Rep. Boschee requests bipartisan amendments for non-discrimination bill

HB 1386 provides basic protections for LGBT North Dakotans

Rep Boschee: “Since Day One, we’ve been ready and willing to work in a bipartisan fashion to pass this bill” 

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – On the House floor today, State Rep. Josh Boschee (D-44), the primary sponsor of HB 1386, requested his bill be returned to committee to provide additional opportunities to work with Republican lawmakers on amendments that would strengthen bipartisan support for the bill and, ultimately, allow it to pass the House.      Boschee

HB 1386 would provide basic anti-discrimination protections for LGBT North Dakotans in the areas of housing, employment and public services.

Boschee’s request to return the bill to committee was voted down 32-59. Twenty Republicans joined Democratic-NPL lawmakers voting in favor.

Representative Boschee then attempted to amend HB 1386 on the House floor to limit the scope of the bill’s provisions to apply only to government employment and government-provided services – not services provided by the private sector – in another attempt to address concerns raised by Republicans. The amendment, which required unanimous consent to be considered under House rule 333, was also rejected by a voice vote.

“Since Day One, we’ve been ready and willing to work in a bipartisan fashion to pass this bill,” said Boschee. “We cannot let perfect be the enemy of the good when it comes to providing basic protections that are so important to so many of our citizens. Passing a bill that provides these protections – even if it doesn’t include every single provision we want – is better than not passing any bill at all.”

“We remain committed to working with our colleagues across the aisle to build enough support to finally pass this commonsense, and vitally important, legislation,” added Boschee.

This is the fourth time anti-discrimination legislation has been introduced to the North Dakota Legislature. Nearly identical bills were introduced, and voted down, during the 2009, 2013 and 2015 legislative sessions. Throughout the committee hearing for HB 1386, Rep. Boschee worked with Republicans to offer amendments that addressed their concerns in order to strengthen bipartisan support for the legislation.

The Forum editorial board, the Bismarck Tribune editorial board and Republican Governor Doug Burgum have all expressed their support for anti-discrimination legislation.  

When identical legislation was considered during the 2015 legislative session, the Forum wrote: “It’s time for North Dakota to join some 40 other states that have stopped discriminating in jobs and housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” The following month, Burgum told the High Plains Reader: “Every policy the legislature is considering should be viewed through a lens of supporting workforce development in the state […] Any laws we have that discriminate against or limit the rights of any citizens based on gender orientation create a barrier for recruiting and retaining talent in our state.”

Earlier this week, the Bismarck Tribune wrote: “Businesses and civil servants shouldn’t be allowed to refuse services to people because of their race, age, gender or sexual preferences […] Passing HB1386 would be a positive step for North Dakota and the nation. It would signal the state believes everyone is equal under the law.”

“Elected leaders talk all the time about building a stronger and more vibrant economy, and investing in our communities,” said Boschee. “Yes, this bill is about providing basic protections for all North Dakotans, but it’s also about making our communities more open for investments, innovation and entrepreneurs. Simply put, making our communities more welcoming is good for business – and this should be a goal we can all get behind, regardless of party affiliation.”        

Following Rep. Boschee’s request to return his bill to committee, and his request to amend the bill on the floor, HB 1386 was voted down, 22-69, with 10 Republicans joining all Democratic-NPL lawmakers voting in favor.

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First responders, Dem-NPL legislators highlight importance of collective bargaining rights for law enforcement, firefighters

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – Democratic-NPL legislators were joined by firefighters from across the state at a press conference Monday to highlight the importance of HB 1401, legislation that would establish collective bargaining rights for North Dakota’s law enforcement officers and paid, full-time firefighters.

“I think people have a high degree of respect for police and firefighters, and genuinely appreciate their sacrifices,” said Rep. Mary Schneider (D-21), the primary sponsor of HB 1401. “I think many people would appreciate the opportunity to help our first responders improve their working conditions by allowing them to negotiate the terms of their employment.”

“When you look at the core values of a firefighter, you find that we have a lot of ownership in our communities,” said Bill Bush, president of Fargo Firefighters Local 642. “We’re committed, we’re dedicated, we protect and serve without prejudice, and we make a positive impact in peoples’ lives. This legislation is about firefighters and law enforcement officers, from Williston to Fargo, having the opportunity to negotiate based on their immediate needs and priorities.”

Currently, North Dakota is one of only a handful of states that does not allow public safety employees, including law enforcement officers and full-time firefighters, to negotiate a contract. HB 1401 would bring North Dakota in line with nearly all other U.S. states that afford these rights to public-sector first responders.

Approximately 20 firefighters from Bismarck, Mandan, Minot and Fargo joined Reps. Schneider and Ron Guggisberg (D-11) to speak about the importance of HB 1401. Several first responders were joined at the press conference by their children and families.

“For me, this bill is about elected officials matching their words with actions when it comes to standing up for first responders,” said Guggisberg, who is also a Fire Capitan in Fargo. “Elected officials often pay lip service to first responders, but when the cameras go away, they’re on their own. This bill would allow public safety employees to take the politics out of their work and have a say in the conditions of their employment.”

Grant Benjamin, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, provided a letter of support for HB 1401, which read in part:

“We are only asking for the opportunity to have a say in open conversations with our agencies to discuss working conditions. This bill is much needed. To pass this bill would allow law enforcement officers to represent our members in matters of employer and employee relations. Currently, we have officers and deputies who are willingly placed in a position of danger by the commissioners they work for. Deputies and sheriffs have requested additional funding for resources only to be denied. Our members are working close to 900 square miles per deputy. This places the deputies and communities they protect in danger. This bill would allow us to work with our commissioners to request and come to reasonable terms to add more resources to keep our communities safe.”

Dem-NPL legislative leaders issue statement on Gov. Burgum’s decision to include continued funding for Medicaid expansion

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – Senate Democratic-NPL Leader Joan Heckaman (D-23) and House Dem-NPL Leader Corey Mock (D-18) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Burgum’s decision to include continued funding for Medicaid expansion in his executive budget proposal:

“As we review and evaluate the details of Gov. Burgum’s executive budget proposal released last night, we are encouraged by the governor’s decision to include continued funding for Medicaid expansion, which is absolutely critical to ensure access to affordable health care for tens of thousands of North Dakotans,” said Heckaman. “Eliminating this funding – as some have proposed – would mean doing away with health coverage for more than 18,000 North Dakotans, an outcome that would be detrimental for so many of our fellow community members, neighbors and loved ones.”  

“Failing to continue funding for Medicaid expansion would mean taking away health coverage from thousands of North Dakotans in rural communities across our state,” said Mock. “It would compromise much-needed funding for rural hospitals and health clinics, and it would make it more difficult for rural North Dakotans to access the services they need when dealing with serious, and sometimes life-threatening ailments like cancer and opioid abuse.”

“Of course, we have many concerns about the details included in the governor’s budget, especially when it comes to cuts to education, a nursing home tax that shifts costs onto senior citizens, and the lack of an inflationary adjustment for Medicaid providers,” added Heckaman. “Nonetheless, we are encouraged by the governor’s inclusion of continued funding for Medicaid expansion, and we remain committed to working with Gov. Burgum and our colleagues in the legislature to make sure we get it right when it comes to solving North Dakota’s budget crisis.” 

President Obama endorses Josh Boschee for District 44 House

(BISMARCK, ND) – President Barack Obama has endorsed Josh Boschee for North Dakota House in District 44. Boschee is among a select group of state legislative candidates from around the country to receive the President’s endorsement.

“This election isn’t just about defeating extreme Republican candidates. It’s also about electing strong Democrats, like Josh Boschee,” says President Obama in a radio endorsement recorded for Boschee. “I know Josh Boschee will fight to defend the progress we’ve made over the past eight years.”

“We’re thrilled that Josh has received President Obama’s endorsement,” said Dem-NPL Executive Director Robert Haider. “It’s a recognition of how important the District 44 legislative race is to building on the progress we’ve made in recent years, both here in the North Fargo community and across the country. We’re extremely proud of the hard work Josh has been doing canvassing his community, speaking with voters, and putting forth a positive message about how to make our community and state even stronger.”

Boschee is running alongside fellow Dem-NPL House candidate Karla Rose Hanson and state Senate candidate Merrill Piepkorn in District 44. The D44 legislative race has caught national attention due to the community’s shifting demographics and the important local issues being highlighted by Boschee, Hanson and Piepkorn, including K-12 education, community safety, behavioral health services and property tax relief. Last month, Hanson also received the national spotlight when the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee designated her as an “essential race candidate.”

In rare move, Minot Daily News endorses Democratic House candidate A.J. Schultz

(BISMARCK, ND) – In a rare move, the Minot Daily News on Friday endorsed Dem-NPL House candidate A.J. Schultz, saying Schultz has “a wealth of personal and professional experience to bring to public service and has ably presented himself as post-partisan.”

Endorsing a Democrat is a bold move for the Minot Daily News, which tends to have a staunchly conservative editorial perspective. Going back at least a generation, it is highly unusual for the paper to endorse a Democratic candidate. aj-endorsement

“As a veteran, a gun owner, and a small business owner, this election is about more than partisanship to me,” said Schultz. “Since Day One, I’ve done my best to focus on the local issues that are important to our community. How do we deal with Minot’s drug problem? How do we ensure better flood protection for our families? How do we get our state budget in order to protect funding for human services and K-12 education? I’m humbled to receive the Minot Daily News endorsement, and I think it’s an acknowledgement of the important issues we’ve been raising in our campaign.”

“We’re extremely proud of the work A.J.’s been doing canvassing neighborhoods, speaking with voters, and putting forth a message focused on the issues affecting the Minot community,” said Dem-NPL Executive Director and Burlington native Robert Haider. “It’s because of hard-working, dedicated candidates like A.J. that the Dem-NPL is so confident in our ability to offer voters a substantive, forward-looking agenda in North Dakota.”

Schultz is running to represent District 40 along with fellow House candidate Heidi Rintoul and state Senate candidate Phil Franklin.