Government

Sunday Blue Law One Step Closer to Being a Thing of the Past

One day after voting down a bill to kill North Dakota's Blue Laws, the House reconsidered and passed the bill

The Sunday morning Blue Laws are one step closer to being a thing of the past in North Dakota. The bill will move to the senate where there is strong support on both sides of the isle. Some local city officials believe the Blue Laws hurt the competitive edge of some Fargo businesses. “Those sales and those sales tax dollars…

Proposed Bill in Minnesota Could Help Farmers’ Property Taxes

In a panel discussion held Friday Minnesota representatives met with local farmers to hear concerns and go over a proposed property tax credit

Minnesota farmers have been dealing with rising property taxes over the past ten years. Now, a proposed bill could help alleviate some of those costs. Property taxes for Minnesota farmers have increased by 114% in the last 10 years. Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith said a combination of rising property values, demand for school improvements and lowered commodity prices have…

Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Responds to Inauguration

Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith says she has some concerns coming into the Trump era

We spoke with Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith about what her hopes are with Trump taking office. Lieutenant Governor Smith said regardless of who is being elected, she always appreciates seeing the American Democratic system demonstrate its most prestigious ceremony. She said they have different views on certain subjects including trade and she is concerned about what affect his actions…

How Would Repealing the Blue Law Affect Fargo Businesses?

The answer is less obvious than you may think and opinons are all accross the board on this one

How would you like to shop in North Dakota before noon on a Sunday? A state lawmaker is trying to make that happen. Because of the blue law in North Dakota, some Fargo retailers said they could be missing out on extra sales. “The more hours you’re open, you make more sales,” said Chris Heaton, Senior Vice President of Property…

BreatheND Urges Lawmakers to Continue Funding

BreatheND is the center of two bills being proposed this session, one would completely defund the program and the other would keep it alive

BreatheND asked state legislators to think twice before voting on a bill that would defund the program. In a press conference at Sanford Health in downtown Fargo, employees and advocates of the program highlighted the strides in reducing tobacco use made by BreatheND since its creation back in 2008. They said between 2013 and 2015 the program cut high school…

Minnesota State Representative Ben Lien Shares Hopes for New Session

Sitting down with the League of Woman Voter of the Red River Valley Lien talks about the issues being discussed in the state legislature

FARGO, N.D. Minnesota’s Assistant Minority Leader, Ben Lien from Moorhead answered questions Friday afternoon in Fargo. Lien spoke to the League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley. With the Minnesota Legislature under Republican control, Democrats, lead by Governor Dayton, will face some obstacles. Lien said the two hardest bills to pass will be the bonding bill and a…