-surface land rights are protected by the constitution. The case challenged a new law giving sub-surface rights or what is called “pore space” to oil companies drilling the area. The Supreme Court held that the law was unconstitutional. Lamb agrees. He said, “This case is a good example of the exploitation of landowners’ rights. It’s a bright day in North Dakota when the highest court rules in favor of landowners over big oil interests.”

Lamb also says, “if I’m elected, the North Dakota Industrial Commission will be balanced with a voice of reason on it.” The Industrial Commission is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General and Ag Commissioner. Lamb will welcome landowners to the table for their advice. He advocates for open and transparent government at all levels.

Lamb practices law in all state and federal courts in North Dakota, is a 20-year Army veteran and retired Major, has a Master’s degree in management, was on the Grand Forks School Board for 15 years, and is a fifth generation North Dakotan. He is married and has two sons, and lives in Grand Forks.

Dem-NPL Lawmakers Request AG Opinion to Clarify ND Abortion Law

Two Democratic-NPL lawmakers today requested an opinion from North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley to clarify the state’s abortion restrictions.

Reps. Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) and Karla Rose Hanson (D-Fargo) said conflicts in statute could result in doctors not treating life-threatening ectopic pregnancies or victims of rape requiring permission from a spouse to obtain an abortion, so clarity is needed for the medical and legal communities.

“A formal opinion from our attorney general can resolve the conflicts and inconsistencies in abortion-related state laws that no doubt will create confusion for medical and legal professionals,” Hanson said. “The last thing we want is for a health care provider to hesitate in a medical crisis because they face potential legal jeopardy. Delaying or denying care in emergency situations, like an ectopic pregnancy, could put a pregnant person’s life at further risk.”

On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in its decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a right that had been in place for 49 years. The North Dakota legislature passed a so-called “trigger” law in 2007 designed to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturned Roe v Wade. Wrigley’s certification of the law means that it will be a Class C felony to perform an abortion in North Dakota beginning Aug. 26.

A separate section of North Dakota Century Code called the Abortion Control Act, which became law in 1975, specifies that the treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is an exception to the definition of an abortion, meaning it would be a lawful procedure. However, the 2007 trigger ban does not provide any exceptions at all, including for ectopic pregnancies. When two separate laws conflict, the more recently enacted law, like the trigger ban, normally controls.

“Under the trigger ban, all abortions will be illegal, without any exceptions,” Ista said. “That means physicians can be charged with a felony for performing an abortion even if done to save a woman’s life or the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. In those circumstances, the trigger ban puts the high burden on the doctor to prove an affirmative defense to the felony charge. This means the doctor is guilty until proven innocent. That’s a risk doctors should never have to take when providing emergency health care.”

North Dakota’s abortion laws also could be read that if a married woman becomes pregnant as the result of rape, she would need her spouse’s written consent in order to obtain an abortion, even if her spouse is the person who raped her.

“Absurd and dangerous scenarios like these are what happen when lawmakers prioritize their extreme ideologies over sound public policy,” Hanson said. “Abortion is a deeply personal decision that should be made without interference from lawmakers.”

Ista added, “Women’s lives and doctor’s livelihoods will be at risk because of the trigger ban. If the Attorney General is unwilling or unable to provide clarity on these conflicts in existing law, these risks will be even higher. Either way, the legislature must act next session to protect women and their healthcare providers.”

Sens. Heckaman and Potter demand answers at Press Conference Thursday

Calls for investigations mount as Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman and D-35 Senator Tracy Potter demand answers regarding multiple issues that have engulfed the Attorney General’s office over the past few weeks.

“There seems to be a lack of authority to even lease this building, let alone pay for improvements to a building the state does not even own. The benefits of the overrun will only enhance the value of that building for the owners—which is not the state. Also, the committee heard from Mr. Boyle, Facility Manager, that he was unaware of this project. I go back to the old game show on TV, The Weakest Link. There certainly were some weak links here, and I am asking the Governor and Attorney General to initiate a complete investigation into this matter immediately,” urged Heckaman.

Potter sent a letter to the Attorney General’s office on July 26, 2022 noting laws that appear to have been broken when former AG Stenehjem’s email account was deleted.

“We’re seeking legislative solutions. It is better to ask these questions of the Attorney General today, so when we meet on August 24—that’s the next meeting of Government Administration—we’re dealing with answers, not questions.” Potter said, “There are state laws in place. They were violated. They were ignored”

Heckaman also brought up mysterious circumstances about her removal from the Appropriations Subcommittee. “I served in Appropriations and on the subcommittee for the AG’s Budget. I could not recall this happening but just before the conference committee with the House on this budget, former Senator Holmberg removed me from that subcommittee and replaced me with Sen. Mathern, who had not been part of any of this subcommittee work over several weeks. Why did that happen? Did I ask the wrong question or the right question? I don’t know.”

At the end of her speech, Heckaman thanked the media for bringing as much information forward to the people of North Dakota through your work. “The citizens do not have the luxury of attending every committee or subcommittee work. That is our job as legislators, but you have done an excellent job of bringing issues forward.”

Heckaman emphasized, “I’m going to amplify my original request to the Governor and current Attorney General to begin a complete investigation, including the Information Technology Department, who actually did the deleting. Someone is not informed on policies and procedures and that needs fixing, but a complete investigation with an audit of the lease and overrun needs to be done immediately. The longer we wait, the more evidence that fades away.”
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“Outrageous and Baffling” says Dem-NPL Chair on Attorney General Drew Wrigley Refusal to Call for Outside Investigate into Deleted Email Account

On Friday, Democratic-NPL Party Chair Patrick Hart said, “It’s outrageous and baffling that Drew Wrigley has decided not to investigate this further. Is he trying to hide something? Democrats and Republicans across the state have called for this. What is going on?”

Yesterday, Tim Lamb, candidate for North Dakota Attorney General, demanded that an independent special prosecutor be appointed to conduct an investigation into the intentional deletion of the former attorney general’s entire email history.

The facts in this instance indicate that the day after Wayne Stenehjem died, his entire attorney general state government email account was ordered to be completely deleted for the purpose of denying anyone from accessing that information from a government records request under open records laws .

Lamb says, “an independent special prosecutor should be appointed to: 1) ascertain why this matter was only recently discovered; 2) determine if any laws were violated; 3) establish accountability and policy review of this matter; 4) find out why there was a huge cost overrun on a rehab project that triggered the email request from the press; 5) determine if there were any procurement policies that were violated in the lease and rehab of the additional office space building for the ND Attorney General’s Office; 6) make a report of the findings and recommendations; and finally, 7) present the report to the press, governor and legislative sub-committee.”

“Justice will be served if these steps are taken,” emphasized Lamb.

Dem-NPL Federal Candidates Christiansen and Haugen blast opponents for spineless inaction on Jan 6th attack on U.S. Capitol

Following the Thursday January 6th Committee Hearing, U.S. Senate Candidate Katrina Christiansen and U.S. House Candidate Mark Haugen criticized their opponents, for their milquetoast responses to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Hoeven hides until favorable winds are blowing. The Jan. 6th committee hearings have shown just how dangerous GOP complacency and hunger for power is to our democracy. Hoeven would rather focus on something that polls well than address how the insurrection and the ‘Big Lie’ threaten our democratic institutions.” lambasted Christiansen.

Haugen chided, “Kelly Armstrong had the opportunity to be on this committee, but let the GOP House Leader Kevin McCarthy pull him. When our democracy is on life support, Rep. Armstrong would prefer to attempt to further his own career than stand for the Republic. He has been a coward for when he could have been an independent voice. I have always stood for my principles, and would never put those aside to cozy up to party leadership like Rep. Armstrong has.”