Roughrider Roundup – August 15, 2022
Happy Monday!
Dear Fellow Republicans,
We wanted to provide you with a roundup of everything you might have missed from North Dakota’s great Republican leaders this past week. Please share with family and friends!
Perrie Schafer, NDGOP Chairman
Video of the Week
Senator Cramer: “BNI invested in North Dakota, so we can help power the United States economy. This new dragline at the Center coal mine is a long-term investment in North Dakota and reliable power for the Upper Great Plains. We must continue to produce made-in-America energy and I applaud BNI for their continued commitment to doing so.”
RNC
Watch RNC Chairwoman McDaniel’s latest “Real America” podcast with Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker. He truly has an “only in America” story that every American should hear!
NDGOP
NDGOP Condemns Fargo School Board Pledge of Allegiance Ban
BISMARCK – Today, Perrie Schafer, Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party (“NDGOP”) released the following statement in response to this week’s vote by the Fargo School Board to exclude the Pledge of Allegiance from School Board meetings:
“The Fargo School Board vote is an affront to our American values and all who have sacrificed in protecting our freedoms. The claim by the School Board that the Pledge of Allegiance violates their so-called diversity code is nothing short of laughable when you consider that our flag symbolizes a country that is the most diverse and tolerant nation on earth and one that ensures equal opportunity for all. This vote underscores the importance of electing Republicans up and down the ballot this November — and in all local races going forward. We cannot get complacent. We must run good candidates, and they must serve our values to put a stop the radical liberal agenda that is harming our children and the future of our state.”
NDGOP Statement on Mar-A-Lago Raid
BISMARCK – Perrie Schafer, Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party (“NDGOP”), released the following statement in response to the FBI’s raid on the home of former President Donald J. Trump:
“This is a dark day for America. The FBI’s raid on President Trump’s personal home shows a disturbing overreach of our justice system and seriously undermines the public’s trust in our institutions. This is particularly true given the fact that law enforcement has not been nearly as aggressive in investigating Democrats such as Hillary Clinton, who kept classified information on a personal server, and Hunter Biden, whose personal indiscretions and corrupt foreign dealings have left America vulnerable to our adversaries,” said Schafer.
He continued: “Make no mistake about it: the Democrats won’t stop with President Trump; they’re coming for all of us using their unchecked power. Just in the past few days, Democrats have rammed through a massive new spending bill that will hire 87,000 new IRS agents, making it one of the largest, most powerful agencies in Washington that will harass small businesses and the Democrats’ ideological opponents with impunity.”
Schafer concluded, “This raid underscores the importance of electing Republicans in November. Right now, there is no limit on what the Democrats can do. A Republican Congress can put an end to the madness and stop the witch hunt against decent, law-abiding Americans.”
Read in the Wahpeton Daily News.
North Dakota
Burgum joins other governors in urging president to stop vaccination requirements for travelers
KFYR-TV
Gov. Doug Burgum, R-ND, joined 16 other governors urging President Biden to drop COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements for travelers. Burgum included a copy of the letter in a tweet posted Wednesday afternoon. The governors are asking the president to “allow travel to return to normal and stop hurting our states’ economies.” The letter goes on to say, “…maintaining a vaccine mandate for legal travelers is particularly contradictory given your recent push to revoke the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Title 42 Order, which allows DHS to expel migrants from the country for public health reasons. Why are insisting on vaccine requirements for legal temporary travelers but not for illegal immigrants who are attempting to stay in our country permanently?”
Fargo Public Schools to no longer begin its meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance
KFYR-TV
The board’s decision has caused a great deal of turmoil. In a statement, the NDGOP called the decision ‘Laughable.’ Senator Kevin Cramer said in a tweet, ‘Please don’t judge North Dakota on the actions of a few cultural and intellectual outliers.’
Area plan to upgrade grid would cost $3 billion, improve reliability and help prevent blackouts
Grand Forks Herald
North Dakota has ample electricity but has long faced bottlenecks in the transmission grid making it difficult to deliver power to markets to the east and south…Julie Fedorchak, chairwoman of the North Dakota Public Service Commission and liaison to MISO, said the transmission projects would benefit North Dakota “There’s a lot of constraints in North Dakota getting all of our electricity, regardless of source of generation, to markets in the east,” she said. If approved, the Jamestown-to-Ellendale line “will help get our electricity to markets where its wanted and needed,” Fedorchak said. Also, by increasing transmission, the grid will have more resilience and reliability by being able to provide power from more diverse sources. If the wind is blowing in North Dakota but not in Iowa, for example, delivering the North Dakota wind power can make up for the power lag in Iowa, she said. “Transmission helps because it helps move power more efficiently,” helping to avoid blackouts, Fedorchak said.
Water Commission Approves $35.4 Million in Cost-Share for Water Projects
American Ag News Network
At the North Dakota State Water Commission (SWC) meeting chaired by Lt. Governor Brent Sanford yesterday, the Commission approved $35.4 million in cost-share requests. The Commission voted to approve funding for several municipal, regional and rural water supply projects, as well as projects related to flood control and general water…“We’re grateful to the Water Commission members, Department of Water Resources Director Andrea Travnicek and team members at the DWR for ensuring water projects across the state continue to move forward and support the citizens of North Dakota and our economy,” said Sanford…The 10-member Water Commission consists of Gov. Burgum as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and eight members appointed by the governor to serve six-year terms.
North Dakota Attorney General aims to crack down on violent crime with tougher sentences
Inforum
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley is calling for tougher prison sentences for violent crimes with illegal firearms in response to what he’s calling a rise in crime across the state. In Fargo alone, multiple shootings happened in the past couple of weeks. Wrigley said that’s an example of the increase in violent crime that statewide statistics, which he plans to release soon, will show. “Something is starting to erode,” he said. “It’s real, people see this, they recognize it, and we can’t just be North Dakota nice about this and act like what we’re seeing isn’t real.” Wrigley believes harsher sentences will discourage violent crime, so he’s putting together a package of new laws targeting violent crimes in which a gun was illegally used.
State auditor determines that Mayville State has substandard employee payroll methods
KFGO
North Dakota’s State Auditor has found that Mayville State University does not have correct training or procedures for employee payroll. Auditor Josh Gallion says university staff found that more than $175,000 was overpaid to 15 employees. Gallion’s office also found that another $10,000 of over-payments was made to seven employees. Gallion says because university employees have varied paychecks, employees would not necessarily notice incorrect amounts on their checks. Gallion says the school has promised to address the issues and work to prevent it from happening again.
Public hearing on critical race theory next month
KFYR-TV
There will be a public hearing on Critical Race Theory next month at the State Capitol. The meeting is in part to collect input from the public and interested parties. Last year, the State Legislature banned the teaching of CRT in public schools, so this hearing isn’t about whether CRT should be taught in schools. Rather, it’s a hearing to give the public an opportunity to comment on the administrative rules as they’ve been written. “I don’t think, in the large majority of our school districts or school buildings, I don’t believe Critical Race is being taught or endorsed. I think there has been some examples that have been shared with some of our legislators of professional development training for our teachers that may be in that gray area,” said State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler. After the Department of Public Instruction writes the administrative rules, they will need to be approved by the Legislature. The meeting will be held on September 8th at 9:30 am in the Peace Garden Room at the State Capitol.
$31 million capital investment touted as future of North Dakota’s mining industry
The Dickinson Press
BNI Coal, a subsidiary of ALLETE Inc., on Monday commissioned a new 11-million-pound dragline, an excavator used in surface mining, at its Center Mine that is being touted as the key to keeping the lignite mine operating efficiently for the foreseeable future. The commissioning ceremony of the aptly named, ‘Legacy,’ is the culmination of a project that began during the second quarter of 2021 after the purchase of the excavator from Mississippi Power Co. The excavator arrived in Center, N.D. in individual components, after having been disassembled into pieces small enough to be transported by truck to North Dakota.
Guests at the commissioning included Randy Christmann, North Dakota Public Service Commissioner; U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong; and U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer.
North Dakota celebrates National Farmer’s Market Week
KFYR-TV
Fresh handpicked vegetables weren’t hard to come by on Wednesday. In celebration of National Farmer’s Market week, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture brought in crafters and producers from across the state for one giant market. “By doing this gives the public and the vendor the ability to interact. Get feedback maybe tweak it, maybe figure that they have a home run here and all they have to do is take it that next step,” said North Dakota Agricultural Commissioner Doug Goehring.
North Dakota transportation director to step down
Inforum
The agency’s deputy director of engineering, Ron Henke, will serve as interim director…Gov. Doug Burgum announced Panos’ resignation on Wednesday, Aug. 10. The Republican governor appointed Panos, the former director of Wyoming’s transportation department, to lead North Dakota’s transportation agency in August 2019. “Under Bill’s outstanding leadership, the Department of Transportation has made significant progress in many areas including traffic safety, strategic planning and improved access for constituents, especially to online services,” Burgum said in a news release. Panos praised the department’s employees, noting that they have “redefined our culture and expanded who we have helped.”
Officials break ground on Red River diversion project
Bismarck Tribune
Officials have formally broken ground for the 30-mile Red River diversion project to provide long-term flood control for the Fargo-Moorhead metro area. The federally funded $3.2 billion project has been in the works since flooding in 1997 and gained momentum after record-setting flooding in 2009. North Dakota is funding $870 million of the cost. Gov. Doug Burgum during Tuesday’s ground-breaking event said the project will protect more than 235,000 people and more than $25 billion worth of property. “This is a landmark day for one of the largest infrastructure projects in North Dakota history,” Burgum said.
25 years in the making, F-M Diversion breaks ground
KFGO
Governor Doug Burgum says the F-M region’s flood protection project will also protect $25 billion worth of property and, on the North Dakota side, cities and towns that represent 20% of the state’s sales tax collections. “What are we protecting with this? We’re not just protecting memories and personal homes. We’re protecting an economic engine – that includes an entire research university, one-third of the K-12 students in North Dakota, not to mention tens of thousands of jobs,” Burgum said.
State Grants Available For School Board Leadership Training
Devils Lake Journal
State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler is inviting North Dakota school boards to take part in leadership training that is designed to help them improve the academic outcomes of their students. The Department of Public Instruction is offering competitive grants that would pay half the cost of the Be Legendary School Board Leadership Institute training, Baesler said. The sessions last two days and are conducted within the school district.
North Dakota teachers reach new heights exploring career options for students
KFYR-TV
“It was really, really exciting to see teachers from across the state pair up with other public servants, our soldiers, and our Army National Guard,” said Kirsten Baesler, State Superintendent for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. The educators tested their marksmanship with weapon simulators but learned that the Army National Guard doesn’t just train soldiers for combat. “A lot of people when they think about the military, they think of the ‘tough guy’ type of things. But there’s so many other jobs out there. We have human resources, we have pay and finance, admin, so there’s all those jobs out there. Really, there’s something for everybody,” said Master Sergeant Calder Ressler, ND Army National Guard.
Washington, D.C.
North Dakota tribes receive $19.5 million to improve road safety
The Dickinson Press
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $19.5 million to the North Dakota Department of Transportation to be used to support the Tribal Safety Project. The project will include the installation of roundabouts, turn lanes, lighting and rumble strips to improve safety on the Standing Rock and Fort Berthold Indian reservations after problematic areas were identified in a 2017 Roadway Safety Review…Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., along with Rep. Kelly Armstrong, all Republicans from North Dakota, wrote Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in a letter dated March 23 asking for support so that the funds could go to improve safety for pedestrians and vehicles traveling in busy areas near schools, workplaces and homes. “This construction project provides direct benefits to two underserved areas and addresses disparities in rural transportation infrastructure,” the letter stated. “North Dakota’s economy has grown significantly over the past decade, which has placed additional strain on our state’s infrastructure, including the State Highway System. While the state has made tremendous efforts to meet these ever-increasing needs, additional federal funding is needed to help ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods and people,” the letter stated.
USDA grants NDSA request to revise calf indemnity rate in disaster program
Farm & Ranch Guide
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) welcomed news on July 20 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has revised the payment rate for young calves through its Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Following two record-setting, border-to-border, spring storms in April that claimed thousands of cattle in the state, NDSA made the request to the federal agency in early May after gaps in LIP became apparent…Schafer wanted to give a big shout out in thanks to Marcy Svenningsen and Zach Ducheneaux, who used the NDSA’s data in the state office’s pitch to the federal office, as well as Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, who amplified the concerns of producers to USDA in congressional hearings and correspondence. “While the disaster program doesn’t bring back the animals nor the generations of hard work, selection, and breeding that were lost, it will help producers recover after these catastrophic storms, which came on the heels of record-setting drought. The revised value is much more accurate and reflective of real-life pricing.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer visits North Dakota prison to learn about living and working conditions of inmates
KFYR-TV
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, paid a visit to the North Dakota State Penitentiary Thursday to see how the state’s prison functions. He spoke with the Prison Fellowship Academy, the Restoring Promises Unit and Rough Rider Industries, all of which are designed to improve living and working conditions of incarcerated individuals. “By treating individuals with dignity, they demonstrate each person has value. By providing skills training, they add value to their clients and the community,” said Cramer. Incarcerated individuals working in Rough Rider Industries learn to make goods from furniture to signs.
Senator John Hoeven talks inflation, agriculture in northwest North Dakota
KFYR-TV
While the U.S. House voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven met with people in Williams County to hear about how inflation is affecting them. Several topics were discussed at a roundtable hosted by the Williston Chamber of Commerce, including rising ag prices, supply chain issues, workforce, and energy costs. Hoeven warned that passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will not alleviate high prices. “By increasing taxes on companies and businesses that produce the goods and services, as well as taxing things like methane, [Democrats] are increasing the cost of energy at a time we need to bring it down,” said Hoeven. One part of the Inflation Reduction Act calls for the hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents. Hoeven said that will negatively impact small business owners. “You know they are going to go after our small businesses, and that is the absolute wrong thing to do. Our small businesses are the backbone of our commerce here in North Dakota and across the country,” said Hoeven. Hoeven added that one of the best solutions is to improve domestic oil and gas production, which can be done in the Bakken.
GOP’s risky proposition: Rebuffing a fossil fuel-friendly climate bill
Politico
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) criticized Manchin for bailing on bipartisan meetings that the West Virginian convened in the early summer in which centrists discussed ways to address climate change and lower energy prices that spiked after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In those meetings, Democrats and Republicans — including Cramer and Cassidy — discussed ideas that Manchin and Schumer ended up agreeing to, such as relaxing permitting rules and providing tax credits to support a bevy of carbon-free clean energy technologies. “We weren’t going to get to 60 votes, but we probably could have within the next one to two years regardless of the election result this fall,” Cramer said. “The Democrats’ bill really takes all that momentum and turns climate back into a skins vs. shirts game.”
Sen. John Hoeven announces summer interns
Grand Forks Herald
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., announced six interns on Thursday, Aug. 11, that are serving in his offices in Washington and Bismarck. Alexandra Kindem is interning in Hoeven’s Bismarck office, while Ashley Johnson, Jack Mehus, Natalia Brama, Quinn Wrigley and Sara Ziegler are interning in the Republican senator’s Washington office this summer. The internship program “provides college students with a firsthand opportunity to track legislation and assist with research, administrative work, communications and constituent services,” according to a news release.
State delegation reacts to raid of Trump’s home
Minot Daily News
Sen. Kevin Cramer released a statement to Twitter saying, “This is a total show.” “The burden of proof and doubt does not rest where it normally would in a scenario like this one because we have a politicized and activist Department of Justice,” Cramer continued. “There needs to be a reckoning.” Rep. Kelly Armstrong decried the search, declaring it “an unprecedented escalation of DOJ’s political intimidation tactics.” Sen. John Hoeven’s response simply called for federal law enforcement to enforce the law impartially rather than politically, saying the “DOJ must be transparent with the American people.”
Natural gas pipeline ‘vital for future of southeastern North Dakota’
Wahpeton Daily News
“North Dakota is a leader in energy development, but in order to build upon our past success, we need FERC to help unleash more domestic energy production and enable us to construct pipeline infrastructure, like WBI’s expansion project, to bring that energy to market,” Hoeven said. If approved, the Wahpeton Expansion Project is expected to be constructed beginning in early 2024. Service would then begin that November. The completed 60.5 mile, 12-inch diameter pipeline would deliver 20.6 million cubic feet of natural gas from Mapleton, North Dakota, to Wahpeton, News Monitor previously reported.
State leaders break ground stormwater channel for F-M Diversion
KVRR
“I think we formally started it after the 2009 flood. I can remember getting together, I was governor at the time, with Governor Pawlenty and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got to have permanent protection here, we can’t be fighting a flood every year,” North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said. The channel will protect more than 230,000 homes, businesses, schools and hospitals from catastrophic floods. That’s about $25 billion in property value.
Fargo receives $1.5 million grant to replace 12th Avenue bridge
Inforum
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $1.5 million to the city of Fargo to help replace the 12th Avenue North bridge. Announced in a press release on Tuesday, Aug. 9, by Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, along with Rep. Kelly Armstrong, all Republicans who represent North Dakota, the funding was made available through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program. The 12th Avenue North Bridge closes frequently due to high waters from the Red River during spring flooding, limiting crossing options for those who commute between Fargo and Moorhead.
Grand Forks International Airport awarded $9.39 million for projects
Grand Forks Herald
A $9.39 million grant will help fund a list of projects and upgrades at Grand Forks International Airport, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant was announced Monday afternoon in releases from the office of U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven. According to the release, the intent of the grant is to construct a 20,000-square-foot hangar for aircraft storage, for maintenance, and to modify the existing terminal building by adding a replacement Customs and Border Protection facility to better accommodate passenger loads.
U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, law enforcement officials discuss topics during roundtable
Devils Lake Journal
A roundtable at the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center (LRLEC) was the perfect opportunity for law enforcement officers and officials to discuss various topics with U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong Wednesday morning. Armstrong was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing North Dakota in 2018. The Aug. 3 roundtable allowed law enforcement officials – including the Ramsey County Sheriff Department and Devils Lake Police Department – to voice their opinions to the congressman. Topics included retention and recruitment of law enforcement officers and mental health among adults and juveniles. “We have to figure out as communities, we have to figure out at the state [and] we have to figure out at the national level,” Armstrong said after the meeting. “Three things you absolutely have to have from a human resources standpoint for a community to maintain and grow is good teachers, good [police officers] and good healthcare. And for various, different reasons, we are starting to see real issues in recruiting in all three of those fields.”
Democrats Pass Massive Economic Bill Along Party Lines in U.S. Senate, Heads To House Next
KFGO
No Republicans supported the legislation. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said the Inflation Reduction Act creates higher taxes and more spending. Senator Kevin Cramer said instead of taking steps to fix the economic crisis, the Biden Administration and the Democrats are “doubling down on the dumb policies that created this mess in the first place.”
PRESS RELEASE – NDGOP Condemns Fargo School Board Pledge of Allegiance Ban
BISMARCK – Today, Perrie Schafer, Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party (“NDGOP”) released the following statement in response to this week’s vote by the Fargo School Board to exclude the Pledge of Allegiance from School Board meetings:
“The Fargo School Board vote is an affront to our American values and all who have sacrificed in protecting our freedoms. The claim by the School Board that the Pledge of Allegiance violates their so-called diversity code is nothing short of laughable when you consider that our flag symbolizes a country that is the most diverse and tolerant nation on earth and one that ensures equal opportunity for all. This vote underscores the importance of electing Republicans up and down the ballot this November — and in all local races going forward. We cannot get complacent. We must run good candidates, and they must serve our values to put a stop the radical liberal agenda that is harming our children and the future of our state.”
PRESS RELEASE – NDGOP Statement on Mar-A-Lago Raid
BISMARCK – Perrie Schafer, Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party (“NDGOP”), released the following statement in response to the FBI’s raid on the home of former President Donald J. Trump:
“This is a dark day for America. The FBI’s raid on President Trump’s personal home shows a disturbing overreach of our justice system and seriously undermines the public’s trust in our institutions. This is particularly true given the fact that law enforcement has not been nearly as aggressive in investigating Democrats such as Hillary Clinton, who kept classified information on a personal server, and Hunter Biden, whose personal indiscretions and corrupt foreign dealings have left America vulnerable to our adversaries,” said Schafer.
He continued: “Make no mistake about it: the Democrats won’t stop with President Trump; they’re coming for all of us using their unchecked power. Just in the past few days, Democrats have rammed through a massive new spending bill that will hire 87,000 new IRS agents, making it one of the largest, most powerful agencies in Washington that will harass small businesses and the Democrats’ ideological opponents with impunity.”
Schafer concluded, “This raid underscores the importance of electing Republicans in November. Right now, there is no limit on what the Democrats can do. A Republican Congress can put an end to the madness and stop the witch hunt against decent, law-abiding Americans.”
Roughrider Roundup – August 8, 2022
Dear Fellow Republicans,
We wanted to provide you with a roundup of everything you might have missed from North Dakota’s great Republican leaders this past week. Please share with family and friends!
Perrie Schafer, NDGOP Chairman
RNC Statement on Raid of Mar-a-Lago
WASHINGTON – Today, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement on the raid of Mar-a-Lago:
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Countless times we have examples of Democrats flouting the law and abusing power with no recourse. Democrats continually weaponize the bureaucracy against Republicans. This raid is outrageous. This abuse of power must stop and the only way to do that is to elect Republicans in November.”
PRESS RELEASE – NDGOP Chairman Schafer’s Response to “Bidenflation” Bill
BISMARCK – Today, Perrie Schafer, Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party (“NDGOP”), released the following statement in response to new details emerging about the Manchin-Schumer “Bidenflation” bill:
“Americans were not fooled by the White House’s recent attempts to change the definition of ‘recession,’ and they certainly will not buy the Biden Administration’s desperate attempt to revive their Build Back Broke spending plan. Plainly stated, this is a terrible bill both for our country and for North Dakota,” said Schafer.
He continued, “When Joe Biden ran for President, he promised over and over again that he would not raise taxes on those making under $400,000 a year. By 2031, this scam plan will shift the new tax burden to up to two-thirds of Americans making less than that, completely violating his campaign promise. The bill will also add $80 billion to the IRS, and $288 billion in subsidies for Obamacare. Instead of investing in the clean and safe domestic energy production that we do here in North Dakota, this bill once again favors Green New Deal-style policies that will enact a new natural gas tax that could take away 100,000 jobs and increase the Royalty Rate on federal lands,”
Schafer concluded, “From the very first day of his administration, Joe Biden cruelly gutted thousands of North Dakota jobs in canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline, and every decision he has made since then has hurt the people of our state. I commend Senators Cramer and Hoeven, along with Congressman Armstrong, for their leadership in opposing this terrible legislation.”
Roughrider Roundup – August 1, 2022
Dear Fellow Republicans,
We wanted to provide you with a roundup of everything you might have missed from North Dakota’s great Republican leaders this past week. Please share with family and friends!
Perrie Schafer, NDGOP Chairman
PRESS RELEASE – NDGOP Statement on Recession
“Joe Biden and the Democrats in Congress have created an economic nightmare for American families. From skyrocketing prices to depressed wages, we are suffering because of the far-left’s grip on the Democratic Party. Make no mistake about it: voters will remember who is responsible for this recession come November.”
-Perrie Schafer, NDGOP Chairman
Roughrider Roundup – July 25, 2022
Happy Monday!
Dear Fellow Republicans,
We wanted to provide you with a roundup of everything you might have missed from North Dakota’s great Republican leaders this past week. Please share with family and friends!
Perrie Schafer, NDGOP Chairman
Photo of the Week
RNC
– Perrie
NDGOP
North Dakota
ND Attorney General say July 28 abortion ban should stick
The North Dakota attorney general’s office says a motion seeking to block enforcement of a so-called trigger law that would shut down the state’s lone abortion clinic should be denied. The state says the law was administered property by Attorney General Drew Wrigley. He certified a July 28 closing date shortly after a U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturned Roe v. Wade. The clinic says Wrigley was premature in starting the 30-day countdown and should have waited for the official judgment.
North Dakota State Capitol tour enhancements unveiled
The Valley City Times Record
The North Dakota Office of Management and Budget today announced two new ways to experience a tour of the North Dakota State Capitol: self-guided on kiosks located throughout the Capitol, and virtually online.“These new tour options offer innovative gateways to enjoying the rich history, architecture and beauty of the North Dakota Capitol,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “We’re grateful to OMB and Facility Management for embracing technology to enhance and enrich the experiences of North Dakota residents and visitors in the seat of state government.”
How Biden’s executive orders on climate change affect ND
KFYR-TV
Wednesday, President Biden announced $2.3 billion in new funding to assist communities facing extreme heat and to bolster the offshore wind industry. According to White House officials, this is the first of a series of moves the president plans to take on climate…Last week, Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak testified that while the president’s larger goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy might be achievable, it will be expensive and could have “serious consequences” if done too quickly.
Shortened port hours hurt border traffic
Minot Daily News
Business has dropped off nearly 60% at Bootleggers Bar & Grill in Noonan without the Canadian traffic that owner Debbie Glasoe used to be able to depend on. Her business is not the only one hurting because of shorter port of entry hours in North Dakota…Earlier this month, Gov. Doug Burgum reiterated his request to CBP to restore pre-pandemic hours at 10 ports where daily operations were reduced by four to six hours.
North Dakota 2023 Teacher of the Year finalists announced
AM 1100 The Flag
State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced the list earlier today, each person in contest for the title, a $15,000 grant, and to be entered for the National Teacher of the Year award. “As a state, we want to lift up our educators and give them the honor and respect they richly deserve,” said Superintendent Baesler “They have handled some of the toughest educational challenges in the history of our state in recent years, and they have done it with confidence and style. These four finalists are exemplars of excellence in their profession, and all of North Dakota should be proud of them.” The list includes Bismarck Centennial Elementary teacher Abby DuBord, Northern Cass Public School third-grade English teacher Megan Margerum, Grand Forks Red River High School English instructor Ivona Todorovic, and Linton High School Business education instructor Megan Wald.
North Dakota Harvest Hotline activated
The Bismarck Tribune
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has activated the North Dakota Harvest Hotline. The service that was first implemented in 1992 helps hook up farmers who need custom combiners with commercial harvesters looking for work. “Both farmers and harvesters are already utilizing the service,” Goehring said. State agriculture department employees will answer calls to 701-425-8454 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Callers can leave a message on evenings and weekends. The service is free. A self-service Harvest Hotline map also is available again this year on the department website, http://www.nd.gov/ndda/. Click on “Resource Maps.”
Feds boost payment rates for rancher aid program; North Dakota crops in good shape
The Bismarck Tribune
The federal government has revised the payment rates for young calves under a program that aims to help ranchers hit by disasters such as the string of blizzards that pummeled western North Dakota in April…Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide emergency and a statewide disaster in the wake of the storms. President Joe Biden earlier this month granted a presidential disaster declaration requested by Burgum for 40 counties.
Super weed palmer amaranth found in 15th North Dakota county
The Bismarck Tribune
The super weed palmer amaranth has been found in a 15th North Dakota county. Two plants on the side of a Traill County road that were close to an existing infestation just over the county line in Cass County was confirmed to be palmer amaranth by the National Agricultural Genotyping Center in Fargo, which used DNA analysis. “While the Traill County finding has already been quickly managed, the public is urged to contact and work with their local weed officers and other experts to identify and report any suspect plants,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Palmer amaranth may spread through multiple channels, including contaminated seed mixes; equipment and machinery; animal feed, bedding and manure; and wildlife.”
Burgum appears at TEDx Fargo
AM 1100 The Flag
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is sharing ideas on breaking boundaries at TEDx Fargo. Burgum appeared Thursday during the introductions for the TEDx Talk Conference. The theme for the eleventh annual event focuses on going beyond boundaries to look forward to what’s possible. This was Burgum’s first appearance at the event since he helped launch it in 2012. The conference welcomed 12 speakers from across the country to Fargo Civic Center to speak about their experiences.
Insurance department to analyze blockchain use on assessing uninsured motorist
Insurance News Net
The North Dakota Insurance coverage Division (NDID), along side the North Dakota Division of Transportation (NDDOT), is conducting a proof-of-concept (“POC”) leveraging blockchain know-how to establish uninsured drivers…“We’re excited to be working to search out options to an issue in North Dakota,” mentioned Insurance coverage Commissioner Jon Godfread. “Working with the openIDL blockchain platform and AAIS will assist us see if this know-how can assist remedy the difficulty via correct, well timed and verifiable data.”
Navigating property insurance
Minot Daily News
Trying to resolve issues with an insurance company on your own can be frustrating, said North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread. “Those individuals work on these products every single day. They’re well versed in the topics and so you’ll be at a disadvantage talking to them,” Godfread said. “Whereas, we can step in the shoes for the consumer. That’s our primary mission is consumer protection and consumer advocacy.” There is no direct cost to the consumer for the service. The program is funded by a tax on insurance premiums and other revenue sources.
New food assistance program announced for North Dakota children
KX News
State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and state Department of Human Services Director Chris Jones announced Thursday that 46,000 North Dakota children will be receiving a new round of food assistance funds this summer. The program is called Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, or P-EBT. The money will benefit two different groups: Children whose households receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds, and children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
Cook’s ‘North Dakota Tour’ includes stops at WCCO, Corteva
Wahpeton Daily News
Shorma’s comments came during a visit from Dr. David Cook, the 15th president of North Dakota State University. Making his first visit to the Twin Towns Area, Cook stopped Monday at two Wahpeton businesses, WCCO and Corteva Agriscience. The traveling was part of Cook’s North Dakota Tour, a 10-day statewide journey including casual conversations with leaders, social opportunities and for the public to meet and greet NDSU Athletics staff and coaches…Other participants in Cook’s visit included Justin Neppl, director of the Southern Valley Economic Development Authority (SVEDA) and North Dakota state Sen. Larry Luick and state Rep. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck, both R-District 25. Cook said he has had warm interactions with leaders including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, R-N.D.
North Dakota Secretary of State warning businesses about unsolicited text messages
WDAY
North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger is warning businesses about unsolicited text messages related to the filing of annual reports. Jaeger says his office has received complaints about the text messages over the past few weeks. Officials say the messages may include a false filing deadline for a business’s annual report and further encourage businesses to file the report “the easy way.” A false link is included in the text that leads to a pay page for an inflated filing fee. At least one business has fallen victim to the fraudulent messages.
Skills for All available in North Dakota
Minot Daily News
Due to an expanded partnership, the Cisco Networking Academy skills-to-job program called Skills for All will be available to all residents in North Dakota, according to the office of Gov. Doug Burgum. North Dakota is the first state to provide these courses statewide at no cost to all residents, according to the governor. The Cisco Networking Academy Skills for All program provides free, quality, mobile, self-paced, online learning aligned to industry jobs, providing a pathway to a career in technology. There are numerous courses, badging and industry certifications available, with an emphasis on cybersecurity, along with coding, networking essentials, Internet of Things (IoT) and other technology-focused courses.
North Dakota political organizers may face charges over failed ballot measure petition
AM 1100 The Flag
A group of North Dakota political organizers may face criminal charges after a failed ballot measure petition effort. Secretary of State Al Jaeger says the petition for a ballot measure to enact term limits contained some signatures that were “likely forged” and that others included “paid bonuses” for getting signatures. The bureau of Criminal Investigation is looking into the allegations. Ward County officials will determine whether to bring charges.
North Dakota ethanol plant becomes nation’s first to capture, store carbon emissions underground
The Jamestown Sun
The Red Trail Energy ethanol plant has become the first facility in the United States to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions deep underground. The milestone was announced Monday, July 18, although the injection of carbon dioxide captured from the plant started on June 16. Every day, the plant will capture about 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide produced by fermenting corn to make fuel. North Dakota officials ballyhooed the development as a major step forward in the state’s efforts to demonstrate the commercial effectiveness of capturing carbon emissions to store carbon dioxide. “By capturing and storing carbon from ethanol production, Red Trail Energy is helping to pave the way for the long-term viability of current energy sources in North Dakota with innovative and environmental stewardship,” Gov. Doug Burgum said.
Washington, D.C.
Senator Hoeven pressing federal agencies to resume longer operating hours at ND ports of entry
KFGO
In a call with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, Senator John Hoeven pressed the agency to resume pre-pandemic operating hours at the northern North Dakota ports of entry. Hoeven said the limited hours at the northern ports have forced travelers to go far out of their way in order to cross the border, not only costing significant time and money but also worsening supply chain constraints.
Sen. Cramer sounds alarm on China’s ‘concerning’ purchase of farmland near North Dakota Air Force base [WATCH]
Fox News
After a Chinese company purchased farmland in North Dakota, Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer sounded the alarm Tuesday about how “problematic” the deal is, stressing its proximity to a U.S. Air Force base. “It’s 370 acres near Grand Forks, which is in the heart of the Red River Valley. In other words, it’s very productive farmland,” said on “Fox & Friends.” Cramer said the military facility houses sensitive drone technology connected to space and satellite operations. “Proximity both to important farmland and an important air base makes this particularly problematic,” he told Brian Kilmeade.
Protecting national security in ND prime concern
Minot Daily News
North Dakota’s U.S. senators, John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, along with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, announced recently they are looking into the matter of the agricultural land the Chinese company purchased about 12 miles from Grand Forks air base. It’s rightly so for them to do such.
ND National Guard in busiest sector of southern border
KFYR-TV
A North Dakota lawmaker says the National Guard troops at the southern border are proving to be effective. In October, about 125 guard soldiers from North Dakota traveled to Del Rio, Texas. Senator John Hoeven has traveled to the southern border several times since then, and he says North Dakota’s troops are in the thick of the border crisis. “It just shows how important the mission of our Guard is. They are now in the busiest sector on the entire southern border, trying to support what Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol are doing,” said Senator John Hoeven. Senator Hoeven also noted how dangerous the job can be. In March, two North Dakota Guard soldiers rescued migrants from drowning while crossing the Rio Grande. The deployment of North Dakota’s Guardsmen is expected to last for about one year in total.
Feds boost payment rates for rancher aid program; North Dakota crops in good shape
The Bismarck Tribune
The federal government has revised the payment rates for young calves under a program that aims to help ranchers hit by disasters such as the string of blizzards that pummeled western North Dakota in April…The revised rates will increase compensation for young calves, according to the delegation and the Stockmen’s. For example, aid for beef cattle weighing less than 250 pounds will rise from $175 — which represented an average market price of $233 — to $474, representing a market value of about $632, according to U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, both R-N.D…Separately, the Federal Highway Administration has awarded North Dakota’s Transportation Department $500,000 to repair federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that were damaged by the April snowstorms in western North Dakota and by severe flooding in the east, according to Cramer.
US Baby Formula Shortage Persists, Will ‘Take A While To Fix’
The nationwide baby formula shortage that federal leaders once said would be fixed within weeks has dragged on for months, despite tons of imports and key steps forward in domestic production. Formula stock rates have been dropping since the end of February, when the US Food and Drug Administration shut down a major formula plant and issued a recall of products manufactured there after an inspection found dangerous bacteria in several areas…At Wednesday’s Senate meeting, Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, said he “can’t overstate” his concern around the formula shortage. “We have to make sure that we don’t have something like that happen again. Going forward, I think that FDA should treat essential foods such as infant formula in the same manner the agency treats essential medicines,” he said.
GOP Pushes Back on Race-Based Housing Subsidies
Breitbart
The plans would establish race-based housing subsidies that would aim to “address racial and ethnic disparities in homeownership and wealth that have persisted for generations. The Senate Republicans noted that Freddie Mac may decide to dole out these subsidies to “anyone who self-identifies as Black, Latino, or American Indian/Native American.” Fannie Mae will focus on “the needs of “Black homeowners and renters.” The Senate Banking Republicans said that the FHFA proposal seems “intent on repeating the mistakes of the recent past,” in reference to the 2008 financial crisis. Sen[.]…Kevin Cramer (R-ND)…signed on to the letter to the FHFA.
Americans brace for possible looming recession – What you can do to prepare
Valley News Live
Senator John Hoeven tweeting, “Solution is simple: each additional barrel of oil we produce in the U.S. Helps reduce prices & lowers inflation for american consumers. Plus, each barrel of oil we produce here replaces production from russia & other countries that also have little to no environmental standards.”
Biden ready to invoke ‘domestic mobilization’ against climate crisis after Congress failed
Washington Times
Republicans on Capitol Hill scoffed at the plan and questioned whether Mr. Biden has the legal authority to do it. “I don’t believe he has the power to declare a climate emergency,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Republican. “I don’t think there’s such a thing as a climate emergency. There are weather emergencies, we know what those are. There’s not a climate emergency.”
House GOP Plans Multiple Probes of Biden Administration
Newsmax
House Republicans, preparing for a likely takeover of the chamber next year, are already planning a series of investigations into the Biden administration, Politico is reporting. The GOP lawmakers are getting set to look at a number of issues including Hunter Biden’s business dealings, the southern border, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan…While the midterms remain months away, Republican lawmakers are already dividing up which committee will lead which investigation. And Republican lawmakers are also talking about the investigations with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., about the probes, according to the news outlet. “I’ve been really impressed with leadership — both from [Rep.] Jim [Jordan], from [Rep.] Jamie Comer, from Kevin’s office — in already starting to talk about that,” Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., said.
Roughrider Roundup – July 18, 2022
Dear Fellow Republicans,
We wanted to provide you with a roundup of everything you might have missed from North Dakota’s great Republican leaders this past week. Please share with family and friends!
Perrie Schafer, NDGOP Chairman