Plain Talk

On this episode Dustin Gawrylow talks about an initiated measure campaign he's chairing which would prohibit the Legislature from initiating a vote of the people on amending the portion of the constitution dealing with initiated measures. Yeah, it's a little confusing. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show, talking about the removal of power from the state auditor's office, student loan debt, and the romance novels of North Dakota's former director of the drivers license division.

We live in an era where the 1st amendment doesn't really apply to the venues in which most of our speech takes place. As more and more people push hard to ban controversial speech online, which should we fear more? Hate speech? Or the push to silence it? Also, state Auditor Josh Gallion responds to the Legislature putting limits on his office. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Energy...

On this episode of Plain Talk, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions and talks about the fight over the Mueller report in Congress. "They're not interested in the truth," he says of his Democratic colleagues. "They're interested in the fight." Also, Governor Doug Burgum declines to veto a bill gutting the powers of the state auditor. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakot...

Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions on this episode of Plain Talk, and also answers Rob's question about whether or not President Donald Trump's proposed Space Force could protect us from an asteroid. Also, why is a construction company in Dickinson printing campaign signs for the local school district? The answer reveals something which ought to be of statewide concern. This episode is...

On this episode of Plain Talk, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions about the REINS Act, the national debt, illegal immigration, and bipartisanship. Also, state lawmakers included language in the budget for the state Auditor's Office which essentially guts that office's powers. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

On this episode of Plain Talk, state Rep. Shannon Roers Jones talks about how her efforts to decriminalize marijuana got turned into legislation which actually increases penalties. Also, a recent debate over fixing a chemistry lab at North Dakota State University revealed some ugly priorities in higher education. This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

State Auditor Josh Gallion pushes back on suggestions from North Dakota State College of Science President John Richman that a recent audit contained information that wasn't true. Also, it's time for parking meters in North Dakota. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Jamie Kelly, editor of the Williston Herald, talks about the struggle some western school districts face when it comes to getting funding from the state. He says things are so bad some students are going to class in closets. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Bonus audio from Rob's segment on the Jay Thomas Show.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Congressman Kelly Armstrong talks about his immediate reactions to the Mueller report. He also takes listener questions about term limits and other topics. Also, we should always ask, what is the government protecting us from? In one recent case it was farming with our second cousins. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

On this episode of Plain Talk, state Senator David Hogue (R-Minot) says Democratic lawmakers are "posturing" over ethics legislation they say has too many loopholes. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Should politicians be able to regulate people who can't vote for them? Why can local governments in North Dakota extend their regulatory reach to people who can't vote in that local government's elections? Also incoming North Dakota U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley talks about the lengthy confirmation process he faced before taking that job, as well as his priorities for doing the job now that he has it...

Governor Doug Burgum checks in on this episode of Plain Talk to react to the Legislature overriding his veto of a bill authorizing an interim committee he says has too much power. Also a graduate student and columnist from the University of Colorado says there was a protest against current UND President Mark Kennedy, and there will be more when Kennedy visits the state next week. This episode of P...

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show discussing an audit report revealing inappropriate activity at the North Dakota State College of Science.

A subcommittee from the Democrat-controlled House is in North Dakota this week to talk about the state's voter ID law. The ranking member on the committee - Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois, the only Republican on the committee - talks about the politics of it. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

The Legislature wants to put some checks and balances into the process for amending the constitution by way of ballot measures. It's going to be a controversial topic in the next election cycle, I think, but it's the right thing to do. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes your questions about the national debt, the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, and other topics. This episode of Pla...

As he prepares to exit the University of North Dakota, embattled President Mark Kennedy takes a shot at his critics, suggesting controversy over a very cushy employment arrangement he gave his special assistant was born of racism and gender bigotry. Also, Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions about the space force, tax preparation reform, the national debt, and border security. This episod...

State Rep. Ruth Buffalo says right wing media shouldn't get to question her about her travel expenses. But shouldn't politicians have to face their critics? Also, state Senator Kristin Roers (R-Fargo) talks about her amendment bringing back the issue of decriminalizing marijuana after similar legislation was defeated earlier this session. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

State Rep. Ruth Buffalo won't answer a question about who paid for a trip she took to Tennessee to address a left wing group about, ironically enough, government transparency. Also, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread talks about a reinsurance program his department is taking public comment on. A state-level effort to fix some of the chaos Obamacare has created. This episode of Plain...

Rob talked about Stephen King and driver's education on this week's segment on the Jay Thomas Show.

An idea to use Legacy Funding earnings to reduce, and eventually eliminate, state income taxes is back in the Legislature. Some are opposed to it, but what could be more visionary and beneficial to North Dakotans across the state than reducing tax burdens? Also, we spend a lot of time talking about road safety in North Dakota, so why aren't we adequately funding driver's education in our schools?...

Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes audience questions, including one about demands from Democrats to release the full Mueller report, something he says is a "political stunt." Also, Democrats have embraced federalism on marijuana policy. Maybe they should embrace it in other policy areas too? This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Senator Kevin Cramer takes questions from listeners on closing the border, NATO funding, and the Mueller report. Also, should there be consequences for people who refuse to vaccinate? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

A Republican lawmaker from Minot who styles himself a proponent of religious liberty is objecting to an invocation delivered by a Hindu religious leader. You can't make this stuff up. Also state Rep. Luke Simons talks about his bill, which failed in the state Senate, which would have required that cops get a warrant (or at least have probable cause or the justification of an emergency) before comi...