Tag Archive for: Burgum

Burgum And NDGOP Play Politics With National Guard

Bismarck, ND –  Instead of ensuring that North Dakota businesses, workers and communities fully recover from a once-in-a-generation pandemic, Governor Burgum and the NDGOP are playing politics with the National Guard. This decision to send our service men and women to the border continues a disturbing trend, started by Attorney General Stenehjem, of assisting Texas officials with their misguided, unplanned, and politically driven agenda that in no way, shape, or form helps North Dakotans.

Our servicemen and women dedicate their careers to protecting North Dakota and the United States of America. They did not make that commitment to be used as a pawn in a rich, elitist Governor’s political playbook, who only cares about raising his national profile.

Chairman Hart commented on this decision, saying:

“We can discuss the merits of this decision by the Governor till the sun comes up. But what I’m concerned about is how quickly he made this decision knowing that at the end of the month, thousands of North Dakotan families will be lying awake wondering where the mortgage will come from, how they will afford childcare, or how they will be able to pay off that credit card. The Governor has an obligation to ensure that our communities are able to get back on their feet, but he continues to choose politics over people.”

Chairman Hart continued:

“Make no mistake, the people at our southern border come, not to burden America, but to flee unimaginable violence, poverty, and insecurity in hopes of becoming a part of the greatest country to ever exist. “

NDGOP & Gov Burgum Gut Unemployment Benefits and Security for Workers of North Dakota

Bismarck, ND –  Yesterday, Gov. Doug Burgum announced the state will pull out of four federally provided programs that offer extra compensation and longer eligibility to unemployed North Dakotans. Burgum and the entire NDGOP coordinated to tell the working class of our state that they are livestock to be ushered back to historically underpaying, underprotected minimum wage jobs. The NDGOP continues to hinder North Dakota’s ability to recover from the pandemic, maintaining their commitment to vicious, violent animosity towards the men and women who build our state.

Dem-NPL Chair Patrick Hart commented on the NDGOP’s decision to gut benefits:

“As a small business owner the greatest thing I get to do for the community is to serve them and their needs. Hard work for a fair, livable wage is what built North Dakota and what continues to drive the innovation we see in our state. What is not a part of our North Dakota values is kicking people when they are down and treating them viciously, instead of with unmatched kindness. When the pandemic fractured our communities, killed our loved ones, and forced businesses to close, how did the NDGOP respond? They fought science with conspiracy theories, they voted to make the rich even richer, and they wasted our tax dollars on unconstitutional nonsense instead of helping out our neighbors. That is the issue we should be talking about.”

Chair Hart continues:

“We are asking Governor Burgum to sit down with business owners, workers, unemployment recipients and union reps, and have a dialogue about this issue. As Rep. Boschee and countless other North Dakotans have asked, where was the analysis done for this decision? Was it rooted in sound fiscal policy, or was it informed by the feedback loop of fringe right-wing media to legislators and back? What is the average wage for open jobs? What communities are these jobs even available in? What non-lobbyist groups gave input on this decision? These choices have a massive impact on the lives of real North Dakotans and we demand answers, and accountability, from the entire NDGOP.”

NDGOP & Gov Burgum Gut Unemployment Benefits and Security for Workers of North Dakota

Bismarck, ND –  Yesterday, Gov. Doug Burgum announced the state will pull out of four federally provided programs that offer extra compensation and longer eligibility to unemployed North Dakotans. Burgum and the entire NDGOP coordinated to tell the working class of our state that they are livestock to be ushered back to historically underpaying, underprotected minimum wage jobs. The NDGOP continues to hinder North Dakota’s ability to recover from the pandemic, maintaining their commitment to vicious, violent animosity towards the men and women who build our state.

Dem-NPL Chair Patrick Hart commented on the NDGOP’s decision to gut benefits:

“As a small business owner the greatest thing I get to do for the community is to serve them and their needs. Hard work for a fair, livable wage is what built North Dakota and what continues to drive the innovation we see in our state. What is not a part of our North Dakota values is kicking people when they are down and treating them viciously, instead of with unmatched kindness. When the pandemic fractured our communities, killed our loved ones, and forced businesses to close, how did the NDGOP respond? They fought science with conspiracy theories, they voted to make the rich even richer, and they wasted our tax dollars on unconstitutional nonsense instead of helping out our neighbors. That is the issue we should be talking about.”

Chair Hart continues:

“We are asking Governor Burgum to sit down with business owners, workers, unemployment recipients and union reps, and have a dialogue about this issue. As Rep. Boschee and countless other North Dakotans have asked, where was the analysis done for this decision? Was it rooted in sound fiscal policy, or was it informed by the feedback loop of fringe right-wing media to legislators and back? What is the average wage for open jobs? What communities are these jobs even available in? What non-lobbyist groups gave input on this decision? These choices have a massive impact on the lives of real North Dakotans and we demand answers, and accountability, from the entire NDGOP.”

NDGOP Endorses COVID-19 For Another Term!

Bismarck, ND – In an ongoing battle against science, evidence, and common sense, the NDGOP decided to pass HB 1323, limiting mask mandates and stripping local control of how best to deal with public health. The bill now sits on Governor Burgum’s desk, while Dem-NPL leaders as well as local officials, medical professionals, teachers, workers and those who wish to not catch COVID-19 are calling on him to reject the rabid members of his own party and veto the bill. Nothing short of a veto would be a ringing endorsement of comments from members like Rep. Hoverson (R-Minot), who shockingly compared North Dakota to a prison camp.

Democratic-NPL Executive Director Michael Taylor responded to the legislation:

“HB 1323 is yet another piece of hardware in the trophy case of the NDGOP’s legacy of destructive bills. Bills like these act only to continue the spread of a virus that our businesses, teachers, hospital staff, grocery workers, and more have suffered through long enough. Not only does this bill open the door for COVID-19 to maintain its grip on our state, but it would also blatantly strip local control from communities who know who to best serve their people.”

Taylor continued: 

“Governor Burgum has a choice with this legislation. Either he can relinquish his own executive authority and allow extremist legislators to stranglehold our state, or he can protect North Dakotans by vetoing this bill. There is no middle ground. The radical right is on a rampage in our state and without a veto, they will do everything in their power to strip all local control and let COVID-19 continue to harm our communities.”

Rep. Schneider and Dem-NPL Call for Executive Moratorium on Evictions and Rental Fees

FARGO, ND — For many North Dakotans, rent is due in only a few days even though many are suddenly without work or a paycheck because of COVID-19 disruptions. Some landlords have been proactive in providing relief and many utilities have promised not to shut off their services. Other landlords sent out letters directing renters that regardless of illness or lost employment, rent is still due on April 1. Some of these letters directed renters to choose between online-only payments or paying a new credit card charge while also saying they will delay maintenance services as a COVD-19 prevention measure.
Today, Rep. Mary Schneider, D-Fargo, sent a letter to the governor respectfully urging him to sign an executive order temporarily halting evictions, foreclosures, utility shut-offs, and related late fees and interest. The moratorium would create consistency for North Dakotans and correlate with directives from President Trump as well as bipartisan initiatives at the city, county, and state levels nationwide. 

This call follows leadership by advocates and organizers like High Plains Fair Housing Center who are working to protect the significant number of North Dakotans who are at risk. Over 44% of Cass County residents are renters (2017 American Community Survey – US Census). Statewide, in 2017, 37% of citizens rented, according to the American Community Survey (US Census).

Rep. Mary Schneider, whose constituents are particularly vulnerable during this crisis, said in her call to the governor:

“Through no fault of their own, people have lost their jobs, had their paychecks eliminated or reduced, and have limited or no resources to withstand the crisis. They are petrified about losing their housing and having to find alternative and affordable shelter during a pandemic—or possibly becoming homeless. They are additionally afraid of not being able to recover financially from extra costs, fees, deposits, and penalties from late payments and court actions, even after they are working again. When those folks asked me what I was going to do about their desperate circumstances, I said I would ask you to help.”

The Democratic NPL-Party Chairwoman Kylie Oversen, whose law practice includes social security disability and employment law, said:

“The Governor constantly says that we need to focus on Facts over Fear. Right now, it is a fact that our neighbors are losing their jobs and won’t be able to pay their rent when April 1 rolls around. It is a fact that too many working families are worried about losing their shelter at a time when they need it most.”

“Many of my clients are constantly at risk of losing their homes under normal circumstances. Now, when facing a global public health crisis, the risk is even greater and more alarming. We urge the Governor to take immediate action to ensure all North Dakotans can at least rest assured that they won’t be evicted and left without their basic need of shelter.”

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