Plain Talk

The political parties didn't hold their traditional biannual state conventions. The candidates were constrained in their ability to campaign in person. All of the voting was done by mail. The President of the United States endorsed in a down-ballot primary race for a sleepy executive branch office with little influence over actual public policy. This primary season was probably the most unusual in North Dakota's history. State Rep. Tom Beadle (R-Fargo) looks to have won the primary for Treasurer over his opponent, Rep. Dan Johnston (R-Kathryn), and on this episode of Plain Talk he spoke out about what it was like to campaign amid coronavirus, and against a candidate who has Donald Trump on his side. "It definitely got weird," Beadle told me. He said at one point, the personal attacks against him - from Johnston's supporters if not the candidate himself - got very ugly and very personal. "They were attacking my wife and I because we haven't been blessed with kids yet," he said. Governor Doug Burgum backed Beadle in a big way, a part of a roughly $2 million effort on his behalf to promote his preferred candidates in the NDGOP primary. "I'm very grateful for the support the governor had for my candidacy," Beadle said. What would he say to those arguing that Burgum bought the election? "I'm a believer that we're the grand old party, a big-tent party," Beadle said, noting that those complaining about the governor's efforts were involved in the Liberty ND PAC. That group, apparently now defunct, was supported by the libertarian-leaning wing of the NDGOP. Beadle also continues to support Trump, despite the president's endorsement of Johnston. "One thing I can say is this administration has been fantastic for North Dakota."

"If Governor Burgum's people win it will be a huge blow to conservatism," state Rep. Rick Becker said on this episode of Plain Talk. Becker is a Republican lawmaker from Bismarck and a founder of the Bastiat Caucus of conservatives in the Legislature. He was responding to a question about Governor Doug Burgum's involvement in the NDGOP primary season. Burgum has backed a number of candidates in contested legislative primaries across the state, as well a state Rep. Thomas Beadle in the NDGOP's nomination race for Treasurer, and he's put about $2 million of his own money behind the effort. Though Burgum is backing mostly candidates endorsed by the local NDGOP districts - incumbent Rep. Jeff Magrum in District 28 is the lone exception - Becker sees problems if Burgum gets his way. "His remaking of the Legislature in his own image is not good for the Republican party. It's not good for the state," Becker said. "I think it's unseemly," he added. "We know he doesn't care about the local party or the process," Becker said, addressing the fact that Burgum is mostly backing NDGOP-endorsed candidates and pointing to the fact that, in 2016, Burgum himself failed to receive the NDGOP's endorsement but campaigned for and won the gubernatorial nomination on the June ballot anyway. Has Burgum been a good Governor? "I don't think he's been horrible," Becker responded, damning the incumbent with some faint praise. Becker says he's liked Burgum's pursuit of efficiencies in the executive branch, and he also liked that Burgum challenged what he described as the "coronation" of Republican Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem as governor in 2016, but that his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, as one example, hasn't been to his liking. Given Burgum's use of his personal wealth in the 2020 primary campaigns, does Becker think North Dakota needs more restrictions on political money? "I think what he's doing is crap," Becker responded, "but I don't think we need knee-jerk legislative intervention."

Rob and Jay talk about the issues surrounding law enforcement, both locally and nationally.

Zach Raknerud is the endorsed candidate of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL for the U.S. House of Representatives. He also acknowledges that he's the underdog, by a country mile, in his race against Republican incumbent Kelly Armstrong. Still, he credits his recent criticism of what he perceived as Armstrong's silence in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis with getting the incumbent to engage. Raknerud also talks about how our nation can recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, how we can improve race relations and law enforcement, and his plan to diminish the power of big business in politics.

"Good cops know who the bad cops are." That's what Congressman Kelly Armstrong said on this episode of Plain Talk, addressing a question about what we can do to solve the problems with racism and abuse in America's law enforcement agencies. Armstrong, a formal criminal defense attorney, argues that most law enforcement officers are good people doing their best with a tough job. He'd like to see them given incentive to "weed out" the bad apples in their own midst. He also addressed an accusation from his opponent, presumptive Democratic House candidate Zach Rankerud, that he's been silent and inactive during the George Floyd protests. "I don't think he's been paying attention," Armstrong said. "I'm comfortable with my background talking about this."

How do we fix our national problem with law enforcement abuse? There's no single silver bullet that will do it, but on this episode of Plain Talk, Fargo defense attorney (and former cop) Mark Friese says one big step in the right direction would be to end to end the qualified immunity America's courts have created for cops. It's a little complicated, but unless the government waives it the police have immunity from lawsuits unless the courts have established that you have the right you're accusing the cops of violating. So unless you can show the court that you have a right not to have a cop kneel on your neck until you are dead, a lawsuit with that complaint is likely to be dismissed. This makes it "almost impossible" for law enforcement to be held accountable in the civil courts. Friese says other steps, such as removing "incentives for police to treat people inappropriately" and generally winnowing the number of crimes on the books, would also help.

Rob and Jay talk about the riots and protests in Fargo.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Fargo Forum columnist Raheem Williams, who is also a resident of downtown Fargo, talks about living through the violent protests which took place there over the weekend. "I never thought in my life I would have to act as a sentry in my own community," Williams told me. We discussed what he saw and did, how the protests evolved from something peaceful to something ugly, and the frustration which comes from watching a righteous cause get undermined by violent thugs.

Jay and Rob talk about the Fargo Forum reducing its print editions and the controversy surrounding North Dakota's Care19 app.

One of the innovative things the State of North Dakota has done during the coronavirus pandemic is work with a Fargo-based developer ProudCrowd to create a contact tracing app. Contract tracing is an epidemiological technique aimed at tracking where an outbreak is happening and who it is happening to so that policies can be targeted. This allows policymakers to better strike a balance between addressing an outbreak while not unduly burdening the public. Tim Brookins is the founder of ProudCrowd, and on this episode of Plain Talk, he talks about how his app has helped during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as recent privacy concerns brought by another app developer. Brookins says his company is not selling data, not only because it would be illegal under his contracts with the states of North and South Dakota, but because "it's completely worthless." The data the Care19 app collects is anonymized, and tech giants like Facebook and Google already collect far more detailed data from many, many more people. Is the Care19 app helping respond to the pandemic? Sort of. "We just have a really a really low usage rate," Brookins said, estimating that about 5 percent of North Dakota's population is using the app. Still, in any given instance of infection, the app can be useful in helping track that person's movements. "If it helps just one person it's worth it," Brookins said. He also said his company is working on a second app which will alert users if they've been near someone who later tests positive for the virus.

Rob and Jay talk about absurd coronavirus restrictions.

Gary Emineth is a long-time activist in North Dakota politics, and at one point was the chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party. He was an outspoken supporter of Governor Doug Burgum's 2016 campaign, but he sees problems in Burgum's decision to spend big money defeating other Republicans in primary races. The Governor is "using his wealth as the chief executive to go after the Legislature," Emineth told me, though Burgum has also intervened in a primary competition for the Treasurer's office as well. Emineth has filed the paperwork to form his own political action committee to try and counteract Burgum's efforts.

Brandt Dick is already a superintendent. He works for the public school system in Underwood, North Dakota. He'd like to continue to be a superintendent, albeit of all of North Dakota's public schools. He's asking North Dakota voters to do that this election year. He's one of three candidates for the position on the June primary ballot, along with incumbent Kirsten Baesler and gadfly candidate Charles Tuttle. Asked about Baesler's job performance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic which prompted statewide school closures, Dick said she's done a "decent job," though he thinks she hasn't been assertive enough. "It seems like there are some times she's allowed the governor to be in control and make decisions," he told me. One area where he's critical is school closures. "Even now two months after we shut down the schools there are still 14 counties that haven't had a case," Dick said. "At what point will the governor give that local control back?" Dick asked. With the school year closing, that may be a moot point now, but more generally Dick says he'd emphasize local control if elected. He became interested in the position of state Superintendent during his work as an advocate for small and rural school districts before the state Legislature. He says he'd like to see fewer decisions made at the state level. Dick also addressed Baesler's recent arrest for driving under the influence. "That's going to be the crux of this race," he told me. "Are [voters] going to say it's time for a change?" "I think I've shown in my career that I am a role model of professionalism," he added. As for his qualifications for the job, he says he's the first acting superintendent to campaign for this job in North Dakota since 1984. He did plan to seek the NDGOP's endorsement for his campaign, though those plans were derailed when the virus caused the party to cancel it's state convention.

On this episode of the Plain Talk podcast, Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) recounts being lectured about not wearing a mask by a reporter who was wearing a mask, albeit around his neck and not up over his mouth and nose. "All this is turning into a new realm of virtue signaling," he said. Will Congress pass more relief legislation for the COVID-19 pandemic? Armstrong thinks so. "There is going to be more legislation," he said, adding that he hopes it's "targeted" unlike a new proposal being touted by Democrats which has a price tag "north of $2 trillion." "I don't see how that's responsible," Armstrong said. He also addressed the announced closure of the Coal Creek Station power plant, and a federal judge in Montana who created chaos with infrastructure projects across the country with a national injunction he ordered in a suit against the Keystone XL pipeline which is before his court. Will Congress seek to limit the authority of the courts to do that sort of thing? "No," Armstrong said bluntly. "We aren't. I wish we would."

Rob and Jay talk about the recent story about workers, fearful of coronavirus, walking out of their jobs at a Fargo business. Was that story fairly reported?

To hear Ladd Erickson tell it, when Coal Creek Station was built the justification for constructing the power transmission line that services it across acres and acres of prime North Dakota farmland (to the consternation of many farmers at the time) was that the coal plant would generate economic activity. Erickson is the State's Attorney for McLean County, and he believes that if Great River Energy wants to shut down and deconstruct their coal power plant, then they ought to take down their power line too and return the land it's using to farmers. "North Dakota has no economic interested in the power line," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. Coal Creek is North Dakota's largest coal-fired power plant. Great River Energy has said they want to find a buyer for the plant, but if they can't they will shut it down in two years. "We hope they're sincere in this effort to sell the plant," Erickson told me, but added that he doesn't believe they can. That transmission line that serves Coal Creek is extremely valuable. It serves the Minnesota market and, if the coal plant is shut down, could be used to transport power generated by wind turbines, but Erickson doesn't believe Great River should get to do that. "The power plant, the mine, and the power line is all one piece of infrastructure," he says, noting the project was regulated that way when it was built and should be treated that way now, too.

"Opening up our own economy is not enough," Dr. Jeremy Jackson, head of North Dakota State University's Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise, said on this episode of Plain Talk. "We need other places to open up." Jackson is the author of a new forecast for North Dakota's economy which has some grim findings. During the interview, he notes that North Dakota is an export state. Our primary industries produce goods which are then sold outside of the state, and often outside of the country. Without that outside demand, it's going to be hard for North Dakota's economy to recover. What can state policymakers do to address this situation? "I don't know what policy can get us out of this mess we're in," he said. "We need some contingency plans," he added.

A one-two punch from the coronavirus pandemic, as well as a price war in the international oil markets, has hit North Dakota hard. Thousands are losing their jobs. Oil production in the state is tanking, and tax revenues are sure to follow. The latter of the two just-mentioned causes for this was kicked off, in part, by Saudi Arabia. On this episode of Plain Talk Fahad Nazer, spokesman for the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Washington D.C., talks to North Dakotans about his country's approach the oil markets. "We don't engage in policies to attack other sectors or other country's economies," Nazer said.

"I don't know how he could have handled it better." That's what Senator Kevin Cramer said on this episode of Plain Talk in praise of Governor and fellow Republican Doug Burgum's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in North Dakota. Cramer has also praised President Donald Trump's handling of the crisis. "His actions have demonstrated federalism," the Senator said, referencing Trump's preference that state's take the lead in responding to the virus. Though Cramer acknowledged that Trump's federalism is more apparent in his actions than his words, with the President at times suggesting his office has unlimited power over the country. The Senator also touched on coronavirus relief efforts, his intention to ensure that oil and gun companies in particular are treated fairly by relief policies, as well as the situation around Coal Creek Station in central North Dakota.

Jason Bohrer is President of the Lignite Energy Council, an industry group representing coal interests in North Dakota. His group made a move about, you guessed it, coal. "You get 50 miles outside those coal mines, people don't know much about them," he said, referring to the coal operations in central North Dakota. "What they do know they get from flawed sources." On May 1, at CoalMovie.com, the Lignite folks are releasing a roughly 30-minute film about the history of coal in North Dakota. What it meant in the past, and what it means going forward. Jason also talked about the fraught politics around coal power today, especially with the news that North Dakota's large coal-fired power plant may be closing. "It used to be Republicans and Democrats could sit in a room and talk about energy and there would be friends of coal on both sides," Jason said. "It's not like that anymore." "There are very few people talking about long-term," Jason continued. "The future is more in doubt now than it was five years ago."

Rob and Jay talk about the news of the day.

Rep. Luke Simons is a Republican lawmaker from Dickinson, North Dakota. On Friday, May 1, he plans to re-open his barbershop and he doesn't care what coronavirus-inspired executive orders Governor Doug Burgum may or may not have in place when that day comes. "I don't care if he's the governor. I don't care if he's a billionaire. I am going to practice my freedom," Simons told me on this episode of Plain Talk. "One has the moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws," Simons added. "The governor does not have the executive authority to be a dictator," Simons also said. "I went along with what I will call tyranny for a long time now." Burgum's Commerce Department has been working with state business and industry leaders on a plan to re-open the economy, but so far there has been no official word on when some of the restrictions put in place might start to ease. In the meantime, Simons says it's his right to re-open his business. "I will not pay the fines," he said.

"We are working on the how. We are not working on the when." That's what North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer said on this episode of Plain Talk. She was speaking about her department's efforts to come up with a plan for re-opening North Dakota's economy. Parts of it, anyway, Slowly. Kommer praised Governor Doug Burgum's "extraordinary wisdom in not going to the shelter-in-place order" despite demands from some. She said that will allow North Dakota to be a bit ahead of other areas as we look to get back to business. The Commerce Department is soliciting input from business and industry leaders on how they can safely re-open so that plans can be open when Burgum decides to back off the restrictions he implemented in response to the pandemic. Kommer also addressed the conclusion of an investigation into alleged criminal wrong-doing in her department over the solicitation and implementation of a new state logo. State Auditor Josh Gallion's office had referred audit findings to law enforcement officials for investigation, but that resulted in no criminal findings. Kommer says she objects to the way the report was handled, saying it was "paralyzing" for her office. She said the result brought "a certain amount of relief" but "also a lot of frustration and maybe a touch of anger."

Jay and Rob talk headlines on WDAY AM-970.

A group of Republican lawmakers in North Dakota is urging Governor Doug Burgum to re-open the state's economy, rescinding or at least letting expire many of the executive orders he's put in place in response to the coronavirus. "The governor, if he opens up, is not going to kill people," Rep. Dan Ruby, a Republican from Minot and leader of that effort, said on this episode of Plain Talk. Ruby says the intent of the government was never to stop everyone from getting the virus. Eventually, everyone will be exposed, he told me. "The government wanted to prevent a spike" in hospitalizations, Ruby said, noting that North Dakota has just 13 people current hospitalized from coronavirus. "Mission accomplished." "I'm not saying everybody should be forced to immediately open," Ruby explained but said it's time to let many businesses open when they feel they can protect their employees and customers.

Senator Kevin Cramer is very hopeful that an international oil cartel is going to work to help stabilize global oil markets. He talked about that issue as well as America's on-going relationship with China and what more Congress might need to do in terms of coronavirus relief on this episode of Plain Talk.

Dr. Shelley Lenz is a veterinarian based in western North Dakota. She's also running unopposed for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL's gubernatorial nomination. "I would have issued it, yes," she said when asked on this episode of Plain Talk about whether she would have issued a "shelter-in-place" order. North Dakota is one of a few states which haven't seen such an order. Incumbent Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, has resisted calls to issue one. Lenz says she would have, and that overall if she had been in Burgum's place, should have more direct and authoratative orders earlier. Though despite that criticism, Lenz says she's rooting for Burgum, and admits she voted for him in 2016. "All of us want him to do a good job," she said. "None of us want him to fail." Former lawmaker and current farmer Ben Vig, who was recently announced as Lenz's running mate, also joined the interview. He talked about the Legislature's role in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, the challenges North Dakota agriculture is facing, and how Democrats can win back support in rural America.

Rob Port and Jay Thomas talk about whether North Dakota should order a shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

The ACLU of North Dakota, among other organizations, has called on Governor Doug Burgum to issue a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the coronavirus crisis. Dane DeKrey, a spokesman for the ACLU, says it's about protecting renters but not making landlords the bad guys. "We have no interest in trying to screw landlords," DeKrey said on this episode of Plain Talk. What the ACLU would like to see is an executive order which states that individuals can't be evicted, can't be foreclosed on, can't be charged late fees or interest for failure to pay, and can't see their credit rating downgraded. DeKrey says he does still wand landlords to be paid what they're owed, just not right now. "We're asking for a pause button," he added. Why should landlords be forced into a situation where they're providing, at their expense, relief from coronavirus? "That's a good question," DeKrey said, adding that it doesn't have an easy answer.

During their weekly segment, Rob and Jay discuss the push to stop evictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

After helping to pass a massive relief bill for a nation afflicted by coronavirus, Congressman Kelly Armstrong says he'll have to quarantine for two weeks after returning to North Dakota from Washington D.C. "The North Dakota Department of Health recommends that people coming in from out of state self-quarantine," Armstrong said on this episode of Plain Talk while describing the nation's capital as a "petrie dish" right now. "I'm going to do my part to flatten the curve," he added. Armstrong says he's currently measuring his temperature twice a day, and will seek testing for the COVID-19 virus if he notices any symptoms. As for the legislation, Armstrong says he expects the IRS will do "everything they can" to get Americans the authorized payments by April 6. He said he was worried about the cost of the bill, and whether all of the policy decisions it implements are sound, but described it as "essentially like eminent domain for our entire economy." Why that comparison? He says the government has asked businesses to isolate themselves from their customers, and that's not unlike a taking. "We've had entire industries have their customer base cut off overnight," he said.

The coronavirus crisis has prompted policy makers in North Dakota, and across the nation, to look at reducing jail and prison populations by letting some low-risk offenders, and some folks in jail pre-trial because they can't make bond, out into the general population. Is that the right move? On this episode of Plain Talk Dane DeKrey from the North Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and Adam Martin from the F5 Project, discuss the issue.

The coronavirus crisis has prompted policy makers in North Dakota, and across the nation, to look at reducing jail and prison populations by letting some low-risk offenders, and some folks in jail pre-trial because they can't make bond, out into the general population. Is that the right move? On this episode of Plain Talk Dane DeKrey from the North Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and Adam Martin from the F5 Project, discuss the issue.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Zach Raknerud pointed out that many North Dakota Democrats are afraid to do interviews with me. "I don't think that's right," he said. Raknerud, who is the candidate North Dakota Democrats endorsed to challenge Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong this cycle, made that point while arguing that he intends to offer North Dakotans a very distinct alternative to the incumbent. A candidate who doesn't sound like past candidates. Raknerud was critical of congressional Democrats for trying to insert issues like the minimum wage into coronavirus relief legislation. "We need to get relief to the American people now," he said, though he said Republicans, for their part, are a bit too focused on corporate bailouts. During the interview, Raknerud also called for a universal basic income, a federal program paying for college tuition, and an expanded Social Security program that would provide things like maternity and sick leave.

Rob and Jay talk about the on-going coronavirus pandemic.

Dan Conn is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Kinesiology at Minot State University. On this episode of Plain Talk, he discusses the challenges related to mobilizing, as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, remote education solutions on the short timeline state leaders like Governor Doug Burgum and Superintendent Kirsten Baesler are asking for. Currently school districts have until April 1 to come up with a plan. Conn says this ask is "very taxing on teachers" and "may be unreasonable." "The worst thing schools could do is overcomplicate things," he said, saying that many of the guidelines issued to school districts by Baesler's office are "daunting" and "overly bureaucratic." Conn believes parents worried about keeping their kids learning during times of social distancing and quarantine should focus on engagement more than anything else. "I wonder if it would make better sense for parents to teach children things they already know," he said. Parents who know how to sew could teach that skill to their kids, for example. "I think a lot of that is B.S.," Conn said when asked about concerns with students losing education momentum during what could be an extended break. "In terms of education going backward, I don't think it works that way," he said.

Senator Kevin Cramer says Congress is aiming to get stimulus checks, a response to the coronavirus crisis, into the bank accounts of Americans by April 6. That's what he said on this episode of Plain Talk. The legislation isn't finalized yet, but he expects each individual to get in the ballpark of $1,200 each. The cut off for the full amount would start at a $75,000 per-year income for individuals, or $150,000 per year for couples. Cramer says he doesn't like calling this move stimulus. He says it's more about "providing a floor for the economy" during a bad time, adding that he's "not a big fan of it" but will support the payments and other stimulus measures. Cramer also talked about a recent phone call he had with the ambassador for Saudi Arabia, calling on them to back down from a price war he says is intended to destroy American oil producers. Also discussed was the impact stimulus efforts will have on the national debt and the possibility of Congress going to remote voting.

During their weekly segment Rob and Jay Thomas from WDAY AM970 in Fargo talk about the coronavirus and its impact on the region.

"You need to do what's best for the state not what's best for the party." That's what Mark Haugen, Democratic candidate for North Dakota Treasurer, said on this episode of Plain Talk. He talks about some of the recent problems in the Treasurer's office, what he'd have done about them, what elements of his background commend him to hold this office, and how he'll convince voters in a deeply Republican state to trust a Democratic candidate. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Ron Ness of the North Dakota Petroleum Council talks about the problems the state's oil industry is facing amid a slowing economy, coronavirus fears, and a price war set off by Russia and Saudi Arabia. "The Bakken is one of the best oil resources in the world," Ness says, and it's "still going to produce oil." Still, things are hard right now. "This is a very challenging period," he said. The industry isn't asking for sympathy, but he knows some industry leaders in the state are already starting to make decisions regarding on-going investments in the state. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

As a guest on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in Fargo, Rob talks about coronavirus media coverage.

On this episode of Plain Talk, North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong talks about the coronavirus situation, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's controversial comments about the Supreme Court, the Trump administration's deal with the Taliban, and his 2020 fundraising. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

A week ago Superintendent Kirsten Baesler was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. On today's episode of Plain Talk she talks about how she came to be arrested, why she refused to take sobriety tests, what she's seeking in terms of treatment and counseling, and why North Dakota voters should give her another four years in office despite this incident. Baesler said she drank three "craft beers" while at a Bismarck restaurant with a colleague and was talking on her phone when the law enforcement officer stopped her. The officer told her she had crossed the fog line on the road multiple times. "In hindsight that's something I wish I hadn't refused," Baesler said when asked why she didn't take a breathalyzer or blood test (she says she did agree to a field sobriety test). She says she was "confused" about what the officer was asking her to do, and knows little about DUI laws. She denied that the alcohol she consumed contributed to this confusion. She said she has reached out to an organization for input on treatment, and has been told that outpatient therapy is what is needed. She says her desire for help is real and not politically motivated. "I would never use this for a public or political reason," Baesler told me, adding that she doesn't know if she's an alcoholic. Baesler does believe she'll have to work less while she seeks treatment. "I believe I'll be able to come to work Monday through Friday," she said, but added she may need to cut down on her weekly workload to 50 hours or less. Asked if she plans to continue drinking, Baesler said "it's not something that's a part of my life now." What would she tell students who are hearing about her arrest? She would tell them to take responsibility. "You don't shy away," Baesler said. "Don't let yourself get swallowed up in the shame of this." This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob makes his weekly appearance on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in Fargo. Rob and Jay talk about e-tab machines and the impact they're having on tribal casinos, a ballot measure to end property taxes, and the 2020 presidential race.

"I plan to raise in excess of $1.5 million for this." That's what state Rep. Rick Becker said on this episode of Plain Talk. He was describing a nascent campaign behind a new initiated measure to end North Dakota property taxes. The plan is to rely on donations from North Dakotans. Becker says he's asking supporters to cut a check for 20 percent of their property tax bill. The campaign has $100,000 in pledges so far. North Dakota voters have considered this before. In 2012 a constitutional amendment ending property taxes went down in flames, with over 76 percent of voters casting a ballot against it. "We had an opportunity in 2012 and we let it go by," Becker said, arguing that the previous iteration of this proposal didn't give lawmakers enough time to adjust to a tax environment in which they cannot rely on property taxes. Becker says that, among other problems, is why a "fear" campaign from opponents was successful. He said the 2012 campaign didn't have enough answers for curious voters. "When you're up against a campaign of fear you have to have answers." Becker's proposal, if passed, wouldn't be implemented until 2022, giving lawmakers time to meet and iron out any issues. Would this mean other taxes would have to go up? Becker says no, that the revenues could largely come from money the state is already spending. He notes that in 2012 an argument against ending property taxes is that it would put the state 100 percent in charge of school funding, forcing local officials to come begging to lawmakers in Bismarck for funding."When we voted on this in 2012 the state paid 50 percent of school funding," he said. Since then, "the state started paying for 80 percent of school funding." This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Much of the political and news media response to the coronavirus outbreak is "distasteful cheerleading for a health disaster." That's what Senator Kevin Cramer said on this episode of Plain Talk. Condemning a recent New York Times piece referring to coronavirus as "Trump's virus," Cramer said, "I don't there's any question some of the response is political." He does see a silver lining in the situation. "We're getting to see what the best health care system in the world looks like," he said. "So far there haven't been any deaths in the United States." Cramer also talked about the infighting among Democratic 2020 candidates and President Trump's recent visit to India. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rep. Steve Vetter is a Republican from District 18 in Grand Forks. He was one of the Republican candidates elected in blue districts in North Dakota during the Trump wave of 2016. On this episode of Plain Talk, Vetter talks about how he won in a traditionally blue district, what he's done since winning, and how he'll convince voters to give him another four years in office. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

North Dakota Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, a Republican, is seeking re-election to a third term. In this episode, she talks about what she's accomplished, and what she'd still like to accomplish. This episode is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

"We need to make sure that coal is treated fairly," Senator John Hoeven says on this episode of Plain Talk. He talks about the struggles the North Dakota coal industry is facing, and what policies can be put in place to make the energy markets fairer. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob and Jay talk about the upcoming deadline to get your Real ID.