The First Amendment Is Under Attack From The NDGOP

Bismarck, ND –  With the passage of SB 2030 the NDGOP has made it abundantly clear that the most sacred right enshrined in the Bill of Rights can be cast aside in the name of a 21st Century witch hunt led by Sen. Janne Myrdal (R-Edinburg). 

The NDGOP turned what began as good legislation to fund important and necessary research into a bill that will strip academic freedom from universities, faculty, and students. The bill will undoubtedly drive away students, faculty, and their economic support from our state. The fate of the bill, and academic freedom, now sits on the Governor’s desk.  

Democratic-NPL Executive Director Michael Taylor spoke on the anti-American legislation; 

“What this bill does is strip away academic freedom for the next generation of leaders in North Dakota. If a supermajority of NDGOP legislators are willing to blatantly strip First Amendment rights, what right will they take away from you next? The leadership of this party, from Governor Burgum to our leaders in the United States Senate, are failing you and your family and allowing a frothing group of right-wing zealots – who view a serial sexual harasser as a martyr – to overtake our state government.”

Taylor continued;

“To each and every North Dakotan: I urge you to look at what is happening to our state. The NDGOP has had opportunity after opportunity to create legislation that improves your life. Instead, every single time they have chosen to pass laws that objectively make your life harder, less safe, or outright spit in the face of the Constitution. This cannot stand for one more day. How many Constitutional rights are you willing to give up for elected officials that give you nothing, while taking your tax dollars and killing jobs in your communities?” 

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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NDGOP Guilty of Assault on Women’s Rights

Bismarck, ND – Moments before the state legislature was set to gavel in today, NDGOP House leaders decided to call a sudden, last-minute vote to strip women of their rights – and their dignity – by enacting SCR 4010, which declares North Dakota’s 1975 ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment null and void. In a truly gutless maneuver, the bill’s passage was decided by voice vote – a telltale sign of just how aware they are of the despicable and backwards position they’ve taken, especially during Women’s History Month.

Last month, the NDGOP Senate adopted the resolution with the same, spineless secrecy of a thief in the night. Because no member of the Extremist Far-Right Supermajority had the courage to speak up against rescinding the ERA before the votes were taken, and in the absence of a formal roll call, we can only conclude that their legislators were unanimous in their shared contempt for the basic rights of women and young girls in our state, and across the county. The vote to enact SCR 4010 comes one day after Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) voted against reauthorizing the “Violence Against Women Act”, and a mere three days after a mass shooting targeting Atlanta-area spas that claimed the lives of 6 Asian women sparked national outrage. 

Democratic-NPL Chair, Kylie Oversen, condemned the passage, saying:

“In the midst of a pandemic that has been especially devastating to women, it is tone deaf at best and dangerous at worst to blatantly walk back support for equal rights for women. There is no excuse or reason for this legally questionable vote, and the bald-faced lies being spread by the NDGOP about this resolution are exhausting. We should be supporting policies like paid family leave, equal pay, and protections for victims of domestic violence. There was a time, not so long ago, when those were values shared by both parties. One can only wonder what happened to make the NDGOP so unabashedly misogynist in such a short amount of time?”

Oversen continued:

“Today’s vote, and the fact that this resolution was even introduced, was a slap in the face to every woman in the state of North Dakota. This entire legislative session has been a slap in the face to common decency and basic human rights. We are left with zero indication from the NDGOP that they even care at all about the basic needs, and inalienable rights, of North Dakotans – choosing instead to pander to out-of-touch, out-of-state extremists. The same legislators who supported this intolerant, prejudiced bill are the very same people trying to spread misinformation and fear against transgender individuals under the guise of “protecting women.” Through their own actions, and misdeeds, it has been made abundantly clear that what all of us truly need protection from is the NDGOP.”

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Luke Simons Calls Women Liars, Tools of NDGOP Smear Campaign

Bismarck, ND – Disgraced Former Representative Luke Simons (R-Dickinson) declared a full-scale war of attrition during a ponderous, and belabored press conference yesterday afternoon. Full of legalese, steeping in paranoia, but conspicuously lacking in any exonerating evidence to back up his defense, Simons accused NDGOP lawmakers, members of the press, and his numerous female accusers of being engaged in a sinister cabal to frame him for sexual harassment in retaliation for his “unapologetic” far-right political beliefs.

At the onset of yesterday’s press conference, Mr. Simons’ attorney pledged to go through each allegation line-by-line so as to allow his client the ability to “tell his side of the story”. This never came to fruition, however, as multiple press inquiries for proof that would discredit the claims that led to Mr. Simons’ expulsion, or the existence of a political conspiracy to oust him were ignored outright. Even the most humdrum of questions were deflected, or left unanswered, as the press conference was brought to an abrupt close. In the end, no ‘smoking gun’ was produced to refute the litany of incident reports filed against former Representative Simons.  

Following the Press Conference, Democratic-NPL Chair, Kylie Oversen responded:

“With all the hype of a gripping legal drama, and made-for-tv scripting, the press in attendance – and viewers at home – may have expected a bombshell revelation that would add a new twist to this increasingly shameful episode. Instead, the only thing presented was a wealth of postulating, aimless repetition, and wild-eyed conspiracy theory all aimed at portraying Luke Simons as a martyr for conservatism betrayed by a Republican Judas. Those who tuned in to see if Mr. Simons would be absolved of the troubling allegations against him, saw only wrath.”

Oversen continued:

“While Mr. Simons would see it fit to silence his accusers, painting himself as a “victim” of the #MeToo Movement, the Democratic-NPL will continue to believe women while reiterating our firm commitment against workplace harassment, intimidation, and abuse. Our politics may differ, but when it comes to respecting the dignity, autonomy, and basic inalienable rights of all women, we must find ourselves united in common cause.”

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Legislators Say Paid Family Leave is a Win-Win

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – Workers, businesses, and families would benefit from an optional paid family leave program being considered by the North Dakota Legislature. The House Industry, Business, and Labor Committee held a hearing today on HB 1441, which sponsors say would be a win-win for both employees and employers in the state. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (D-Fargo) and Sen. Erin Oban (D-Bismarck).

The Need

North Dakotans occasionally need to step away from their jobs for personal reasons – because of their own illness or to care for a new child or a loved one. Around 11,000 babies are born each year in our state. According to the AARP, more than 62,000 North Dakotans serve as caregivers for a loved one. But in North Dakota just 12% of companies offer maternity leave and 6% offer paternity leave. Many workers can’t even earn a single sick day.

“Many North Dakotans are faced with an impossible choice,” Hanson said. “Do they stay in their job or bond with their new baby? Do they choose their paycheck over being by their dad’s side during the last two months of his life?”

The Solution

HB 1441 creates a state-facilitated paid family leave program, which will be funded through private contributions from employees, employers, or a combination of both. The program would be optional for all employers and any North Dakota worker, including independent contractors or sole proprietors, giving equal opportunity for North Dakota’s growing “gig economy” workers to participate.

Participating employees would contribute six cents for every $10 in wages into the fund. A North Dakotan making $50,000 a year would contribute $300 per year. When an employee has an eligible event, they will draw from the paid leave fund instead of taking their salary or unpaid leave. They would receive 66 percent of their average weekly wage for up to 12 weeks in one calendar year with a cap of $1,000 per week.

Businesses Benefit

Research shows that paid family leave helps businesses with improved recruitment, retention, productivity and profitability. If a company loses an employee due to a temporary personal event, they will have to re-recruit and re-train a new employee during a time when businesses are competing for talent in a tight labor market. To encourage business participation, an employer that pays for any or all of an employee’s contributions would receive a tax credit equal to 20% of the contributions they made on behalf of that employee.

“At a time when we are looking for ways to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining a qualified workforce, a paid family leave program is a tool we can provide to businesses,” Sen. Oban said. “In North Dakota, we pride ourselves on being pro-life and pro-family. A paid family leave program would go a long way in showing it.”

If passed, the paid leave program would be rolled out in phases, with contributions beginning in 2022 and withdrawals beginning in 2023.

Supportive testimony included AARP, the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce and a letter signed by 51 health care providers.

The Williston Chamber of Commerce’s testimony: https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/67-2021/testimony/HIBL-1441-20210203-5054-F-RICHTER%20LORDEMANN_RACHEL.pdf

Dr. Dvorak testimony: https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/67-2021/testimony/HIBL-1441-20210203-5009-F-DVORAK_NATALIE_F.pdf

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Essential Workers Deserve Workers Compensation Benefits

(BISMARCK, ND) — Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., the House Industry, Business, and Labor Committee will hear testimony on HB 1433, which would allow essential workers to make a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if they contracted COVID-19 at their places of work. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks).

If passed, HB 1433 would extend Workforce Safety Insurance (WSI) to qualifying essential workers. Essential workers include law enforcement, firefighters, health care workers, educators, and childcare workers. These individuals have been key to maintaining the availability of essential services during the pandemic.

“2020 was a year unlike any other,” Rep. Ista said. “Through it all, we relied on a small group of our fellow North Dakotans to keep us safe, to keep us healthy, to keep us fed, to keep the lights on, and to keep our state running.”

Normally, WSI coverage only applies to physical injuries, and does not extend to catching a contagious disease at work. It’s hard to determine where a person contracted the disease. However, because of the unique situation caused by the pandemic, the bill creates a rebuttable presumption that the applicant was infected on the job.

“These workers found themselves on the front lines of the war against COVID-19.  Many contracted the disease. Some fell seriously ill. A tragic number lost their lives,” Rep. Ista continued. “As state leaders, I believe we have an obligation to recognize those realities not only through our words of thanks and praise, but also through our actions.”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of early December of 2020, at least 17 states have adopted some sort of COVID-related workers’ compensation protections.

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Lawmakers Push to Cover Pre-existing Conditions and Essential Health Care Services

(BISMARCK, N.D.) – Sen. Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) introduced a bipartisan bill that will add several healthcare protections in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to the North Dakota Century Code. The Senate Committee on Industry, Business, and Labor held a hearing today on the bill this morning. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Marcellais (D-Belcourt), Rep Pamela Anderson (D- Fargo), Rep. George Keiser (R-Bismarck), and Rep. Austen Schauer (R-West Fargo).

“For years, some members of Congress have been advocating to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, but they haven’t come up with a solution,” Sen. Mathern said. “Rather than just continuing to talk about it, this bill will provide real solutions for North Dakotans.”

SB 2222 includes those parts of the ACA that have enjoyed the most bipartisan support. These provisions include a ban on pre-existing conditions, permitting children to stay on their parent’s insurance until age 26, and free preventative care. Only plans that currently cover these essential services would be subject to the new law.

More than 300,000 North Dakotans have pre-existing conditions.

The need for this bill was prompted by a lawsuit filed by the State of Texas challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments last fall. If the Court rules in Texas’s favor, North Dakotans would lose all of the protections they currently enjoy under federal law. SB 2222 will assure North Dakotans that their health care benefits will remain intact.

“Our citizens need predictable health insurance coverage,” Sen. Mathern continued. “Our citizens are supportive of the benefits enumerated by this bill. This bill will ensure that North Dakotans that need health insurance can get health insurance, regardless of what happens at the federal level.”

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North Dakota Senators Must Fulfill Their Oath and Vote for a Fair Trial

January 21, 2020

***Statement***

With the impeachment trial of the President under way, the North Dakota Democratic-NPL released the following statement:

North Dakota Democratic-NPL legislators routinely work across the aisle with their Republican colleagues to do the people’s business in Bismarck. North Dakotans expect our representatives in Washington, D.C. to do the same.

As jurors in the president’s impeachment trial, Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer took an oath of impartiality, a vow to abandon partisan politics and follow the truth wherever it leads. But so far, the Senate is rushing through one of the most important trials in American history without a plan to hear witness testimony directly relevant to charges against the president.

Since its founding, the Senate has held 15 impeachment trials. Each time, both sides had the opportunity to present witnesses and evidence because everyone deserves a fair trial, and no one is above the law. A North Dakota jury would promise no less.

But with the trial officially beginning today, it remains unclear if Hoeven and Cramer will entirely abandon their oath. With the trial ongoing and impending votes on the procedural rules, Senators Hoeven and Cramer have the power and the duty to protect the integrity of our democracy and of our Country. North Dakotans deserve representatives who fulfill the oaths they take. We call on Senators Cramer and Hoeven to do the right thing and vote for fairness.

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Dem-NPL: Fighting to Protect North Dakotans with Pre-existing Conditions

November 26, 2019

A recent article on the work of the interim Healthcare Committee failed to mention that guaranteed protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions were offered by Democratic-NPL legislators (section 14 of SB 2010) back in April 2019. Unfortunately, this effort was defeated by the Republican supermajority during the 2019 legislative session. They had the opportunity to take action and once again showed their true colors – that they put politics ahead of people’s health care.
When the version of SB 2010 that included the amendment to guarantee protections for pre-existing conditions passed the House (no thanks to the 33 GOP legislators who voted against this amendment), Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread and the Republican supermajority later removed the amendment (section 14) from the bill. It should be noted that efforts to protect North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions were led by Democratic-NPL lawmakers, while the ACA lawsuit that would strip away these protections earned the full-throated support of Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Insurance Commissioner Godfread, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong.

“If the State is able to remove coverage for pre-existing conditions from the ACA, which will happen if the lawsuit is successful, a great number of people will find that they will lose coverage or be asked to pay premiums that they can’t afford,” said Rep. Rick Holman (D-Mayville). “Our job should be to help people not hurt them.”

It also deserves mention that three of the members on the current interim Health Care Committee voted against protecting pre-existing conditions during the 2019 legislative session: Clayton Fegley (R-Berthold), Jim Kasper (R-Fargo), and Lisa Meier (R-Bismarck). Additionally, Rep. Robin Weisz (R-Hurdsfield) and Rep. Bob Paulson (R-Minot), who were absent during this vote, later voted against the final version of SB 2010.

“Instead of supporting North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions and protecting the very constituents who elected them, Godfread and Republican legislators once again played political games,” said Dem-NPL Chairwoman Kylie Oversen. “What if the Stenehjem and Godfread supported lawsuit against the ACA succeeds prior to the 2021 legislative session? North Dakotans well-being is at risk. This is yet another example of the ND Republicans refusing to do the right thing for tens of thousands of North Dakotans. If you don’t believe me, listen to the words of Rep. Dan Ruby (R-Minot), who specifically carried forward the long-standing Republican position of denying guaranteed coverage and protections for North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions, simply because they ‘didn’t like’ it.”

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