N.D. 2006 elections glitch-free
By Lloyd Omdahl
The Forum - 05/29/2007
The 2006 mid-term election turned up scores of problems in the new voting systems implemented by states and counties under the federal “Help America Vote Act” passed in 2002 following the disastrous presidential election in Florida. Seventeen states reported major glitches in their new voting systems.
Florida is now in the process of dumping its touch-screen system for paper ballots. The Denver election commissioner resigned following a complete breakdown in many precincts. In Florida, Texas and Ohio, the voting machines were casting votes for the wrong candidates. In Texas, the centralized voter records system has so many flaws that registration officials in 200 counties want to get out of the process.
These frequent reports of election foul-ups have made citizens skeptical of the entire process, even in states that have experienced no difficulties. An undercurrent of alarm is spreading as another crucial presidential election approaches.
In response to the widespread failures, Congress is proposing new legislation requiring that electronic voting systems include printers able to create a paper trail for validating election results. Validation has become a major concern since some machines have malfunctioned and vendors have refused to provide officials with adequate reliability checks.
While the rest of the country is mired in an electoral morass, North Dakota has been scandal free in its implementation of the federal legislation, due largely to the insightful leadership of Secretary of State Al Jaeger.
If you would like to read the original story please visit: http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/167002
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
John Edwards War on Poverty - Edwards charges $55,000 to speak to UC Davis students about poverty
SF Gate.com Poltics Blog
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who as a Democratic presidential candidate recently proposed an educational policy that urged "every financial barrier" be removed for American kids who want to go to college, has been going to college himself -- as a high paid speaker, his financial records show.
The candidate charged a whopping $55,000 to speak at to a crowd of 1,787 the taxpayer-funded University of California at Davis on Jan. 9, 2006 last year, Joe Martin, the public relations officer for the campus' Mondavi Center confirmed Monday.
That amount -- which comes to about $31 a person in the audience -- included Edwards' travel and airfare, and was the highest speaking fee in the nine appearances he made before colleges and universities last year, according to his financial records.
Clicker Here to read the rest of the story ...
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who as a Democratic presidential candidate recently proposed an educational policy that urged "every financial barrier" be removed for American kids who want to go to college, has been going to college himself -- as a high paid speaker, his financial records show.
The candidate charged a whopping $55,000 to speak at to a crowd of 1,787 the taxpayer-funded University of California at Davis on Jan. 9, 2006 last year, Joe Martin, the public relations officer for the campus' Mondavi Center confirmed Monday.
That amount -- which comes to about $31 a person in the audience -- included Edwards' travel and airfare, and was the highest speaking fee in the nine appearances he made before colleges and universities last year, according to his financial records.
Clicker Here to read the rest of the story ...
Monday, May 21, 2007
John Edwards Puts Foot in Mouth Again
Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) On Service To Our Country
John Edwards: "One Of The Things We Ought To Be Thinking About Is Some Level Of Mandatory Service To Our Country, So That Everybody In America, Not Just The Poor Kids Who Get Sent To War, Are Serving This Country." (Philip Elliott, "Edwards Touts Plan To End War In Iraq," The Associated Press, 5/21/07)
John Edwards: "One Of The Things We Ought To Be Thinking About Is Some Level Of Mandatory Service To Our Country, So That Everybody In America, Not Just The Poor Kids Who Get Sent To War, Are Serving This Country." (Philip Elliott, "Edwards Touts Plan To End War In Iraq," The Associated Press, 5/21/07)
Conrad Lies about his Tax Increase!
I thought you might find this article about Senator Conrad lying about his budget calling for the largest tax increase in US History.
Senator sells tax hike as no tax hike at all
May 21, 2007
BY ROBERT NOVAK Sun-Times Columnist
In routine party-line votes last week, both houses of Congress completed action on a Democratic-crafted budget containing the biggest tax increase in U.S. history. That this was overlooked attests to the legerdemain of Sen. Kent Conrad of Bismarck, N.D., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
Conrad, a 59-year-old third- termer, is a monotone orator whose use of statistical charts betrays his dozen years as a North Dakota state tax collector. He seems so straight an arrow that it is hard to accuse him of the big lie. But that is precisely what he has done.
Conrad has repeatedly insisted his budget contains no higher taxes. But how, then, can it increase discretionary spending $200 billion over five years, while promising immense budget surpluses in the future? By raising taxes not only on upper-bracket-income earners, but also on dividends and capital gains, affecting many more Americans.
Conrad has been in denial. After I described his budget as an old-fashioned Democratic tax-and-spend formula March 28, Conrad wrote a letter to newspapers accusing me of "blind ideology and meaningless partisan rhetoric." His budget, he said, "neither assumes nor requires a tax increase." That is exactly what he has been saying for months on the Senate floor.
A typical exchange occurred May 9 when Republican Sen. John Thune displayed spend-and-tax charts. "Not true," responded Conrad. "There is no tax increase in the proposal before us." In the final debate last Thursday, Conrad again contradicted the assertions of higher taxes by his Republican counterpart on the Budget Committee, Sen. Judd Gregg.
Different in kind from normal congressional debate, this is based not on the merits of higher taxes but disagreement on the existence of any increase. The mystery is easily solved. Under the Democratic budget, the Bush administration's tax cuts are permitted to expire at the end of 2010. That means higher taxes if Congress does nothing.
Click Here to read more
Senator sells tax hike as no tax hike at all
May 21, 2007
BY ROBERT NOVAK Sun-Times Columnist
In routine party-line votes last week, both houses of Congress completed action on a Democratic-crafted budget containing the biggest tax increase in U.S. history. That this was overlooked attests to the legerdemain of Sen. Kent Conrad of Bismarck, N.D., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
Conrad, a 59-year-old third- termer, is a monotone orator whose use of statistical charts betrays his dozen years as a North Dakota state tax collector. He seems so straight an arrow that it is hard to accuse him of the big lie. But that is precisely what he has done.
Conrad has repeatedly insisted his budget contains no higher taxes. But how, then, can it increase discretionary spending $200 billion over five years, while promising immense budget surpluses in the future? By raising taxes not only on upper-bracket-income earners, but also on dividends and capital gains, affecting many more Americans.
Conrad has been in denial. After I described his budget as an old-fashioned Democratic tax-and-spend formula March 28, Conrad wrote a letter to newspapers accusing me of "blind ideology and meaningless partisan rhetoric." His budget, he said, "neither assumes nor requires a tax increase." That is exactly what he has been saying for months on the Senate floor.
A typical exchange occurred May 9 when Republican Sen. John Thune displayed spend-and-tax charts. "Not true," responded Conrad. "There is no tax increase in the proposal before us." In the final debate last Thursday, Conrad again contradicted the assertions of higher taxes by his Republican counterpart on the Budget Committee, Sen. Judd Gregg.
Different in kind from normal congressional debate, this is based not on the merits of higher taxes but disagreement on the existence of any increase. The mystery is easily solved. Under the Democratic budget, the Bush administration's tax cuts are permitted to expire at the end of 2010. That means higher taxes if Congress does nothing.
Click Here to read more
Friday, May 11, 2007
From the Grand Forks Herald - No deadline for this Devil Dog
I wanted to share this letter about the Iraq War from a member of our Armed Forces on the ground in Iraq. I hope you will take the time to read it.
IN THE MAIL No deadline for this Devil Dog
Grand Forks Herald
Published Friday, May 11, 2007
GRAND FORKS - Our youngest son, Joshua Johnson, serves on active duty in the Marine Corps. He currently is on his second deployment to Iraq. He recently e-mailed his sister the letter below on his views on an early troop pullout. With Joshua's permission, we forwarded his letter to the Herald
His brother, Justin Johnson, is a first lieutenant in the Army and also is serving in Iraq. The brothers share the same view on an early troop pullout.
Bud Johnson Claudia Johnson
FALLUJAH, Iraq - Have you heard about all the garbage on the news about the war deadline? As a Marine serving in Iraq, I don't think there is such a thing as a deadline date in this war, and our country's next president has to understand that.
We have done a lot, but in no way is Iraq a free and stable country on its own yet. Out in town, I have seen the Iraqi police and the Iraqi Army patrolling the streets, but they need our guidance and support until they themselves have the confidence to say, “Thanks for the help guys, but we have it under control now.”
To come home now would send the world a message of weakness. To take the blood, sweat and tears that our own military and government contractors have put into this country, and then all of a sudden leave while the mission isn't yet fully accomplished, would be the same as putting our tails between our legs and running scared.
As for me, I would be embarrassed to be in the military of a country that just gave up, because some “suit and tie” thinks that the job may be too hard.
The men and women of the American military are determined to accomplish the mission at hand and in no way will even consider giving up.
I think it is a bunch of garbage that some in America want a deadline date. We should stay as long as we have to, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission.
Joshua Johnson
Johnson is a sergeant in the U.S. Marines.
IN THE MAIL No deadline for this Devil Dog
Grand Forks Herald
Published Friday, May 11, 2007
GRAND FORKS - Our youngest son, Joshua Johnson, serves on active duty in the Marine Corps. He currently is on his second deployment to Iraq. He recently e-mailed his sister the letter below on his views on an early troop pullout. With Joshua's permission, we forwarded his letter to the Herald
His brother, Justin Johnson, is a first lieutenant in the Army and also is serving in Iraq. The brothers share the same view on an early troop pullout.
Bud Johnson Claudia Johnson
FALLUJAH, Iraq - Have you heard about all the garbage on the news about the war deadline? As a Marine serving in Iraq, I don't think there is such a thing as a deadline date in this war, and our country's next president has to understand that.
We have done a lot, but in no way is Iraq a free and stable country on its own yet. Out in town, I have seen the Iraqi police and the Iraqi Army patrolling the streets, but they need our guidance and support until they themselves have the confidence to say, “Thanks for the help guys, but we have it under control now.”
To come home now would send the world a message of weakness. To take the blood, sweat and tears that our own military and government contractors have put into this country, and then all of a sudden leave while the mission isn't yet fully accomplished, would be the same as putting our tails between our legs and running scared.
As for me, I would be embarrassed to be in the military of a country that just gave up, because some “suit and tie” thinks that the job may be too hard.
The men and women of the American military are determined to accomplish the mission at hand and in no way will even consider giving up.
I think it is a bunch of garbage that some in America want a deadline date. We should stay as long as we have to, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission.
Joshua Johnson
Johnson is a sergeant in the U.S. Marines.
Pomeroy's Pals At it Again
Fargo Forum Editorial: House war funding bill cynical ploy
Published Friday, May 11, 2007
The scheme by majority Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to fund the Department of Defense on a month-to-month schedule should be rejected by anyone with good sense. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said this week the House plan would hobble the military’s procurement and deployment efforts. He urged the House to rethink what certainly is another attempt by anti-war Democrats to get the United States out of Iraq no matter the consequences.
Put aside for the moment whether the Iraq war is right, wrong, necessary or foolhardy. Funding the military in a time of war is required if only to ensure that the troops continue to receive the materials they need to fight and to protect themselves. The House would nickel-and-dime the defense appropriations in a way that would affect military readiness. So when opponents of the war say they support the troops but oppose the president’s war policy, the effort to disrupt funding for the military suggests they are being disingenuous.
Click Here to read more
Published Friday, May 11, 2007
The scheme by majority Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to fund the Department of Defense on a month-to-month schedule should be rejected by anyone with good sense. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said this week the House plan would hobble the military’s procurement and deployment efforts. He urged the House to rethink what certainly is another attempt by anti-war Democrats to get the United States out of Iraq no matter the consequences.
Put aside for the moment whether the Iraq war is right, wrong, necessary or foolhardy. Funding the military in a time of war is required if only to ensure that the troops continue to receive the materials they need to fight and to protect themselves. The House would nickel-and-dime the defense appropriations in a way that would affect military readiness. So when opponents of the war say they support the troops but oppose the president’s war policy, the effort to disrupt funding for the military suggests they are being disingenuous.
Click Here to read more
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Poolman: Assistance Available for Medicare Beneficiaries in the 'Donut Hole"
Bismarck, ND – Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman today advised seniors who may be in the donut hole with their Part D plans, that many of them may be eligible for free or reduced-cost prescriptions available through other sources.
Poolman said, "At this time of year, many beneficiaries with Part D plans are in or are going into the ‘donut hole’. The ‘donut hole’ is the portion each beneficiary has to spend out of their pocket before they will be eligible for coverage again from their Part D plan."
Some Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs), which are sponsored by many pharmaceutical companies, offer assistance with free medications for those that are in the donut hole.
"Any Medicare beneficiary who has a Part D plan who is in the donut hole should call the Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) Program at 1.888.575.6611 to find out if free prescriptions are available to them," Poolman said.
# # #
Poolman said, "At this time of year, many beneficiaries with Part D plans are in or are going into the ‘donut hole’. The ‘donut hole’ is the portion each beneficiary has to spend out of their pocket before they will be eligible for coverage again from their Part D plan."
Some Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs), which are sponsored by many pharmaceutical companies, offer assistance with free medications for those that are in the donut hole.
"Any Medicare beneficiary who has a Part D plan who is in the donut hole should call the Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) Program at 1.888.575.6611 to find out if free prescriptions are available to them," Poolman said.
# # #
SCHMIDT ANNOUNCES RECORD TREASURY BALANCE
Bismarck, ND – State Treasurer Kelly Schmidt announced today that the State Treasury currently has invested a record balance of $745 million.
Schmidt said, "The current balance is a reflection of the strong economic growth that North Dakota is currently experiencing. My role as treasurer is to take advantage of our state's strong fiscal position and leverage the dollars to their greatest capacity through effective cash management."
Certificate of Deposits purchased recently totaled $142 million dollars and were invested with terms of 100 to 130 days. These investments will generate more than $1.6 million in interest income for the State of North Dakota’s Treasury.
Interest to the general fund is in excess of $27 million this biennium which represents a 550% increase in interest income over last biennium.
"This is good news for the citizens of North Dakota," Schmidt said. "By effectively investing our general fund dollars, we strengthen our overall financial position and ensure that the state has the resources to provide needed services to its citizens," Schmidt added.
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Schmidt said, "The current balance is a reflection of the strong economic growth that North Dakota is currently experiencing. My role as treasurer is to take advantage of our state's strong fiscal position and leverage the dollars to their greatest capacity through effective cash management."
Certificate of Deposits purchased recently totaled $142 million dollars and were invested with terms of 100 to 130 days. These investments will generate more than $1.6 million in interest income for the State of North Dakota’s Treasury.
Interest to the general fund is in excess of $27 million this biennium which represents a 550% increase in interest income over last biennium.
"This is good news for the citizens of North Dakota," Schmidt said. "By effectively investing our general fund dollars, we strengthen our overall financial position and ensure that the state has the resources to provide needed services to its citizens," Schmidt added.
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Tuesday, May 01, 2007
HOEVEN SIGNS $118.6 MILLION, BROAD-BASED TAX RELIEF PACKAGE
FARGO, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today was joined by legislators and local officials to sign Senate Bill 2032, a $118.6 million, broad-based tax relief package for the people of North Dakota.
“With our aggressive economic development efforts, we are growing and diversifying North Dakota’s economy,” Hoeven said. “A growing economy not only makes more opportunities available for our citizens, but also enables tax relief.”
“Back in September, we proposed a property tax relief plan to ease the burden of rising taxes for homeowners, farmers, ranchers and businesses,” Hoeven said. “Working with legislators, we passed a bill that provides a 10 percent income tax reduction against property taxes across the board. This measure, as well as additional financial assistance to counties for schools, State Aid Distribution, oil and gas revenues, social services and other expenses adds up to real tax relief for our citizens.”
The measure includes:
A 10 percent property tax credit against income taxes for homeowners, farmers, ranchers and commercial businesses.
Expanded Homestead Tax Credit relief for seniors and people with disabilities who own their own homes or rent.
Elimination of the marriage tax penalty for middle-income couples.
“We in the Tax Department are proud to have played a key role in initiating meaningful tax relief for the people of North Dakota, and now we are working to implement it,” said Tax Commissioner Cory Fong. “We will be laying the necessary groundwork over the months to come in order to inform the public of the benefits this plan provides to taxpayers.”
Property Tax Relief: Under the plan, married couples filing jointly, farmers, ranchers and businesses will be able to claim up to $1,000 of their property tax liabilities, and individual income tax payers will be able to deduct up to $500 on their state tax returns. Individuals who don’t have a state income tax liability can file for a voucher that they can apply to their local property taxes, or they can carry the credit forward for up to five years.
Tax Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities: The bill nearly doubles funding for the Homestead Tax Credit program to $8.1 million. The program provides property tax relief for low income seniors and people with disabilities who own homes or rent. Expanded eligibility means a total of 11,350 homeowners will now qualify for the credit, 8,000 more than in 2005; more than 1,700 additional renters will also qualify, for a total of more than 3,000.
Elimination of the Marriage Penalty: SB 2032 creates a targeted tax credit of up to $300 to eliminate or reduce the marriage penalty for married taxpayers filing jointly.
In addition to the $118.6 million of tax relief included in SB 2032, other legislation helps to reduce the tax burden for local communities, including a landmark $91 million school funding bill. In addition, the state is also providing a combined $24 million to counties by assuming the counties’ costs for child support enforcement; disbursing more State Aid Distribution dollars; increasing oil and gas production tax revenues; and providing other state aid.
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“With our aggressive economic development efforts, we are growing and diversifying North Dakota’s economy,” Hoeven said. “A growing economy not only makes more opportunities available for our citizens, but also enables tax relief.”
“Back in September, we proposed a property tax relief plan to ease the burden of rising taxes for homeowners, farmers, ranchers and businesses,” Hoeven said. “Working with legislators, we passed a bill that provides a 10 percent income tax reduction against property taxes across the board. This measure, as well as additional financial assistance to counties for schools, State Aid Distribution, oil and gas revenues, social services and other expenses adds up to real tax relief for our citizens.”
The measure includes:
A 10 percent property tax credit against income taxes for homeowners, farmers, ranchers and commercial businesses.
Expanded Homestead Tax Credit relief for seniors and people with disabilities who own their own homes or rent.
Elimination of the marriage tax penalty for middle-income couples.
“We in the Tax Department are proud to have played a key role in initiating meaningful tax relief for the people of North Dakota, and now we are working to implement it,” said Tax Commissioner Cory Fong. “We will be laying the necessary groundwork over the months to come in order to inform the public of the benefits this plan provides to taxpayers.”
Property Tax Relief: Under the plan, married couples filing jointly, farmers, ranchers and businesses will be able to claim up to $1,000 of their property tax liabilities, and individual income tax payers will be able to deduct up to $500 on their state tax returns. Individuals who don’t have a state income tax liability can file for a voucher that they can apply to their local property taxes, or they can carry the credit forward for up to five years.
Tax Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities: The bill nearly doubles funding for the Homestead Tax Credit program to $8.1 million. The program provides property tax relief for low income seniors and people with disabilities who own homes or rent. Expanded eligibility means a total of 11,350 homeowners will now qualify for the credit, 8,000 more than in 2005; more than 1,700 additional renters will also qualify, for a total of more than 3,000.
Elimination of the Marriage Penalty: SB 2032 creates a targeted tax credit of up to $300 to eliminate or reduce the marriage penalty for married taxpayers filing jointly.
In addition to the $118.6 million of tax relief included in SB 2032, other legislation helps to reduce the tax burden for local communities, including a landmark $91 million school funding bill. In addition, the state is also providing a combined $24 million to counties by assuming the counties’ costs for child support enforcement; disbursing more State Aid Distribution dollars; increasing oil and gas production tax revenues; and providing other state aid.
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