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
NDGOP
You’re invited!
Primary Night Watch Party
June 14, 2022 @ 6PM
NDGOP HQ
1029 North 5th Street
Bismarck, ND 58501
RNC
This video from the RNC’s research department is a MUST SEE. Democrats just don’t care about the pain Americans feel at the pump. It’s why these midterm elections are so important. – Perrie
North Dakota
June Marks Safety Month in ND
The Valley City Times Record
Governor Doug Burgum has proclaimed June Safety Month here in North Dakota. The summer season is a time of increased rates of unintentional injuries and deaths and it’s an appropriate time to focus attention on injury risks and prevention. “North Dakota residents and all workers deserve to live in communities that promote safe and healthy living,” Governor Burgum says in his State Proclamation.
First woman chosen to lead US Attorney’s Office in North Dakota
The Jamestown Sun
For the first time ever, a woman will lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in North Dakota. Federal Judge Peter Welte swore in Jennifer Puhl as the acting U.S. attorney Friday, June 10, at the Quentin N. Burdick Federal Courthouse in Fargo. On Monday, she will take over for interim U.S. Attorney Nicholas Chase. “Obviously, it’s a great honor, man or woman,” Puhl said. “To be an employee of the United States Attorney’s Office is an awesome responsibility, and I take that seriously. We do important work here.” Former U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley hired Puhl and Chase the same day in 2002. Puhl and Chase praised each other after the swearing-in ceremony, saying they viewed each other as mentors. “This office is in such good hands,” Chase said, adding that he is proud of Puhl. Chase was named acting U.S. attorney in February 2021. His last day at the office was Friday because North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Chase to serve as a judge in the East Central Judicial District.
PSC okays new Bakken pipeline
Prairie Public Broadcasting
“It’s an important route for Bakken crude, which is in high demand throughout our country,” PSC Chairman Julie Fedorchak said. She said that demand is driven by the high price of gasoline. “Never before, in my lifetime, have we seen the demand and impact of the prices,” Fedorchak said. “It’s important to pursue these kinds of projects, because they’re really needed.”
N.D. Calfhood Vaccination Requirement Rescinded for Montana Imports
AM 890 AG News
“Montana has a robust program in place to detect the disease and cattle grazed in the DSA are already required to be vaccinated and tested annually under existing Montana rules,” State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress said. “The board’s decision to recognize Montana’s successful Brucellosis Management Plan removes a burden from market veterinarians and removes some hurdles for our North Dakota producers who are looking to feed Montana cattle.” “The North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division and BOAH continuously monitor animal health risks here and in neighboring states,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Regulations are updated as needed.”
Burgum, featured speakers emphasize essential skills, choice-ready graduates at Dickinson summit
Grand Forks Herald
Burgum highlighted the importance of equipping students with the essential skills needed for life and to ensure that graduates are choice-ready for college, future careers or military service. Nearly 300 educators, students, administrators and local community leaders, including Mayor Scott Decker and North Dakota Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, attended the daylong summit at Dickinson Middle School, which was hosted for the first time on the Western Edge…Burgum highlighted how funding proposed in his Accelerate ND plan and approved by the state Legislature last year is investing $88 million into career academies across North Dakota. The funding, which was awarded by the North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education and must be matched with local funds from public and private partners, includes $3.3 million for the Southwest Area Career and Technical Education Academy in Dickinson. “School districts, colleges and their community and private-sector partners are joining forces to create workforce centers that are inclusive of community needs, drive industry degrees that fill workforce gaps, and support employability skills and adult learning,” Burgum said. “These facilities have the potential to transform how education is delivered and received in our state.”
North Dakota woman ordered to pay $75K in Medicaid fraud case
Grand Forks Herald
A Mandan woman must pay $75,904 in restitution to the state of North Dakota after pleading guilty to Medicaid fraud, according to state Attorney General Drew Wrigley. Rebecca Fruge Anderson pleaded guilty to the felony charge in November 2021. Anderson, a qualified service provider, was audited and found to have fraudulently over-billed on Medicaid care, including for services she did not provide, between 2017 and 2019, Wrigley’s office said in a statement Thursday, June 9 “Rebecca Anderson fraudulently billed and received more than $75,000 from the Medicaid program,” Wrigley said. In addition to the $75,904.95 restitution, Anderson received a two-year suspended jail sentence, three years of supervised probation and was ordered to pay $810 in court fees.
WCCO Belting’s CEO Earns Global Ambassador Award
Industry Today
WCCO Belting (WCCO) today announced that president and CEO Thomas “Tom” Shorma has earned the Global Ambassador Award from the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO). The award recognizes an individual or organization that selflessly assists in the promotion of North Dakota products worldwide and helps strengthen the relationships between North Dakota companies and their international partners. The award was presented by Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford at the awards ceremony held during the organization’s Global Business Connections event on May 24.
Spiritwood facility expected to be online by 2023 harvest
Devils Lake Journal
“As a Top 10 soybean-producing state, the ADM-MPC joint venture is a game-changer that will provide lasting benefits for North Dakota soybean growers,” North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said. “Green Bison will add value and expand the market for one of our farmers’ most important crops, while also creating 75 direct jobs and diversifying our economy to support our communities, our citizens and the entire state. It’s also a shining example of the growing synergy between our agriculture and energy sectors in North Dakota. We appreciate ADM and MPC for this significant investment in our state and their well-placed faith in our highly productive and innovative farmers, and we’re grateful for the efforts of Lt. Gov. Sanford and so many other state, federal and local partners who helped make this happen.”
ND Insurance Commissioner files lawsuit against Pennsylvania long-term care insurance company
Prairie Public Newsroom
North Dakota’s Insurance Commissioner is suing Pennsylvania’s Insurance Commissioner for their role in the Senior Health Insurance Company of Pennsylvania, or SHIP’s undercutting of what was promised to their policyholders. SHIP provided long-term care insurance to citizens across the United States, including 317 residents in North Dakota. SHIP has since gone into “rehabilitation,” and North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread says he suspects the company is insolvent. In order to recoup costs, Godfread says officials in Pennsylvania have attempted to impose rate increases and benefit reductions across the board, without Commissioner approval. “In the long run, what they’re really trying to do is usurp North Dakota law. And we have a process that’s been in place since statehood, really, on how these rate filings are handled and how we get to review these rates and protect our consumers from potentially egregious rate increases.” Godfread says he’s filing the suit to protect consumers in North Dakota, but also wants to avoid setting a bad precedent.
ND Attorney General Drew Wrigley Kicked Off 53 County Tour
NewsDakota
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley has kicked off a 53 county tour of North Dakota. The tour started last weekend as Wrigley, accompanied by Public Service Commissioner Sheri Haugan-Hoffart, visited two counties in Southeastern North Dakota. “I’m excited to kick off my 53 county tour across our great state,” said Attorney General Wrigley. “We will be talking with North Dakotans from every corner of the state and all places in between. I’m looking forward to the journey!”
N.D. Commission Approves $61.2 Million in Cost-Share for Water
NewsDakota
At the North Dakota State Water Commission meeting chaired by Lt. Governor Brent Sanford Tuesday, the Commission approved $61.2 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…The 10-member Water Commission consists of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, and eight members appointed by the governor to serve six-year terms.
Insurance commissioner recognized by firefighters
Minot Daily News
Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread has been recognized by the North Dakota Firefighter’s Association and the North Dakota Fire Chief’s Association for his work supporting the organizations and its members across the state. During the Association’s annual conference in Casselton on June 3, Godfread addressed conference-goers about the work the North Dakota Insurance Department is doing to support firefighters in the state. He received a helmet and honorary membership from the NDFA and a plaque from the Chief’s Association.
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel to visit North Dakota
Jamestown Sun
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel will speak at an event in Bismarck on Wednesday, June 8, to raise money for the North Dakota GOP. Republican Gov. Doug Burgum will also speak at the event held on the rooftop of the International Bank & Trust building near the state Capitol. The event will not be open to the press or the public, according to a party official…North Dakota GOP Chairman Perrie Schafer wrote in an email to the party’s mailing list that “Chairwoman McDaniel and her team have done a great deal to build the largest election integrity team in the RNC’s history to secure the ballot box ahead of these critical midterm elections.”
Washington, D.C.
Armstrong votes against gun control package
Minot Daily News
“Instead of working together, Democrats rushed through gun control measures that encroach on Americans’ Second Amendment right, do little to reduce gun violence, federalize law enforcement, and have zero chance of becoming law. These bills will directly restrict the rights of law-abiding gun owners in North Dakota and around the nation, turning many of them into criminals for exercising a constitutional freedom.”
Spiritwood facility expected to be online by 2023 harvest
Devils Lake Journal
“Today is a great day for North Dakota. This groundbreaking is a celebration of our impressive soybean producers, robust fuel manufacturing industry, and foresight of local leaders,” said Senator Kevin Cramer. “Green Bison Soy Processing will provide good-paying jobs, additional economic opportunities for Spiritwood and Jamestown, and more reliable and profitable markets for producers in the area. This project would not be possible without the work of our state and local leaders over the last few years to make this happen, especially the Bank of North Dakota, whose financial leadership made this possible. I look forward to seeing this facility in action by next year’s harvest.”…North Dakota’s economy depends on freight transportation, including rail, to ship bulk agricultural commodities, energy products and manufactured goods,” said Senator John Hoeven. “We need to ensure that our transportation network remains reliable. This grant will help rehabilitate aging rail and ensure that our producers can continue to get their products to market safely and efficiently.”
Every time Pelosi uses ‘unprecedented’ we change 200 years of procedures and decorum: GOP lawmaker
Fox News
WATCH: North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong shares his perspective of the Jan. 6 hearing and how the committee is not following proper procedures on ‘Fox News @ Night.’
Sen. Hoeven: ‘Unprecedented and growing crisis’ at the US Southern Border must be addressed
KX News
On the Senate floor today, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven spoke regarding the recent struggle to secure the southern border of the United States. In April alone, more than 234,000 illegally crossed the board into the United States. “This unprecedented and growing crisis at the southern border is due to the Biden administration’s misguided immigration policies,” said Hoeven during his speech on the Senate floor. “This includes the lack of enforcement of key tools, including the Remain in Mexico Policy, Third Safe Country Agreements, and the Title 42 Public Health Order.” “I was recently in Del Rio and Eagle Pass, Texas to draw attention to the challenges at the border and to meet with North Dakota Army National Guard soldiers,” he continued. “Our Guard members are providing support to Customs and Border Protection (CPB) in light of the immigration crisis. Our dedicated CBP officers and agents are working tirelessly to try to fulfill their mission of securing the border, with the added pressure and stress of addressing the humanitarian crisis.”
Chinese Investment in US Farmland Prompts Pushback
The Epoch Times
“The critical missions our military executes at Grand Forks Air Force Base must be protected,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said in a statement to the Grand Forks Herald earlier this year. He added that the jobs and economic benefits from the plant must be weighed against “the long-term concerns of China infiltrating our food supply chains.”
Outdoors Notebook: Multi-partner study including North Dakota universities cites grassland benefits
The Jamestown Sun
The U.S. Department of the Interior has awarded more than $2.3 million to North Dakota from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for outdoor recreation projects across the state, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. The funds are authorized by Congress through the LWCF, and the state of North Dakota then allocates the grant funds to support local public parks projects, conservation efforts and expanded outdoor recreation access across the state.
Hoeven continues efforts to ramp up N.D. leadership as energy powerhouse
The Ripon Advance
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) continues to work diligently to help build North Dakota’s role as an energy powerhouse, the lawmaker told attendees to West River Telecom’s 70th Annual Meeting held on June 3 in Hazen, N.D. For instance, to support North Dakota’s rural communities and ensure they remain competitive in the global economy, Sen. Hoeven is working to advance greater access to high-speed broadband service in rural areas and to empower cooperatives like West River Telecom to continue investing in their communities. “Our electric and telecommunications cooperatives are essential to our high quality of life in North Dakota, and we continue working to ensure their future success,” Sen. Hoeven said.
