north dakota legislature

North Dakota adds 3 staff to help legislators, another 50 by 2029 proposed

The Legislative Management Committee meets Nov. 13, 2024, in the House chamber. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Three full-time staff will join North Dakota Legislative Council ahead of the 2025 session, with more hiring on the horizon if lawmakers approve the council’s plan for an additional 50 positions by 2029. The three new hires – a communications specialist,…

North Dakota Legislature seeks to fill about 80 temporary positions for upcoming session

The Legislative Management Committee meets Nov. 13, 2024, in the House chamber. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — About 80 temporary jobs are available for North Dakota’s upcoming legislative session in January. Sergeants-at-arms, legislative pages and two categories of committee clerks are important for lawmakers to complete the business set out during the session, said Renae Doan,…

North Dakota could earn an extra $30M over 12 months with changes to Legacy Fund investments

Rep. Keith Kempenich and Treasurer Thomas Beadle listen during a Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board meeting on Nov. 12, 2024. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota has a chance to make more money off its investments after voters narrowly approved a ballot measure last week that limits spending of the state’s largest trust…

North Dakota lawmaker to be reimbursed attorney fees for lawsuit over her Facebook page

State Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, speaks on the House floor during a meeting of the Legislative Management Committee on Nov. 14, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota lawmakers voted Thursday to reimburse Sen. Janne Myrdal for the nearly $50,000 the senator spent defending herself after a constituent sued her for blocking him on Facebook….

Hogan, Ista will lead North Dakota Dems in legislative session

House Minority Leader Zac Ista, left, and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan. (Photos provided by North Dakota Legislative Assembly)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Democrats Sen. Kathy Hogan of Fargo and Rep. Zac Ista of Grand Forks will be minority leaders for the upcoming session, the party announced late Wednesday. Hogan also was minority leader in the 2023 session. Ista…

Republicans keep Lefor, Hogue as leaders for 2025 legislative session

Republicans Rep. Mike Lefor, left, and Sen. David Hogue have been reelected as majority leaders for the 2025 legislative session. (Photos provided by North Dakota Legislative Assembly)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) House Majority Leader Mike Lefor and Senate Majority Leader David Hogue will maintain their leadership roles for the upcoming North Dakota legislative session. Lefor, of Dickinson, and Hogue, of…

How did those 3 names next to my presidential candidate get there?

The names of potential presidential electors are shown on a sample ballot next to their pledged candidates. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (Michael Achterling – North Dakota Monitor) When North Dakotans cast ballots during the presidential race, they are not voting for their chosen candidate directly. Instead, they are voting for the three names next to their chosen candidate –…

Group seeking more money, answers to high maternal mortality in North Dakota

Dr. Dennis Lutz, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Dakota Medical School, shares updates about the school’s maternal mortality program. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (Mary Steurer – North Dakota Monitor) A state-funded group that researches maternal mortality wants the Legislature to increase its funding five-fold to $240,000 for the 2025-2027 budget cycle. North Dakota’s 26-member…

State superintendent says school choice should supplement, not replace education funding

Clockwise from bottom left, Sen. Michelle Axtman, R-Bismarck, Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, Rep. Pat Heinert, R-Bismarck, and Shane Goettle participate in a work group during a meeting of the North Dakota Educational Opportunities Task Force on Sept. 26, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (Mary Steurer – North Dakota Monitor) The state should not fund school choice programs at the expense…