Plain Talk

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.

Rob and Todd Mitchell from KFYR AM550 in Bismarck talk about the Greta Thunberg mural controversy. Eventually. After all the stuff about Pauly Shore movies.

Bismarck-based filmmaker Matt Fern has been making a documentary about the controversy around the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname for seven years now. This spring, he's finally ready to put it in front of wide audiences. The film, now called Fighting Over Sioux, will get a theatrical release in North Dakota this spring, to be followed by availability in other media such as online streaming. Fern talks about his journey in making this film and why the story is still relevant today. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

On the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970, Rob and Jay discuss the controversy over a Great Thunberg mural in Bismarck.

"Art is art," Governor Doug Burgum said of a controversy in Bismarck over a mural of activist Greta Thunberg. "Art is free speech." On this episode of Plain Talk, he also discussed what he described as our "broken energy market" which is contributing to the financial woes of a major coal-fired power plant owned by Great River Energy. Burgum responded to the recently-launched campaign of a potential Democratic challenger in 2020. He said he hasn't yet met Dr. Shelley Lenz, but agreed with her calls to promote North Dakota's animal agriculture even as he disagreed with her claims that western North Dakota has been ignored under his administration. Burgum said one way to help animal agriculture, and agriculture, in general, is to end North Dakota's corporate farming ban. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Dr. Shelley Lenz is a Veternarian, originally from Ohio but a resident of western North Dakota since 2007 with long-standing familial ties to the region. She's running for governor as a Democrat, though she says she doesn't really have a party. She talks on this episode of Plain Talk about why she feels the state government is ignoring western North Dakota, how she'd address the state's workforce needs, and what her views are when it comes to energy, social issues, taxes, and regulation. This episode of Plain Talk was brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

A company which owns a coal-fired energy plant in North Dakota says they're facing financial struggles. Senator Kevin Cramer says it's because the government has put its finger on the scale in the energy markets, and talks about how the issue could be remedied. He also discusses Trump's acquittal from impeachment charges, the blow-back against fellow Republican Senator Mitt Romney for voting not to acquit, and the President's State of the Union address. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

David Owen, a pro-marijuana activist working to put legalization of recreational pot on North Dakota's 2020 ballot, says a Legislative study into how to handle legalization has gone "off the rails," including testimony from a former prison warden who suggested a tie between pot use and Satan worship. This episode of Plain Talks was brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

In 2017, North Dakota lawmakers made electronic pull tab machines legal for charitable gaming. That resulted in a 52 percent increase in state gaming revenue, but tribal casinos have taken a hit. North Dakota Indian Affairs Commissioner Scott Davis says that when this legislation was being debated, tribal interests were assured that it wouldn't impact their casinos. Yet it has. Davis says tribal casinos have seen a 30 to 45 percent decline in revenues. "I don't want to use the word duped," Davis said, but the tribes feel duped.

Rob and Jay talk about the Super Bowl halftime show, Rush Limbaugh's lung cancer, and tribal gaming.

On this episode of Plain Talk, state Rep. Tom Beadle joins me to talk about the campaign he just announced for Treasurer, an office the existence of which he once voted to put on the office. Beadle says he was voting more to have the debate at the ballot box than out of any real conviction to end the office. He says these days he's convinced it's important to have an independent Treasurer to provide oversight and transparency for the state's finances. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Congressman Kelly Armstrong talks about his efforts to hold the FBI accountable for their abuse and manipulation of the FISA court. He also talks about President Trump signing the new USMCA trade deal, the state of the nation's economy, the on-going political fight over impeachment, and why Derek Jeter wasn't a unanimous inductee to the Hall of Fame. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Zach Raknerud is a Democrat from Minot who has launched a campaign for the U.S. House, challenging incumbent Congressman Kelly Armstrong. On this episode, he talks about why Trump is so popular in North Dakota, how Democrats can win over Republican voters, and what he'd do in Congress if elected. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

State Senator Scott Meyer is a Republican from District 18, a Grand Forks-area jurisdiction that is historically pretty left-wing. Up until 2016, it elected nothing but Democrats, but for the three years, it has been represented by two Republicans and a Democrat, among them Meyer. How did a Republican, in the Trump era, win over a Democratic district? Meyer talks to Rob about it. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Going way, way off the topic they planned (as usual) Rob and Jay talk about newspaper endorsements in political races and the 2020 presidential race during Rob's weekly Monday appearance on Jay's show.