Tuesday, October 31, 2006

In Case You Missed It ... Fargo Forum Editorial: Goehring for N.D. AG Department

Forum Editorial: Goehring for N.D. ag department
The Forum - 10/31/2006

Menoken, N.D., farmer Doug Goehring has our endorsement for North Dakota commissioner of agriculture. Goehring, who again is attempting to unseat incumbent Commissioner Roger Johnson, faces an uphill battle, if recent assessments of the race are accurate. But his qualifications and knowledge of the challenges of 21st century production agriculture qualify him for the job.

Johnson has been a good commissioner. It would be dishonest to conclude otherwise. But his farming philosophy seems rooted in the past. While he’s worked hard to expand the base of agriculture and agri-business in North Dakota, the basic underpinnings of his views about farming seem anti-business. And these days, farming requires a hard-nosed business model to compete in a hostile global marketplace.

Goehring is a serious student of the economics of modern agriculture. His knowledge of both the small and big issues is impressive. His ability to see the need for the integration of North Dakota farming into the global agriculture marketplace will serve the state well. He’s taken that knowledge and developed an approach to farming that embraces change, yet recognizes the legitimate need for a sound farm support program, including workable crop insurance and a permanent disaster provision in the farm bill.

Goehring is an active farmer. He knows what drought means because he’s been on the land. He knows what it takes to keep a family farm operation in the black when weather and/or market conditions turn bad.

To read the rest of the article please visit: http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/144560

Monday, October 30, 2006

In Case You Missed It …. Fargo Forum Editorial: Stenehjem should stay on the job

The Forum
Published Monday, October 30, 2006

Wayne Stenehjem should be re-elected North Dakota’s attorney general. He’s compiled an impressive record of service. He’s been a national leader in the fight against methamphetamine. He’s a champion of protecting, enforcing and enhancing state’s open meetings and open records laws.

The attorney general is running against Mayville attorney Bill Brudvik. The challenger is an experienced, respected attorney. His motivation to run for the job was not political. He genuinely wants to serve the state as an effective, experienced public official. He wins praise for that approach.

But as qualified as Brudvik is to be attorney general, North Dakotans do not need change in that office. Stenehjem’s tenure has been distinguished by focused attention to the office’s many mandates. He has an excellent legal and support staff, and he’s the first to credit them with the office’s consistent success. That’s a mark of good leadership.

His other accomplishments include reviving a cold case unit, a crime lab upgrade, new techniques to detect and arrest Internet criminals. He’s also been a leading voice for criminal rehabilitation and treatment rather than jail time alone.
Stenehjem has earned a third term.

Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.

If you would like to view the original story please visit http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/144479

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In Case You Missed It …. Fargo Forum Editorial: Clark has earned a second 6-year term on N.D. PSC

The Forum
Published Monday, October 30, 2006

Tony Clark’s service on the North Dakota Public Service Commission has been effective, balanced and appropriately low-key. He realizes the complexity of the PSC’s mandate and takes seriously his role as the public’s voice in utility and other regulation.

Clark is being challenged by Fargo attorney Cheryl Bergian. Her campaign has been mostly a one-note song about the alleged gaps in cell phone service in the state. Yes, there are some gaps. But the PSC’s authority in compelling cell phone companies to close the gaps is limited by law. Clark and the commission have put in place a program to raise awareness of the cell phone gap issue, and it’s working.

But the assumption in Bergian’s campaign that the PSC and Clark can magically wave a wand and guarantee high-quality cell phone coverage everywhere all the time is unrealistic.
Clark has helped move the PSC toward a balance between industry’s legitimate needs and consumer advocacy and protection. Holding that balance is a difficult job, given the PSC’s limited resources. But Clark has done well and deserves re-election.

Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.

If you would like to view the original story please visit http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/144480.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

In Case You Missed It ... Minot Daily News: Jaeger, Fong Should Be Re-Elected

Jaeger, Fong should be re-elected
Oct. 25, 2006
Minot Daily News

Incumbents in any political race usually have several advantages, including name recognition and more money in the bank. Challengers face the often daunting task of convincing voters that the incumbent has done something wrong and doesn’t deserve to be re-elected.Such is the case with the races for North Dakota tax commissioner and secretary of state.•

Cory Fong has been tax commissioner since being appointed in June 2005. He is being challenged by Brent Edison. Since Fong took office, corporate tax collections are up, the department processed a record number of tax filings and the department is roughly $1 million under budget in implementing its Integrated Tax System. Those are significant successes. Edison says he would use the office as more of a bully pulpit, and says the tax commissioner should do more in presenting tax policy alternatives to the legislature. Both candidates say out-of-state corporations should pay their fair share of taxes, and both would like to continue to upgrade the system for online filing. We think Fong’s done a fine job in his short time in office, and we expect him to be a stronger voice on tax policy in his next term. The Minot Daily News endorses Cory Fong for tax commissioner.

• Al Jaeger has been secretary of state for 13 years. His opponent, Kristin Hedger, has made a point of hammering Jaeger about the accuracy in the election process. She says any electronic system is susceptible to software problems or glitches. Jaeger has consistently responded that election software must already be independently tested, and that the state already conducts its own thorough testing of the equipment. It seems to be Hedger’s only issue of late, and we think Jaeger has adequately addressed those concerns. Jaeger has done a good job in office, and we don’t think Hedger’s main concern – the reliability of our electronic voting system – has been a problem. The Minot Daily News endorses Al Jaeger for secretary of state.

If you would like to view the original article please visit: http://www.minotdailynews.com/Editorials/articles.asp?articleID=6418

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Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Matt Mechtel: Beltway Seduction Corrupts

From today's Fargo Forum

Beltway seduction corrupts

By Matt Mechtel - 10/24/2006

Washington has become a different world, a world far removed from North Dakota.
Unfortunately, many times those who have been elected end up reflecting Washington views and attitudes. Those who succumb to the Beltway seduction believe they are above the law. This is not new. The Abscam scandal was a manifestation of the Beltway attitude. This elitist attitude has been demonstrated, once again, by Congressman Bob Ney’s refusal to resign after pleading guilty to corruption.

This is not a partisan issue; it is a Potomac issue. Whether it isbig-money lobbyists, self-serving journalists or career bureaucrats, the power to corrupt is all around D.C. It is not only criminal and political corruption that threatens our country. Too many congressmen and senators come to reflect the inside-the-beltway view. This view is very different from the Midwestern common sense, conservative approach that we are used to.

I am running for Congress. You have the right to ask what I would do to ensure that your views and attitudes, along with my principles, will not be compromised during my time in Washington. That is a legitimate question and one that every voter should ask of everyone running for office, particularly national office.

I am a farmer and small businessman. I have spent my life working the soil. My family, my faith, my friends and my farm have formed the set of values I live by. I do not intend to leave them in North Dakota. They will be at the forefront of my approach to the issues and challenges facing our country and state the next two years. My family and friends would expect no less, and you should not expect less of me, either. I expect you to hold me to my commitment to resist the allure of the inside-the-beltway crowd and their corruptive power.

I will not be a quiet, back-of-the-room congressman. That is not my nature. I am a farmer; when I see something that endangers my crops and threatens the future, I do what is necessary. I will take that approach in Washington.

I will post on the Web, every day, my activities of the previous day. You will know who I met with, what bills we worked on, what happened in my committee meetings, and what I did on the floor of Congress. I will post what legislation is being discussed and when hearings and votes will be taken. That will allow you, as my boss, to give me your position on any issue under consideration. I will also post the special-interest lobbyists who visit me. So, there will be no secrets. I will sponsor a bill and lead the effort to make this mandatory for every member of Congress.

I will sponsor a bill to prohibit those who leave the House and Senate and the executive branch, for whatever reason, from ever lobbying Congress and the executive branch. Lobbying has become a corruptive influence on legislation. A perfect example is immigration. The overwhelming majority of Americans of all ethnic backgrounds strongly support an end to illegal immigration. Lobbyists from every special interest swarmed over Congress like an invasion of locusts.

We can change the atmosphere in Washington. Shining the light of truth and common sense will work wonders. I know this will not be popular in D.C., but, as every farmer knows, you have to get rid of the weeds and rot before a bumper crop can grow. Washington is no different. We can do better.

Mechtel, Page, N.D., is the Republican-endorsed candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. E-mail matt@mattmechtel.com

Sunday, October 22, 2006

In Case You Missed It ... Bismarck Tribune: Goehring the Choice for Ag Commissioner



In Case You Missed It ….. Bismarck Tribune: Goehring the Choice for Ag Commissioner

October 22, 2006

The state Department of Agriculture serves a major role in North Dakota, and it matters greatly who leads it.
Its commissioner does more than administer programs. The ag commissioner has the capacity to determine priorities in how the department serves the agricultural industry in the state. The commissioner can, to an increasing degree, lead the efforts of producers to develop markets for the food, fiber and, nowadays, sources of fuel that come from the state’s farms and ranches.
Roger Johnson has been leading the department capably since 1996, but it’s time to inject new ideas and new energy.Doug Goehring, a Menoken farmer, would be a good choice to lead the department in this critical era for the state’s farmers, ranchers and the people in the economic engine that agriculture sustains — in a sense, all of us in the state.

The Tribune urges voters to approve Goehring.

To view the full article please visit http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/10/22/news/opinion/editorials/doc453a7977dbdd2147775187.txt



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Thursday, October 19, 2006

In Case You Missed It ... Fargo Forum Editorial: Beware of Goodies from Dems

Fargo Forum Editorial: Beware of goodies from Dems

The Forum - 10/19/2006

North Dakota Democrats have rolled out property tax and education proposals that are more political than serious. Not only would they be dead on arrival at the Legislature, they also reinforce the tax-and-spend label that Democrats just can’t seem to shed.

The Democrats’ plans apparently are responses to more fiscally responsible proposals by Gov. John Hoeven and Republican legislative leaders. The Dems seem to be waving potentially very expensive carrots at North Dakota voters in an attempt to pick up votes for their tax commissioner candidate, Brent Edison. Edison is challenging incumbent Republican Tax Commissioner Cory Fong, who was appointed to the job. Democrats believe they can knock him off because he’s not an established incumbent.

The politics of the issue are entertaining, but the dollar-and-cents details are more important. The governor’s property tax relief plan is generous and practical in that it includes a simple mechanism for counties to handle the tax break. Taxpayers would see a clear tax-savings line-item on their annual property tax statements. Based on budget surplus projections, the governor’s more conservative plan appears to be sustainable.

The Democrats’ proposal is a pie-in-the-sky assumption that more state money for school districts would automatically translate into property tax relief. It’s also very expensive –
$160 million for schools, compared to Hoeven’s $60 million in additional funding for K-12 education.

(The governor’s property tax plan would cost the state an estimated
$116 million in direct relief to property owners.)

To read the full article please visit http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/143277

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Friday, October 13, 2006

In Case You Missed It ... Bismarck Tribune: Clark Should Stay on PSC

Bismarck Tribune

October 13, 2006

Clark should stay on PSC

Tony Clark, the incumbent president of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, displays an impressive amount of knowledge about the entities and industries the commission deals with or is charged with regulating.

The Tribune's opinion is that North Dakota voters would do well to re-elect him in November.Clark's knowledge of telecommunications public policy is recognized nationally. But he can as easily talk about the progress made in the reclamation of land mined for coal. He becomes animated in speaking about the need for upgrading the electrical transmission infrastructure, so necessary for the future health of an important industry in the state, power generation.

He admits readily that there has been a great deal he's needed to learn in his more than five years as a commissioner - after all, how many of us need to know the requirements for licensing auctioneers as a prerequisite to qualifying for our jobs?

It wasn't as if he came to the position lacking a breadth of experience in public service. He served in the Legislature and had responsible positions in the state's executive branch.

To view the full article please visit www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/10/13/news/opinion/editorials/122204.txt

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Democrat Senate Leader Caught With Hand in the Cookie Jar

TEN QUESTIONS FOR SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV) RELATED TO HIS $1 MILLION LAND DEAL

QUESTION ONE: Why Did You Fail To Disclose Your Land Deal, Thus Violating Ethics Rules In The Process?:

"Reid Did Not Disclose To Congress An Earlier Sale In Which He Transferred His Land To A Company Created By A Friend And Took A Financial Stake In That Company ..." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"Senate Ethics Rules Require Lawmakers To Disclose On Their Annual Ethics Report All Transactions Involving Investment Properties Regardless Of Profit Or Loss And To Report Any Ownership Stake In Companies." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"Kent Cooper, Who Oversaw Government Disclosure Reports For Federal Candidates For Two Decades In The Federal Election Commission, Said Reid's Failure To Report The 2001 Sale And His Ties To Brown's Company Violated Senate Rules." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

QUESTION TWO: Did You Hide Your Partnership With Jay Brown Because He Was At The Center Of A "Major Political Bribery Trial"?:

"[Reid's] Deal Was Engineered By Jay Brown, A Longtime Friend And Former Casino Lawyer Whose Name Surfaced In A Major Political Bribery Trial This Summer And In Other Prior Organized Crime Investigations." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"In 2001, Reid Sold The Land For The Same Price To A Limited Liability Corporation Created By Brown. The Senator Didn't Disclose The Sale On His Annual Public Ethics Report Or Tell Congress He Had Any Stake In Brown's Company." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

QUESTION THREE: Did You Lobby Your Then-Protégé - And Now Convicted Felon - For Help With The Clark County Commission?:

Former House Candidate Dario Herrera (D-NV), Hand Picked To Run By Harry Reid, Was Sentenced To 50-Months In Jail For Accepting Bribes While Chairing The Clark County Commission From 1998-2002. (Adrienne Packer, "Judge Hammers Herrera," Las Vegas Review-Journal, 8/22/06; Jane Ann Morrison, "Reid Says He's Abandoning Candidate Recruitment In Wake Of 2002 Fiasco," Las Vegas Review-Journal, 12/15/03)

In 2002, When Sen. Reid Was "Pressed About All [Of Herrera's] Ethics Problems," He Said: "[Herrera Is] An Honest Man" And "Reaffirmed That Herrera Had His Vote Of Confidence." (National Journal's House Race Hotline, 3/12/02)

Reid Spokesman Nathan Naylor: "Dario [Herrera] is an outstanding candidate, and he has the full support of Senator Reid." (John Mercurio, "[Herrera's] Rocky Month," Roll Call, 4/1/02)
Judge Larry Hicks: "I have never before witnessed a witness spin so carefully the evidence ... This is a collection of convictions that is shocking and extremely disturbing ... this man was Chairman of the Clark County Commission when all these felony offenses occurred." (Adrienne Packer, "Judge Hammers Herrera," Las Vegas Review-Journal, 8/22/06)

QUESTION FOUR: Did A Former Aide Express Concern To You That You Should Report The Land Deal?:

"[The Associated Press] First Learned Of The Transaction From A Former Reid Aide Who Expressed Concern The Deal Hadn't Been Properly Reported." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

QUESTION FIVE: Why Did You Not Disclose "Gifts" Of Extra Income Relating To The Land Deal?:

"Ethics Experts Said Such Informality Raises Questions About Whether Any Of Brown's Tax Payments Amounted To A Benefit For Reid. 'It Might Be A Gift,' Cooper Said." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"[Stanley Brand, Former Democratic Chief Counsel Of The House ] Said The IRS Might View The Handling Of The Land Taxes As Undisclosed Income To Reid ..." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

QUESTION SIX: Why Did Government Officials Feel "Pressured" By Your Discussions On Behalf Of Del Webb Corp.?:

"Around The Time Of The 1998 Sale, [Fred] Lessman And His Company Were Completing A Complicated Federal Land Transfer That Also Involved An Arizona-Based Developer Named Del Webb Corp." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"For Years, Reid Also Had Been Encouraging Interior To Make Land Swaps On Behalf Of Del Webb, Where One Of His Former Aides Worked. In 1994, Reid Wrote A Letter ... On Behalf Of Del Webb, And Then Met Personally With A Top Federal Land Official In Nevada. That Official Claimed In Media Reports He Felt Pressured By The Senator." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"The Next Year, Reid Collected $18,000 In Political Donations From Del Webb's Political Action Committee And Employees." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

QUESTION SEVEN: What Was Your Involvement When A Consultant Used Your Name In Pressuring The Clark County Commission To Rezone The Land Included In This Deal?:

"Clark County Intended For The Property Reid Owned To Be Used Solely For New Housing, Records Show. Just Days Before Reid Sold The Parcels To Brown's Company, Brown Sought Permission In May 2001 To Rezone The Properties So A Shopping Center Could Be Built." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"Career Zoning Officials Objected, Saying The Request Was 'Inconsistent' With Clark County's Master Development Plan. The Town Board In Spring Valley, Where Reid's Property Was Located, Also Voted 4-1 To Reject The Rezoning." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"Before The Approval In September 2001, Brown's Consultant Told Commissioners That Reid Was Involved. 'Mr. Brown's Partner Is Harry Reid, So I Think We Have People In This Community Who You Can Trust To Go Forward And Put A Quality Project Before You,' The Consultant Testified." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

QUESTION EIGHT: Why Did You Not Disclose Your Ownership Stake In Patrick Lane LLC?:

"Reid And His Wife, Landra, Personally Signed The Deeds Selling Their Full Interest In The Property To Brown's Company, Patrick Lane LLC, For The Same $400,000 They Paid In 1998 ..." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"Despite The Sale, Reid Continued To Report On His Public Ethics Reports That He Personally Owned The Land Until It Was Sold Again In 2004. His Disclosure Forms To Congress Do Not Mention An Interest In Patrick Lane Or The Company's Role In The 2004 Sale." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"Reid Isn't Listed Anywhere On Patrick Lane's Corporate Filings With Nevada, Even Though The Land He Sold Accounted For Three-Quarters Of The Company's Assets." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

QUESTION NINE: Did You Fail To Pay Property Taxes On This Land Deal?:

"[Reid And Brown] Continued To Pay The Property Taxes From Their Personal Checking Accounts Even After The Land Was Sold To Patrick Lane In 2001 ..." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

"[U]ltimately, Reid Paid About 74 Percent Of The Property Taxes ... One Year, The Property Tax Payments Were Delinquent And Resulted In A Small Penalty ..." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

QUESTION TEN: Why Did You Hang Up The Phone On A Reporter Who Wanted To Discuss This Land Deal?:

"Reid Hung Up The Phone When Questioned About The Deal During An AP Interview ..." (John Solomon and Kathleen Hennessey, "Reid Got $1 Million For Land He Hadn't Owned For 3 Years," The Associated Press, 10/11/06)

Click Here To Listen To Sen. Reid Hang Up On A Reporter.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Mechtel Talks Military Issues

Matt Mechtel, Republican candidate for Congress, said that we must add personnel to our military. In news conferences held in Grand Forks and Minot, he laid out proposals related to meeting the challenges posed by the War on Terror.

“We must increase the size of our military to meet the threats posed by 21st Century terrorism. I agree with Senator McCain on this issue. We have to be able to put more troops on the ground wherever we are threatened. I recommend that we set a goal to add 100,000 troops, primarily in the Army and Marine Corps, to our active duty forces.”

Mr. Mechtel also called for speeded up deployment of the missile defense system to protect us and our allies.

“SDI will provide a shield for us and for our allies to protect us from missile attacks by rogue nations or terrorist groups. It will stop nations such as North Korea and Iran from threatening their neighbors with nuclear missile blackmail.”

He supported increasing pay and benefits for our military personnel.

“We need to increase the pay and benefits for all our troops; active duty, reserves, and national guard personnel. This will aid in attracting and retaining the best troops available.”

He called for enhanced military cooperation with Japan, Israel, and India. He also said that we have to protect our military and intelligence secrets better.

“Our military must be able to carry the fight to our enemies. They must have the ability to prevail in this war. There will be no higher priority for me in the next session of Congress.”

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

In Case You Missed It ….. Bismarck Tribune: Stenehjem has Earned Third Term in Office

Bismarck Tribune

October 10, 2006

Stenehjem has earned third term in office

Wayne Stenehjem and Bill Brudvik both have experience as attorneys to draw on, which is good, since each wants to be the North Dakota attorney general for the next four years — Stenehjem for his third term, Brudvik as a first-timer.

The similarity pretty much ends with their being lawyers.Brudvik has substantially more years of experience devoted to the practice of law, especially in representing cities, schools and water interests, while Stenehjem was busy serving the people of North Dakota in the political arena and as a capable attorney general.

The grounding in practical politics, chairing the judicial committees of both House and Senate, and after election as attorney general leading the staff in the representation of the state and its entities in significant litigation and mandated regulatory functions — these add up to enough of a reason to re-elect Stenehjem.

Perhaps the clearest distinction between the two men is in Brudvik’s saying, “I am a lawyer, not a career politician,” and Stenehjem’s for the most part demonstrating how a state attorney general’s role both fits into and should be held apart from politics.

Brudvik has latched onto Stenehjem’s record of decisions. He cites how he thinks the attorney general was responsible for prolonging the negotiations over a lawsuit by school districts against the state (Brudvik says, too long, and at too great an expense). He also faults how Stenehjem handled (Brudvik says, failed to investigate sufficiently) complaints in the controversy involving the Republican governor and members of the Board of Higher Education in the firing of university system Chancellor Robert Potts.

It comes with the territory, having one’s decisions criticized and one’s judgment questioned, when the race is for such an important position as attorney general and a challenger looks for issues weighty enough to unseat the incumbent. Stenehjem acted within the realm of good judgment.

Stenehjem offers his list of accomplishments and his record. They merit giving him another term.

To view the full article please visit http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/10/10/news/opinion/editorials/doc452af390556a5671542079.txt


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Monday, October 09, 2006

In Case You Missed It ….. Jaeger Best Fit for Secretary of State Post


Bismarck Tribune
Jaeger Best Fit for Secretary of State Post
October 9, 2006

Some jobs just aren’t exciting on the surface.

This election year many of the local and state races involve offices that perform important functions but operate out of the limelight.

The secretary of state’s race is one of them.The department handles campaign finance and disclosure reports; coordinates elections and results; and handles business filings, among other things.

Important work, but not something that grabs the public’s attention.

Republican Al Jaeger has held the office since 1993.

He’s worked over the years to improve the services the office provides the public.

He’s made technological improvements. He’s trained election workers on new machines and encouraged North Dakotans to vote.

Jaeger can go through an impressive list of accomplishments. It’s what he was elected to do, and he’s done a good job.

To view the full article please visit http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/10/09/news/opinion/editorials/doc4528061735c0f421902560.txt

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Sunday, October 08, 2006

Dwight Grotberg: A Better Plan for Farmers

From today's Fargo Forum

Your opinion: A better plan for farmers
By Dwight Grotberg - 10/08/2006

On Oct. 3, The Forum asked the question of where I stand on disaster legislation for our farmers. I believe we can secure funding for current disasters by laying out a new plan for future ones now.

A few days ago the disaster supplemental bill for our agricultural losses failed to pass again. The blame has been put on the president and Republican members of Congress for striking it down.
I believe it’s also the responsibility of our senator to write legislation that will get passed. This is the third year in a row that tying disaster assistance onto other pending legislation has failed. As a state, we need the president and both houses of Congress on the side of our farmers. We are losing national support, and we need to change our approach to making our needs known.

Three years of inadequately covered disasters are taking their toll on many farmers. In the future, North Dakota farmers need a plan that protects them from inevitable hard times.
I will work for legislative changes for our farmers as well as all consumers of energy. These changes include an overall strategy and long-term approach to secure a greater demand base for American agricultural products and stimulate a National Security Initiative through domestic energy production:

- A National Security Initiative for energy that works together with the 2007 farm bill. Energy prices are causing serious inflation throughout our economy. America can and should be the source for our energy needs, and traditional petroleum products and bio-fuels from America can meet this demand at a lower cost to consumers and the federal government.

- Reducing restrictions on building refineries and increasing domestic petroleum production. We must be able to meet petroleum demand by tapping into our reserves on coastal waters and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge region, as well as North Dakota’s own oil and coal reserves.

- Billions of dollars can be saved in the farm bill by higher demand for energy commodities such as corn, soybeans and canola. Increase in demand for these types of commodities helps to solve overproduction of other commodities. Livestock producers benefit from an abundant feed by-product supply. To prepare for disasters, we should use these potential savings to invest in a disaster relief fund and offer affordable insurance that matches cost of production. Federal assistance for emergencies can be provided quickly if the funding is already available.

- Protect our farmers and ranchers from environmental mandates that negatively affect production. Both grain and livestock producers are threatened from over-reaching national programs that don’t work for their local situations. Farmer-initiated and controlled conservation should be encouraged.

- Allow farmers and ranchers to put a significant percentage of their annual gross income into a tax-free shelter they could draw upon when a crisis occurs or when opportunities arise.

- Compensate farmers for land planted prior to flooding. Farmers are now covered only on those acres that are prevented from being planted. Yields should be calculated on only the harvested acres. Excess water is costing North Dakotans millions of dollars every year. Both farmers and local suppliers of inputs such as seed and machinery are affected. We need a solution to this problem.

- Protect our bio-fuel, sugar and livestock industries from unfair world trade issues. Free trade as a whole is beneficial; unfortunately, some industries become negatively affected and need to be protected.

We have to stop legislating from crisis to crisis. We need to be represented as a people with a plan in order to regain support from non-agriculture-centered states and our president. My plan will be based on growing both food and energy, for our farmers and for our national security.

Grotberg is a Wimbledon, N.D., area farmer and the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Poolman Protects North Dakota's Consumers


Poolman Permanently Revokes Fargo Agent's License

Bismarck, ND – Today Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman permanently revoked the insurance license of Fargo insurance agent David A. Skjerven. This action is a result of Skjerven's alleged misuse of millions of dollars of client funds.

Poolman said, "Skjerven's actions are deplorable. He took the trust that was given to him and has misused it in a way that has had disastrous effects on the lives of his clients."

Poolman's investigation revealed that Skjerven borrowed money from previous or current insurance clients and has failed to repay the money. State law prohibits a licensed insurance agent from soliciting or accepting a loan from any person with whom the agent has had an insurance relationship within the last ten years. It is alleged that Skjerven borrowed more than $2 million from clients.

"It seems the number of customers Skjerven defrauded seems to be growing on a daily basis. This clear breach of public trust is truly shameful," Poolman said.

The Department's investigation against Skjerven will continue. And Poolman stated, "I will do whatever I can to hold Skjerven accountable both criminally and civilly for this blatant abuse of his customers."

Skjerven has a right to an administrative hearing, but has waived that right and has instead agreed to the revocation of his North Dakota insurance license. In an earlier action, Poolman issued a Cease and Desist order that barred Skjerven from engaging in the business of insurance and started proceedings to revoke Skjerven's license.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Matt Mechtel Talks About the War on Terror and Protecting the American People


Matt Mechtel, Republican candidate for Congress, said that the United States must win the War on Terror and must not “cut and run”.

In news conferences held in Fargo and Bismarck, Mr. Mechtel said that, as painful as the war is, the alternative is much worse.

“The future, as envisioned by our enemies, is one of slavery, death, and darkness.”

He called for Congress to declare that a state of war exists between the United States and the forces of Terror.

He said that we need to have a security fence along the entire southern border and we need to strengthen our northern border. Mr. Mechtel said that the Patriot Act, the NSA program, the financial monitoring program, and the ability to use whatever means necessary, short of outright torture, to interrogate our enemy prisoners, must be made permanent.

“We must not tie the hands of those who are fighting this war abroad and at home.”He declared that we are in a World War and we must fight it that way.“This is a fight for the future of our nation and the world. And it is a fight we must win. I am going to be a leader, not a follower, in this effort in Congress.”

Monday, October 02, 2006

Jaeger Receives More Praise!

In Case You Missed It ….. Secretary of State Al Jaeger’s Public Service Announcements Win Awards

Fargo Forum

Political Notebook
Janell Cole and Don Davis10/02/2006

Voting ads win

A television and radio ad campaign urging voters to bring identification along to their polling places has won two awards for best public service announcements from the North Dakota Broadcasters Association.

The “I’m Pat Schmidt” ads were produced for the North Dakota Association of Counties by Odney Advertising.

The ads will be broadcast again this fall and can also be seen or heard on the secretary of state’s Web site, www.nd.gov/sos/electvote.

If you would like to view the article, please visit http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=141553

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Sunday, October 01, 2006

KXMB TV - Hedger's residency questioned

Questions continue to surround the Hedger Campaign.

Hedger's residency questioned
Sep 27 2006 7:36PM
KXMB TV

This woman is running for Secretay of State, but some question if she should be able to.

Can Kristin Hedger run for statewide office as a North Dakota resident? That's an issue following the Democrat candidate for Secretary of State.

Click Here to read the rest of the news report: http://www.kxmb.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=49399

In Case You Missed It ….. Bismarck Tribune Editorial: Tax relief proposal workable

Bismarck Tribune Editorial: Tax relief proposal workable
Sunday, October 01, 2006

Gov. John Hoeven characterizes his property tax relief proposal as simple and basic. It is that. It’s also restrained and workable.

County tax officials would figure a residential property owner’s bill in the normal way and take 10 percent off the top. Owners of farm land and commercial property would get a 5 percent reduction.

The state would then reimburse the counties with the total amount that they have discounted. Decisions about spending and tax mill levies are local matters, and nothing in the governor’s proposal changes that.

The plan could be altered by the Legislature in the upcoming session, but it likely would be a mistake to make the formula more complicated.

It would be an effective approach to giving relief to property owners statewide, because they do pay too much in property tax.

It also would be a responsible way of spending down the $500 million surplus in the state treasury and anticipated revenues.

Taxpayers might delight in having an even deeper cut in their annual statement, but state support of K through 12 public education should have a valid claim on a good chunk of the surplus. Hoeven also would like a prudent amount of the surplus retained to cushion the state during fiscal bumps.

A competing idea has been floated to reduce the total amount of taxes North Dakotans pay by making a cut in the state’s share of the sales tax, or by cutting the sales tax by a smaller percentage and giving a bit of help on property tax.

That dog won’t hunt.

If you would like to view the article, please visit http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2006/10/01/news/opinion/editorials/doc451ed2b74c8d4767877534.txt
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