Plain Talk

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...

On this episode of Plain Talk, Troy Coons from the Northwest Landowners Association talks about why his group opposes legislation regarding pore space. Don't worry, he also explains what pore space is. Also, some thoughts on the Legislature rejecting an expanded State Board of Higher Education. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show 04/01/2019, talking about occupational licensing for hair braiders and the Legislature possibly overriding Governor Doug Burgum's veto of a hike to drivers license fees.

On this episode of Plain Talk, a hair braider who tried to start a business in Fargo ended up having to move her business to Minnesota because North Dakota's regulations are too strenuous. Also, Senator Jessica Unruh (R-Beulah) talks about a complicated bill concerning pore space and energy development which some are saying is an affront to property rights. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to...

On this episode of Plain Talk, state Representative Kim Koppelman (R-West Fargo) backed an amendment which would treat marital rape differently for the purposes of parental rights than just plain old rape. Then he lied about offering the amendment. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

On this episode of Plain Talk, Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions about the filibuster, the USMCA trade agreement, the Green New Deal, and funding for the Special Olympics. Also, John Swanson from Enbridge gives an update on their much-delayed Line 3 pipeline project in Minnesota. He says their company is prepared if Dakota Access-style protests happen. This episode brought to you by En...

By the strictures of identity politics actor and accused hate crime hoaxer Jussie Smollett is, by dint of his demographic attributes, automatically a victim. Except, judging by what he seems to have gotten away with in Chicago, it sure seems like he has a lot of privilege. Also, state Senator Janne Myrdal talks about her legislation aimed at stopping criminal political acts against infrastructure...

Reed Hundt, a former head of the FCC who is now heading up an organization called Make Every Vote Count, calls for an end to the Electoral College. But is that what would be best for North Dakota? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show 03/25/2019, talking about the recently released Mueller report.

The Mueller report is out, kind of, and so far the reactions to it are predictable. Think what you want of the report, but the way the national news media went about covering it has damaged our Republic. Also Fargo businessman Don Schilling talks about North Dakota's workforce shortages and what the Legislature ought to be doing to address them. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Ener...

The North Dakota Legislature has opened the door to local governments assessing fines for things like traffic violations above state levels. That's fine, but unlike state fines, local fines flow to local government creating a financial incentive to police for profit. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong answers questions during his weekly segment. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Energ...

Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions on this episode of Plain Talk, including questions about the Electoral College and funding for the border wall possibly pulling money away from North Dakota military projects. Also, a bar painted a mural in Mandan, and then local government freaked out. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Rep. Corey Mock (R-Grand Forks) talks about the Legacy Fund, including his amendment to make spending its earnings harder, what we ought to do with the billions of dollars in the fund, and a little bit on initiated measure reform. Also, some thoughts on the Legislature ending North Dakota's Sunday close law. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Should the Christchurch shooting video be censored on the internet? Do we want the government and tech companies getting comfortable blocking controversial content? Also Vicki Granado from Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline, talks about the project's impact on taxes and the economy in North Dakota nearly three years later. This episode of Plain Talk is sponsore...

Audio from Rob's 03/18/19 appearance on the Jay Thomas Show, talking about the Legacy Fund and anti-discrimination legislation in Bismarck.

A New York Times Magazine columnist says it's ok for people to treat other people differently based on skin color...as long as they belong to a minority group. White can't get away with it. Or maybe we shouldn't treat anyone differently based on skin color? Also, North Dakota Lt. Governor Brent Sanford joins to talk about the executive branch's dispute with the Legislature over revenue forecasts....

Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions, and says the amount of anti-capitalist thinking in Washington D.C. is "very, very scary." Also, are lawmakers being honest with their revenue forecasts? Governor Burgum doesn't think so, and he's probably right. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .

Senator Kevin Cramer takes reader questions on this episode of Plain Talk, responding to one by suggesting that socialist media darling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might actually be a plant...by Republicans. Speaking of AOC, some of her comments chastising Wells Fargo for financing the Dakota Access Pipeline recently were downright Orwellian. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Energ...

Could the State of North Dakota be sued over a mistake in transferring oil tax revenues to state funds? Nich Archuleta of North Dakota United, an organization representing the state's public workers and teachers, says his group would like to avoid it but they're keep their options open. Also Senator Ray Holmberg, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, talks about revenue forecasts and finalizin...

Rob talks about socialism and the debate over the state's prisons during a segment on the Jay Thomas Show 03-11-19.

ND House Minority Leader Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) joins to talk about the 2019 legislative session so far, including his sense that this session has been less partisan than past sessions. Also, why has victimhood become political currency? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com .