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
In Memorium
Shortly before the New Year, we sadly lost our friend, colleague, and patriot Representative George Keiser to ALS. We admire his brave fight against this terrible disease, and we honor great the legacy of service and leadership he brought to North Dakota. May God Bless him and his family. – Perrie
North Dakota
Watch: Burgum gets license to go ‘Bobcat hunting’ before Bison-Bobcat match
KVRR
Burgum is involved in a wager over the outcome of the game with Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte. If the Bison win, Gianforte has agreed to give Burgum a basket of Montana goodies including beef jerky, huckleberry jam, craft beer and whiskey.
ND Public Service Commission approves crude pipeline application near Epping
KFYR TV
The state Public Service Commission approved an application by Hiland Crude LLC last week for the 2.9-mile pipeline that will connect gathering facilities to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Commissioners called it a straight-forward project. “In the event construction is undertaken by Hiland after topsoil has frozen to the point that frost inhibits proper soil segregation, Hiland will follow applicable winter construction guidelines,” said Chairwoman Julie Fedorchak.
Burgum to deliver State of the State Address in Fargo
KVRR
Gov. Doug Burgum will deliver his 2022 State of the State Address in Fargo. Burgum’s presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Reineke Fine Arts Center on the NDSU campus.
It’s now official: Coal Creek’s sale to Rainbow Energy clears Minnesota hurdle
KX News
Gov. Doug Burgum released a statement following the Minnesota approval, noting the move is “a momentous step” toward Rainbow Energy taking ownership of the Coal Creek Station and providing “a long-term future for the power plant, its workers and the communities” supported by jobs at Coal Creek and nearby Falkirk Mine.
North Dakota facing propane shortage, Burgum waives HOS for haulers
AM 1100 The Flag
Governor Doug Burgum is taking action to avoid further propane shortages in North Dakota. Burgum signed an executive order Tuesday afternoon waiving the hours-of-service requirement for propane haulers. The waiver will last for 30 days and went immediately into effect as the state faces extremely low propane inventories and increased demand.
ND’s new tax commissioner
KFYR TV
Brian Kroshus was announced as the new tax commissioner in December. He takes office at the start of a new tax season and says he has big hopes for his new role…As for what people should know going into this tax season? Kroshus suggests people take advantage of tax credits available to them. “There is a tax credit that both the legislature and the governor were supportive of. That’s in place, that’s up to $350 for an individual filer and $700 for a family,” said Kroshus.
After city’s ‘unprecedented’ year in Legislature, Sen. Ray Holmberg named Herald’s 2021 Person of the Year
Grand Forks Herald
Gov. Doug Burgum said Grand Forks is “tremendously fortunate” to be able to draw upon the experience and representation of Holmberg. “As a passionate advocate for the citizens of Grand Forks and all North Dakotans, Ray consistently delivers for his constituents. He is also a true statesman of the Legislature, treating his fellow lawmakers with dignity and respect and always speaking eloquently on the Senate floor,” Burgum said. “It’s no secret that he possesses a razor wit, frequently offering a one-liner to keep the chamber in good spirits. Quite simply, Sen. Holmberg is a joy to work with and a treasure of the Legislature whose legacy is firmly secured. We are deeply grateful for his incredible 45 years of service to the state of North Dakota and its citizens.”
Washington, D.C.
Senators wager North Dakota ice cream, Montana beef ahead of FCS Championship
KVRR
Sen. Kevin Cramer announced on social media that he made the bet with Sen. Jon Tester of Montana. “If the Bison win – and we fully expect they’re going to – he’s going to owe me some of his custom-butchered cattle, some beef, for me and my staff,” Cramer said. “If, as I expect, won’t happen, the Bobcats get lucky and the Bison slip on a banana peel or something, we’re going to have to give him a whole bunch of Cass-Clay ice cream.”
Senators Hoeven, Daines make friendly wager on FCS game
AM 1100 The Flag
If the Bison win, Daines will give Hoeven some Montana beef. If the Bobcats come out on top, Hoeven will give the Montana Senator North Dakota steaks. The losing senator will also have to wear the winning team’s jersey for a photo.
North Dakota and Montana Senators and Representatives join in on FCS game wager
KX News
North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong and Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale also made a wager, but on hunting in their respective state.
Kevin Cramer, John Hoeven, Kelly Armstrong join push against federal vax mandate
Jamestown Sun
All three members of North Dakota’s congressional delegation have joined a legal brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to put a sweeping federal vaccine mandate on hold…“President Biden’s vaccine mandate on private employers is a clear violation of individual rights and goes far beyond any authority granted by Congress,” Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, said in a prepared statement released by his office…“This coercive action is an egregious overreach by the (federal government) and they should be kept in check,” Cramer tweeted. “Neither Congress nor the Constitution gave them this authority. Armstrong, in a Thursday interview, reiterated his opposition to the mandate. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” he said. “… In the most extraordinary times your rules and procedures and your due process have to work better, not worse. And that doesn’t matter if you’re a construction company in Dickinson or the recipient of a congressional subpoena.”
Conservation groups hope Congress comes through with CWD Relief
Devils Lake Journal
Mike Leahy – director of wildlife, hunting and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation – said getting this deadly disease under control is critical before it affects hunting seasons. Leahy said hunters are a big part of the conservation community…CWD, first found in North Dakota in 2009, attacks the brain of the infected animal and is contagious and fatal. As for the House bill, it’s co-sponsored by the state’s lone congressman, Rep. Kelly Armstrong – R-Dickinson. It has been referred to a Senate committee…North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven – R-N.D. – has introduced past Senate bills dealing with CWD and conservationists hope he backs these measures.
Drought major concern for crop, livestock producers in 2021
Minot Daily News
In September, Hoeven, along with Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, announced following a roundtable in Burlington a new program to provide assistance with feed transportation costs for livestock producers dealing with drought conditions.
