On this episode of Plain Talk, state Rep. Shannon Roers Jones talks about how her efforts to decriminalize marijuana got turned into legislation which actually increases penalties. Also, a recent debate over fixing a chemistry lab at North Dakota State University revealed some ugly priorities in higher education. This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
State Auditor Josh Gallion pushes back on suggestions from North Dakota State College of Science President John Richman that a recent audit contained information that wasn't true. Also, it's time for parking meters in North Dakota. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
Bonus audio from Rob's segment on the Jay Thomas Show.
Jamie Kelly, editor of the Williston Herald, talks about the struggle some western school districts face when it comes to getting funding from the state. He says things are so bad some students are going to class in closets. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
On this episode of Plain Talk, Congressman Kelly Armstrong talks about his immediate reactions to the Mueller report. He also takes listener questions about term limits and other topics. Also, we should always ask, what is the government protecting us from? In one recent case it was farming with our second cousins. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
On this episode of Plain Talk, state Senator David Hogue (R-Minot) says Democratic lawmakers are "posturing" over ethics legislation they say has too many loopholes. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
Should politicians be able to regulate people who can't vote for them? Why can local governments in North Dakota extend their regulatory reach to people who can't vote in that local government's elections? Also incoming North Dakota U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley talks about the lengthy confirmation process he faced before taking that job, as well as his priorities for doing the job now that he has it. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....
Governor Doug Burgum checks in on this episode of Plain Talk to react to the Legislature overriding his veto of a bill authorizing an interim committee he says has too much power. Also a graduate student and columnist from the University of Colorado says there was a protest against current UND President Mark Kennedy, and there will be more when Kennedy visits the state next week. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....
Audio from the Jay Thomas Show discussing an audit report revealing inappropriate activity at the North Dakota State College of Science.
A subcommittee from the Democrat-controlled House is in North Dakota this week to talk about the state's voter ID law. The ranking member on the committee - Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois, the only Republican on the committee - talks about the politics of it. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
The Legislature wants to put some checks and balances into the process for amending the constitution by way of ballot measures. It's going to be a controversial topic in the next election cycle, I think, but it's the right thing to do. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes your questions about the national debt, the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, and other topics. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....
As he prepares to exit the University of North Dakota, embattled President Mark Kennedy takes a shot at his critics, suggesting controversy over a very cushy employment arrangement he gave his special assistant was born of racism and gender bigotry. Also, Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions about the space force, tax preparation reform, the national debt, and border security. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....
State Rep. Ruth Buffalo says right wing media shouldn't get to question her about her travel expenses. But shouldn't politicians have to face their critics? Also, state Senator Kristin Roers (R-Fargo) talks about her amendment bringing back the issue of decriminalizing marijuana after similar legislation was defeated earlier this session. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
State Rep. Ruth Buffalo won't answer a question about who paid for a trip she took to Tennessee to address a left wing group about, ironically enough, government transparency. Also, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread talks about a reinsurance program his department is taking public comment on. A state-level effort to fix some of the chaos Obamacare has created. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....
Rob talked about Stephen King and driver's education on this week's segment on the Jay Thomas Show.
An idea to use Legacy Funding earnings to reduce, and eventually eliminate, state income taxes is back in the Legislature. Some are opposed to it, but what could be more visionary and beneficial to North Dakotans across the state than reducing tax burdens? Also, we spend a lot of time talking about road safety in North Dakota, so why aren't we adequately funding driver's education in our schools? This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....
Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes audience questions, including one about demands from Democrats to release the full Mueller report, something he says is a "political stunt." Also, Democrats have embraced federalism on marijuana policy. Maybe they should embrace it in other policy areas too? This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
Senator Kevin Cramer takes questions from listeners on closing the border, NATO funding, and the Mueller report. Also, should there be consequences for people who refuse to vaccinate? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
A Republican lawmaker from Minot who styles himself a proponent of religious liberty is objecting to an invocation delivered by a Hindu religious leader. You can't make this stuff up. Also state Rep. Luke Simons talks about his bill, which failed in the state Senate, which would have required that cops get a warrant (or at least have probable cause or the justification of an emergency) before coming on private land and searching buildings. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....
On this episode of Plain Talk, Troy Coons from the Northwest Landowners Association talks about why his group opposes legislation regarding pore space. Don't worry, he also explains what pore space is. Also, some thoughts on the Legislature rejecting an expanded State Board of Higher Education. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show 04/01/2019, talking about occupational licensing for hair braiders and the Legislature possibly overriding Governor Doug Burgum's veto of a hike to drivers license fees.
On this episode of Plain Talk, a hair braider who tried to start a business in Fargo ended up having to move her business to Minnesota because North Dakota's regulations are too strenuous. Also, Senator Jessica Unruh (R-Beulah) talks about a complicated bill concerning pore space and energy development which some are saying is an affront to property rights. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
On this episode of Plain Talk, state Representative Kim Koppelman (R-West Fargo) backed an amendment which would treat marital rape differently for the purposes of parental rights than just plain old rape. Then he lied about offering the amendment. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
On this episode of Plain Talk, Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions about the filibuster, the USMCA trade agreement, the Green New Deal, and funding for the Special Olympics. Also, John Swanson from Enbridge gives an update on their much-delayed Line 3 pipeline project in Minnesota. He says their company is prepared if Dakota Access-style protests happen. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
By the strictures of identity politics actor and accused hate crime hoaxer Jussie Smollett is, by dint of his demographic attributes, automatically a victim. Except, judging by what he seems to have gotten away with in Chicago, it sure seems like he has a lot of privilege. Also, state Senator Janne Myrdal talks about her legislation aimed at stopping criminal political acts against infrastructure like pipelines. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com ....
Reed Hundt, a former head of the FCC who is now heading up an organization called Make Every Vote Count, calls for an end to the Electoral College. But is that what would be best for North Dakota? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show 03/25/2019, talking about the recently released Mueller report.
The Mueller report is out, kind of, and so far the reactions to it are predictable. Think what you want of the report, but the way the national news media went about covering it has damaged our Republic. Also Fargo businessman Don Schilling talks about North Dakota's workforce shortages and what the Legislature ought to be doing to address them. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
The North Dakota Legislature has opened the door to local governments assessing fines for things like traffic violations above state levels. That's fine, but unlike state fines, local fines flow to local government creating a financial incentive to police for profit. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong answers questions during his weekly segment. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions on this episode of Plain Talk, including questions about the Electoral College and funding for the border wall possibly pulling money away from North Dakota military projects. Also, a bar painted a mural in Mandan, and then local government freaked out. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .
