Politics / Elections

Legislators hear testimony on bill to upgrade Fargo National Cemetery

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota legislators heard testimony on Friday for a bill that would fund upgrades to Fargo National Cemetery. The bill would give $3 million to the department of Veteran’s Affairs, which would then be given to a non-profit to be used to fund upgrades for the cemetery. Those who spoke in favor of the bill included Fargo…

Major property tax bill clears committee with flexibility on caps

Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, presents an amendment to a property tax bill on Feb. 6, 2025. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A nearly $500 million property tax overhaul championed by the governor cleared its first hurdle Thursday in the North Dakota House. House Bill 1176 is based on a plan proposed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong earlier this year…

Governor testifies on eliminating unneeded North Dakota boards

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong gives his first State of the State address Jan. 7, 2025, at the Capitol. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Gov. Kelly Armstrong went into a legislative committee Thursday to pitch his idea of creating a task force to eliminate unnecessary North Dakota government boards. “Every board comes with a…

Bill to kill carbon pipeline property tax exemption in North Dakota fails

Sen. Jeffery Magrum, R-Hazelton, speaks on the Senate floor during the organizational session on Dec. 4, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill that would have required carbon dioxide pipeline developer Summit Carbon Solutions to pay property taxes in the first 10 years of operation in North Dakota failed Thursday in the state Senate. Sen….

UPDATE: Thirteen States Sue Over DOGE Access to Government Payment Systems

Elon Musk (Fox News)Democratic attorneys general in several states vowed Thursday to file a lawsuit to stop the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing federal payment systems containing Americans’ sensitive personal information. Thirteen attorneys general, including New York’s Letitia James, said in a statement that they were taking action “in defense of our Constitution, our right to privacy, and the…

Legislators hear testimony on second bill that would affect approval voting in Fargo

BISMARCK, N.D. — There are now two bills being debated in the North Dakota Legislature that would end the practice of approval voting in Fargo. KVRR News reported on HB 1297 last week. That bill would ban approval and ranked choice voting in the state. HB 1307 would make home charter rules that conflict with state laws null and void….

Republican Rep. Demuth Elected Speaker of the House After Deal Reached With Democrats

ST. PAUL (KVRR/AP) — Rep. Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, has been elected as Speaker of the House after a power-sharing agreement was reached with Democrats in the Minnesota House. It ends a stalemate that prevented the chamber from conducting official business for more than three weeks. Under the deal, Demuth will hold the role of speaker for…

Abortion could be considered murder under fetal personhood proposal in North Dakota

A crowd listens to Ginna Cross, an out-of-state anti-abortion advocate, testify in favor of a bill to define a human being to include an unborn child on Feb. 5, 2025. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota lawmakers are weighing whether to allow women who obtain abortions to be charged with murder. House Bill 1373, referred…

Trio of bills addresses justice reform, crowded North Dakota jails

Exterior of the North Dakota State Penitentiary on Feb. 4, 2025. Bills under consideration by state lawmakers aim to address crowding at state prisons and jails. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — When parole and probation officers have to try to collect fees from people on supervised release, “it puts both parties in a difficult situation,” said…

Leadership Agreement Reached and MN House Will Organize Thursday

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — A leadership agreement has been reached between Minnesota House DFL and Republican leaders. They will organize the House effect on Thursday. House DFL Leadership will hold a news conference in the Capitol press conference room at 9:30 a.m. The exact terms of the deal have not yet been released. Republicans have a one-seat advantage over the…