Plain Talk

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.

Rep. Corey Mock (R-Grand Forks) talks about the Legacy Fund, including his amendment to make spending its earnings harder, what we ought to do with the billions of dollars in the fund, and a little bit on initiated measure reform. Also, some thoughts on the Legislature ending North Dakota's Sunday close law. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Should the Christchurch shooting video be censored on the internet? Do we want the government and tech companies getting comfortable blocking controversial content? Also Vicki Granado from Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline, talks about the project's impact on taxes and the economy in North Dakota nearly three years later. This episode of Plain Talk is sponsored by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Audio from Rob's 03/18/19 appearance on the Jay Thomas Show, talking about the Legacy Fund and anti-discrimination legislation in Bismarck.

A New York Times Magazine columnist says it's ok for people to treat other people differently based on skin color...as long as they belong to a minority group. White can't get away with it. Or maybe we shouldn't treat anyone differently based on skin color? Also, North Dakota Lt. Governor Brent Sanford joins to talk about the executive branch's dispute with the Legislature over revenue forecasts. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions, and says the amount of anti-capitalist thinking in Washington D.C. is "very, very scary." Also, are lawmakers being honest with their revenue forecasts? Governor Burgum doesn't think so, and he's probably right. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Senator Kevin Cramer takes reader questions on this episode of Plain Talk, responding to one by suggesting that socialist media darling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might actually be a plant...by Republicans. Speaking of AOC, some of her comments chastising Wells Fargo for financing the Dakota Access Pipeline recently were downright Orwellian. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Could the State of North Dakota be sued over a mistake in transferring oil tax revenues to state funds? Nich Archuleta of North Dakota United, an organization representing the state's public workers and teachers, says his group would like to avoid it but they're keep their options open. Also Senator Ray Holmberg, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, talks about revenue forecasts and finalizing the state's budget. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Rob talks about socialism and the debate over the state's prisons during a segment on the Jay Thomas Show 03-11-19.

ND House Minority Leader Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) joins to talk about the 2019 legislative session so far, including his sense that this session has been less partisan than past sessions. Also, why has victimhood become political currency? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

It seems like many are willing to give Rep. Ilhan Omar a pass for her comments about Jews and Israel that someone of another gender/race/religious background might not get. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong gives an update from Washington D.C. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions this week on the green new deal, immigration policy, President Trump's emergency declaration, and other topics. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp, in full excuse mode after her 2018 election loss, blames being branded a "Democrat" for her election loss. Also Jodi Smith, head of North Dakota's Department of Trust Lands, talks about what her office sees as a mistake in how state oil tax revenues were distributed. This episode of Plain Talk was brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Rob responds to some recent letters to the editor about the podcast and his articles. Also, former Grand Forks Herald publisher Mike Jacobs weighs in on the controversies at the University of North Dakota. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Kris Engelstad McGarry, a trustee of the Engelstad Foundation and spokesperson for the Englestad family, says they'll be withholding their donations from the University of North Dakota until embattled President Mark Kennedy is gone. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong talks about his questioning of Michael Cohen and takes listener questions. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

According to Senator Kevin Cramer, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's testimony before the House was "a lot to do about nothing." The Senator also took listener emails. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

A New York Times columnist says a proposed bill in North Dakota to ban gun buyback programs is one of the dumbest pieces of legislation, like, ever. The sponsor of that bill, Rep. Luke Simons, joins to discuss. This episode of the Plain Talk Podcast is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

State Rep. Shannon Roers Jones (R-Fargo) is frustrated about the way her bill to decriminalize marijuana was handled in the state House. She talks about it on this episode of Plain Talk. Also, UND has decided to nix a controversial employment relationship with its chief of staff. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

People are upset that their tax refunds aren't as large this year as they were in previous years, and they're blaming the Trump tax cuts. Even though most of them probably paid less in taxes. Wouldn't it be better if we junked withholding and sent everyone a bill for government? Also, marijuana activist David Owen talks about the failure of decriminalization in the Legislature and the possibility of a new measure to legalize recreational pot. This episode of Plain Talk brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Congressman Kelly Armstrong is on this episode of Plain Talk taking questions from listeners. You can submit questions for future segments to [email protected]. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this Plain Talk, North Dakota corrections head Leann Bertsch talks about the debate over a women's facility where, according to Bertsch, things are so bad one prisoner had to resort to doing her own dental work. Bertsch says conditions violate the prisoner's 8th amendment rights, and leave North Dakota open to a lawsuit. Also, state lawmakers may want to note what the U.S. Supreme Court has to say about civil asset forfeiture. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk, state Senator David Hogue (R-Minot) talks about his proposed constitutional amendment, which passed the Senate this week, which gives the Legislature a veto over constitutional ballot measures. Also, a recent story about Bakken oil patch crimes illustrates the need for newsroom diversity. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Will President Donald Trump's emergency declaration over border security stand up to scrutiny from the courts and Congress? Senator Kevin Cramer, taking listener questions, says he has his doubts. Also, what can the Jussie Smollet situation tell us? A lot about the state of journalism in American in 2019. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in FArgo, 02-18-2019. Jay and Rob take a citizenship test.

On this episode of Plain Talk, McLean County State's Attorney Ladd Erickson and Fargo-based defense attorney Mark Friese debate the issue of civil asset forfeiture. Also, there is a rising tide of support for socialism in American politics, but it's an evil ideology which leads to suffering and death. This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Discussing the story Rob broke about an employee at the University of North Dakota who will be working from Texas and getting up to $25,000 a year to commute.

State lawmakers say they don't trust the fiscal notes they're getting from the executive branch. The state House has passed a bill that could, using Legacy Fund earnings, eliminate the income tax. 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. On the border wall, he says he likes the proposed compromise, but he doesn't love it. Also a spokesman for a company which will be operating medical marijuana dispensaries in North Dakota talks about the difficulty in getting banking services. This episode of Plain Talk is sponsored by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk, an analysis of political contributions found not one reported contribution to a Republican from a member of the faculty or administration at NDSU. Is this a problem? Also, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has is dragging out the approval process for the Line 3 pipeline just as his predecessor Mark Dayton did. This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

We talk a lot about the power of the people. The wisdom of the masses. But what if the masses are a mob prone to censorship and vigilantism? Also, a dentist makes the case for allowing dental therapists in North Dakota, and state Rep. Craig Headland talks about his bill to use the Legacy Fund to eliminate the income tax. This episode of Plain Tallk brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show, broadcasting on WDAY AM970 in Fargo. Jay and Rob talk about legislation defining land as posted by default as well as the controversy surrounding the use of a meme by state Rep. Rick Becker.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has announced her 2020 presidential campaign, but with her party moving sharply to the left these days, does a self-styled centrist from fly-over country have a chance? Also former Governor Ed Schafer weighs in on the debate around North Dakota's Legacy Fund. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Energy of North Dakota. Learn more at EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

State Rep. Rick Becker (R-Bismarck) caused some controversy when he posted an internet meme showing what some say is a mean-spirited depiction of prison rape. He responds to the controversy, calling his critics "hyper sensitive."

Congressman Kelly Armstrong joined this episode of Plain Talk for what will be weekly segments taking your questions. Submit them via Facebook or Twitter, or email them to [email protected]. Also, should billionaires be illegal? That's a popular opinion among left wing activists and politicians these days, but does it make sense?

This episode of Plain Talk features what will be a regular segment with Senator Kevin Cramer answering questions from both you and me. Email your questions in each week to [email protected] and I'll ask them. This week Cramer talks about donating shutdown salaries - he says it's not very noble - his reaction to Trump's State of the Union address, and his meeting with AG nominee William Barr. Also, North Dakota lawmakers shoot down a hike to the fuel tax, but shouldn't we be willing to pay for good roads?

Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in Fargo/Moorhead talking about civil asset forfeiture legislation.

Big surprise, law enforcement turned out in force to oppose legislation to crack down on civil asset forfeiture. Why is it such a controversial idea to say the cops can't keep your stuff unless you're convicted of a crime? Also, Governor Doug Burgum has been passionately pitching an appropriation for the Teddy Roosevelt presidential library in Medora, but many are skeptical. He defends his position on this episode.

Legislation proposed in Bismarck would remove mandates for eight of North Dakota's 11 institutions of higher education from the state constitution. The Grand Forks Herald, in an editorial, argues this puts those universities at risk. But shouldn't universities exist because they're needed, and not because they're mandated by law? Also state Senator Nicole Poolman (R-Bismarck) talks about her bill to expand North Dakota's school anti-bullying policies to social media situations outside of school.

Is the biggest threat to free speech in America, in 2019, the government? Or us? Also Allan Dickerson, an attorney from the Foundation for the Freedom of Speech, talks about his group's opposition to implementing Measure 1.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Senator John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) talks about his role on a conference committee which is tasked with finding a compromise on border security to avoid another government shutdown. Also, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) is under attack from supporters of Heidi Heitkamp (who he replaced in the Senate) because he is...co-sponsoring a piece of legislation she supports?

On this episode of Plain Talk, state Rep. Tom Beadle talks about his bill - one of two before the Legislature in Bismarck - to legalize sports betting in North Dakota. His would be restricted to professional sports. The other, introduced by Rep. Jason Dockter, would also include amateur sports like collegiate athletics and the Olympics. Also, two free speech groups have come out in opposition to implementing Measure 1. Should lawmakers do it?

Ag Week publisher Katie Pinke talks about North Dakota's corporate farming ban. A bill before the Legislature would widen the ban to let second cousins farm or ranch together, but should it really take an act of the Legislature for you to farm with your second cousin? Also, there is an effort to water down North Dakota's food freedom laws, and it seems to be coming from the grocery industry.

RNC National Spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany joins Rob to explain what the government shutdown did and did not accomplish, whether President Trump lost his leverage by re-opening the government, and the politics around the State of the Union address. Also Rob talks about North Dakota state agencies trying to kill bills they don't like with fiscal notes, and he reacts to Senator Heidi Heitkamp talking about why she lost the 2018 election.

Audio from Rob's weekly appearance on the Jay Thomas Show, airing on WDAY AM970 in Fargo.

If the "red flag" law proposed by state Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (D-Fargo) is used against your gun rights, who pays for your lawyer? Also if such a wide open process can be used to deem people dangerous, and remove their gun rights, do we scare people (like veterans, for instance) from getting treatment for maladies like depression? Or PTSD? Also Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, joins to talk about his group's report showing the oil industry has paid about half of all North Dakota taxes over the last five fiscal years. Do they really need to be taxed more?

State Rep. Scott Louser (R-Minot) talks about his legislation which would require party identification in local elections like county commission, municipal government, and even in sheriff elections. Candidates would have to affiliate themselves with a political party, or choose to list themselves as independent.

State Senator Merrill Piepkorn talks about his legislation to raise North Dakota's oil extraction tax from 5 percent back up to 6.5 percent. It was lowered during the 2015 legislative session as a part of reform that also eliminated an exemption from the extraction tax triggered by low prices. The net revenue impact from those changes has been more than $1 billion in additional revenues for the State of North Dakota.

Rob talks about the Buzzfeed and Covington High School stories, and explores why nobody in America's newsrooms was pumping the brakes on them. Also, Julie Ellingson from the North Dakota Stockmen's Association talks about legislation which would close off even unposted private land to public access unless the landowner gives permission.