North Dakotans should vote no on Measure One in the June primary. That’s the measure that requires initiatives that would amend the state constitution to be limited to a single subject.
Don’t be fooled by this one. This measure was placed on the ballot by the North Dakota Legislature. Legislators don’t like North Dakota citizens passing laws, and this is an effort to stop that. Many lawmakers believe they are the only ones who should pass laws.
What is the problem this measure is trying to fix? Has there been a measure that passed in the state that confused voters because there was more than one subject? Please tell me which one.
Who is to say if a measure is a single topic or not? North Dakota voters approved term limits of eight years for the governor and eight years in each chamber for legislators. Is that one subject or two? Why does it matter?
We should all learn from what happened in South Dakota. In South Dakota in 2020, 54% of the voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana. However, the South Dakota Supreme Court struck down that vote because it violated the state’s single subject rule.
It’s a certainty that similar situations would occur in North Dakota if measure one passes. In fact, if measure one becomes law, it will be virtually impossible for North Dakotans to approve meaningful constitutional amendments.
It must be defeated.
–The Minnesota Legislative session is over, and House Republicans failed the state on two crucial issues: Gun control and ICE.
Motivated by the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Senate Democrats rightfully passed legislation that would have banned assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. Not only did House Republicans shamefully block this bill, but Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth did not even allow a vote on it, despite her own daughter demanding such a vote.
Why is it so hard for Republicans to acknowledge the obvious connection between mass shootings and the weapons used to carry them out?
Senate Democrats also passed a bill that would have helped reign in ICE. Naturally, House Republicans disgracefully killed that one too. The bill would have prevented ICE agents from covering their faces, and required ICE agents to have signed judicial warrants before they could enter schools, daycares, and medical facilities.
Apparently, Minnesota House Republicans either have short memories, or don’t care that ICE terrorized the state and murdered protesters.
Yes, there were some good bills that passed. They include getting tougher on fraud, lowering license tab fees, and increasing the penalty for impersonating a police officer from a misdemeanor to a felony. As you may remember, the man who murdered former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, disguised himself as a police officer.
Still, if just one House Republican demonstrated some courage, this session could have been so much better.
–I am so sorry to hear that Jade Presents has closed its doors. Jade has brought terrific entertainment to Fargo-Moorhead for decades. Now, dozens of shows have been cancelled. Here’s hoping someone comes along to fill the void left by Jade’s departure.
Jade Presents locked (Photo: Jim Shaw)
Meantime, the whole situation is a mess, leaving behind a bad odor. What happens to Jade’s employees? What happens to the venues, such as Bluestem and UP District Festival Field, who were left high and dry after their booked shows were cancelled? What happens to the ticket holders, who have spent good money on these shows? So far, there is no word about any possible refunds.
Chicago playing Bluestem Amphitheater, May 10,2019, Jade Presents concert (Photo:KFGO)
Jade needs to do better for the stakeholders it appears to have stiffed.
–Congrats and best wishes to legendary KFGO News Director Paul Jurgens upon his retirement. After 46 outstanding years in the business, including 43 at KFGO, “Jurgie” has earned the right to step aside.
I worked with and competed against “Jurgie” for most of those years. He’s a true journalist, always pursuing accuracy and fairness. We will all miss his soothing voice.
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