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North Dakota poised to grow electrical grid

The February cold snap served as a powerful reminder that reliable electricity is a non-negotiable, life­ sustaining necessity in North Dakota. Interruption in the flow of electricity impacts human life, safety, business viability and food production, processing and preservation. Beyond our personal needs, health care, commerce, manufacturing, energy production and national security all require a reliable and uninterrupted electric power supply. But it’s not enough just to have electricity. We need to be able to move it, and North Dakota is on track to dramatically grow our electric ...

Restoring fiscal sanity begins with resolution

Imagine going on a spending spree in your golden years and racking up debt for your kids to pay off after you’re gone. Would you do that? Of course not. But that’s exactly what our federal government is doing — to the tune of $37 trillion, or $295,000 per American family. Our country is on a dangerous path to financial ruin. Out-of-control federal spending is stifling economic growth and making it harder to succeed. As your representative, I voted for the House Budget Resolution last week to begin changing course. Defenders of big government have unleashed scare tactics ...

Securing ND’s energy future through innovation

The new year presents North Dakota’s energy industries with great opportunities. While the last four years have brought relentless challenges to our fossil fuel sectors, North Dakota has prevailed. Oil production has consistently remained above one million barrels per day, making us the nation’s third-highest oil-producing state. As federal regulations have prematurely shut down coal-fired power plants across the country, we have maintained this reliable and affordable energy source in our state, and continue to serve as the backbone of our regional grid. As a result of our ...

Working to restore US strength, with ND at center

North Dakota fulfills an ever-growing role in our national defense. Our state leads the way on missions, both new and established, that are critical to U.S. security and ability to push back on the aggressions of our adversaries. We have been laying the groundwork for these efforts for years, going back to my time as governor. With the passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we have the opportunity not only to review the progress we’ve made, but also to chart a path forward where the U.S. can once again lead the world through strength. This will ...

External pressures impact ND insurance costs

In recent years, you may have noticed headlines related to the insurance industry, and, more importantly, you may have experienced its effects firsthand. This could include higher premiums that strain your household budget, reduced availability of certain coverage options, or delays in claim processing after a loss. We’ve witnessed how natural disasters, such as the devastating fires in Western North Dakota and Southern California, can impact communities. Furthermore, high-profile incidents — like the tragic murder of an insurance executive in New York — have highlighted the ...

How to influence your ND legislators decisions

Many North Dakotans communicate with various North Dakota Legislators on a regular basis. The 69th Legislative Assembly organized December 2-4, 2024, and now will convene in regular session on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Below I share a few ideas on how to communicate with your legislators as you promote your ideas to move North Dakota forward. Identify up-and-comers No elected official begins as an incumbent. Almost all had to work hard to win an election, and most started at lower offices. Most governors and senators – with the notable exceptions of those with notoriety in other ...