Tag Archive for: NDGOP

Dem-NPL Platform demonstrates stark contrast from divisive NDGOP’s

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 8, 2024

FARGO – “The North Dakota Democratic-NPL convention was one of unity and inclusion,” said Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn

The NDGOP affirmed all but one of its controversial resolutions. Leading up to the convention, the North Dakota Republican Party was plagued with infighting members trading homophobic insults. They spent nearly three hours squabbling over blocking their own delegates from participating. Today on News and Views on KFGO the NDGOP candidate for Superintendent couldn’t even say if he thinks Muslims should be allowed to teach in public school teachers.

Among the resolutions from the NDGOP

-Eliminate gay marriage while urging the attorney general to protect any religious center that discriminates against gay marriage

-Block protections for LGBTQ communities

-Enact harmful “school choice” programs diverting taxpayer dollars from public schools to fund unregulated and unlicensed private and homeschool programs

Goldwyn continued, “What we saw from the North Dakota Republican Convention was not very North Dakota Nice. If you are disaffected by the vitriol and chaos from the, come on over to the Dem-NPL, the water here’s fine.”

The Chair of the Democratic-NPL Platform Committee Charlene Rawson said, “Ours is an examination of what freedom is really all about.” Earlier this year, the North Dakota Democratic-NPL adopted a bylaws change to make the Platform Committee a standing committee that will meet throughout the year to adapt to an ever-changing political landscape.

Highlights of the Democratic-NPL Platform

-“The Dem-NPL advocates for unambiguous state laws affirming In Vitro Fertilization practices by medical providers in the state, holding clear freedom-from-prosecution any person involved in IVF protocols, which necessarily include the destruction of certain fertilized embryos, the selective abortion of multiple successful implantations, and the medical care afforded pregnant persons consistent with contemporary medical science”

-“The Dem-NPL supports restoring the state retirement and pension program that provided a defined benefit plan for teachers and public employees; and supports maintaining separate retirement systems for public employees (PERS) and educators (TFFR), in addition to keeping them as a defined benefit plan.”

-“The Dem-NPL opposes all efforts to privatize Social Security; and to strengthen Social Security, the Dem-NPL supports an increase, in, or the elimination of, the cap on taxable earnings for Social Security taxes. The Dem-NPL opposes all efforts to weaken Medicare.”

-“The Dem-NPL recognizes proper nutrition as a requirement for physical development and learning and supports fully funded hot lunches for all public-school students through grade 12, fully funded milk programs for elementary school students, and funded alternative lunches for medically-required diet and cultural restrictions.”

-“We support full funding for all public-school districts, including providing universal early childhood education and the expansion of Head Start, English Language Learners, and job training for all New Americans and immigrants.”

-“The Dem-NPL asserts “the trigger” law, passed in 2013 with additional restrictions on abortion passed in 2023, stand contrary to the American values of freedom and liberty and should be repealed.”

-“The Dem-NPL strenuously objects to the culture of fear and exclusion accelerated by members of the North Dakota legislature. In the last legislative session, 21 discriminatory bills were introduced with the intent of targeting LGBTQ+ and depriving these North Dakotans of common liberties to which we all should enjoy.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

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. “

Despite Efforts From NDGOP, Affordable Care Act Upheld By Supreme Court

Bismarck, ND –  Yesterday the Supreme Court ended years of efforts to destroy North Dakotans, and Americans overall, healthcare as we know it. Despite efforts from NDGOP leaders including Senator John Hoeven and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the Supreme Court saw beyond their dedication to ripping away healthcare from those who need it most and secured the Affordable Care Act for the future.

Chairman Hart commented on the ruling

“What yesterday’s ruling showed is that despite the unwavering commitment from the NDGOP to taking away your healthcare, your neighbor’s healthcare, and weakening our communities through worse coverage at higher costs, they have failed. What the Affordable Care Act does is give our neighbors access to quality healthcare that won’t cost them an arm and a leg. North Dakotans look out and care for one another and we are grateful to the Supreme Court for protecting the ACA.”

Former Congressman Earl Pomero released a statement yesterday after the 7-2 ruling

“Today the Supreme Court once again rejected an effort to take health insurance coverage away from thousands of Dakotans and tens of millions of Americans. This defeat of the challenge to the Affordable Care Act means the protections so many now have against crushing health costs are secure. The Court overwhelmingly rejected the lawsuit by 20 states to strike down this law.” 

Pomeroy continued

“I strongly disagree with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem putting North Dakota in on this effort which the Supreme Court rejected. He may have lost another lawsuit, but the people of North Dakota  won a great victory. Their Affordable Care Act coverage will not be taken away.” 

Dem-NPL Leaders Ask: Is There Corruption At The Capitol?

Bismarck, ND –  Democratic-NPL Chairman Hart released the following statement on potential ‘pay to play’ of North Dakota’s nearly $20 billion investment portfolio:

“The NDGOP-controlled State Investment board, chaired by Lt. Governor Brent Sanford, must answer and address many troubling allegations surrounding potential corruption and waste, fraud, and abuse within the halls of the Capitol, including:

  • Why has the board not conducted a competitive bid process like many other states to ensure our money is not being squandered to outside interests?
  • How much has the state spent on direct payments, and fees, to Callan and money managers? And where does our investment portfolio rank nationally?
  • Why are we making large investments into China and Russia to prop up their economy, while they continue to hack and steal our information?
  • What have Sanford and State Auditor Josh Gallion done to ensure transparency and that records and taxpayer dollars are properly audited and accounted for?
  • Why has the board continuously refused to invest in the state of ND?
  • Has the NDGOP-controlled board ceded and lost all control over investment decision making to a California-based firm?

Hart continued

“During my campaign for State Auditor in 2020, I ran on a simple message of accountability to North Dakotans by ending waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars in state government. Until these, and other, questions are answered by Sanford and the State Investment Board, the people of North Dakota will be wondering if the Burgum-Sanford administration has chosen the good ol’ boys club, outside interests, and spending $150,000 for luxurious tax payer funded renovations to the Governor’s mansion over the hardworking men and women of this state. Our actions speak to our principles, and we have serious concerns about what that means for the NDGOP.”
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Dem-NPL Supports Measure For Jan 6th Commission, Calls on NDGOP to Join

Bismarck, ND –  The attacks on our Capitol on January 6th were unlike anything we’ve seen in the modern age. Droves of insurrectionists, hellbent on tearing at the fabric of our Democracy, had North Dakotans asking where civility, and respect for our nation’s ideals, had gone. That is why with the full force of the Dem-NPL we support the measure to investigate this and establish a commission in Congress. We are calling on the NDGOP to support this measure, not rooted in politics, but in a shared patriotism and love for country.

Dem-NPL Executive Director Michael Taylor commented on the attacks and commission

“Every North Dakotan watched with a heavy heart as police officers were beaten with flag poles, windows smashed, and the lining of our Democracy ripped out on that day. What this moment cannot be, above all else, is partisan. We demand accountability from those who participated in these events, and call upon NDGOP leaders to demand the creation of a commission on what went wrong that day.”

Director Taylor continues

“If the supermajority leadership in our state, our NDGOP Governor, an NDGOP member in the House, and two NDGOP US Senators, are unable to condemn even this, an act of aggression against the United States, then we have moved beyond patriotism and into a new, hyper-fringe world that the majority of North Dakotans do not want to live in. Each of us were taught right from wrong by our parents & grandparents, and what happened on January 6th was not only wrong, but the antithesis of what it means to be American. It needs to be investigated, and we need to be adults and call for that inquiry as one, united voice.”

Chair Patrick Hart noted the extremity of the January 6th attacks

“I can only imagine what would have happened if a single Senator or Representative had been injured or worse murdered by the insurgents that day. This isn’t about contesting election results or engaging in a constitutionally-based patriotic assembly, this was something else and is far beyond the values we hold in North Dakota. We must get to the bottom of this.”

 

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.”

Dem-NPL Elects New Chair, Patrick Hart, Announces New Party Leadership

Bismarck, ND –  Today, at the Democratic-NPL Statewide Reorganization Meeting, Dem-NPL Leaders from across the state elected Patrick Hart to serve as the new State Party Chair. Also elected were Vice Chair Kari Breker, DNC Committeeman Adam Goldwyn, Treasurer Tracey Wilkie, and Secretary Birgit Pruess.

Dem-NPL Chair Patrick Hart Commented On The Election:

“I am honored that my fellow Dem-NPL members across the state have chosen me to take on this important role and lead our party to create a new, expansive vision for North Dakota. Together, we’ll fight for the North Dakotans that build our state. From the teachers, well technicians, farmers, and more, I am excited to build this party around you and your families’ needs.

I look forward to the challenge of building on the foundation of the Dem-NPL that Chair Kylie Oversen built with the help of many others. The Dem-NPL has been a big part of my life for many years and I’m glad to be afforded the opportunity to help grow our base and lead our party into the future. I am humbled by the confidence given by my peers and will ensure that anyone who wants to be involved will be welcomed to the table. Myself and Kari Breker were elected because we have the right ideas and are committed to growing the party & winning elections and we look forward to hitting the ground running.”

Outgoing Chair Kylie Oversen Commented On Today’s Elections:

“Serving North Dakota and the Democratic-NPL has been one of my life’s greatest honors, but I am excited for the bold future that Patrick and the leadership team will create for North Dakota. With Patrick in charge, North Dakotans will have a champion for workers that will carry the fight in each & every election. My heartfelt thank you to all those who have supported me through this role over the years, and my best wishes to Patrick.”

About Patrick Hart: Patrick Hart is a small business owner and resides with his family in Bismarck. He previously served as the Dem-NPL Vice Chair.

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?”