Plain Talk

Senator Kevin Cramer says Congress is aiming to get stimulus checks, a response to the coronavirus crisis, into the bank accounts of Americans by April 6. That's what he said on this episode of Plain Talk. The legislation isn't finalized yet, but he expects each individual to get in the ballpark of $1,200 each. The cut off for the full amount would start at a $75,000 per-year income for individuals, or $150,000 per year for couples. Cramer says he doesn't like calling this move stimulus. He says it's more about "providing a floor for the economy" during a bad time, adding that he's "not a big fan of it" but will support the payments and other stimulus measures. Cramer also talked about a recent phone call he had with the ambassador for Saudi Arabia, calling on them to back down from a price war he says is intended to destroy American oil producers. Also discussed was the impact stimulus efforts will have on the national debt and the possibility of Congress going to remote voting.

During their weekly segment Rob and Jay Thomas from WDAY AM970 in Fargo talk about the coronavirus and its impact on the region.

"You need to do what's best for the state not what's best for the party." That's what Mark Haugen, Democratic candidate for North Dakota Treasurer, said on this episode of Plain Talk. He talks about some of the recent problems in the Treasurer's office, what he'd have done about them, what elements of his background commend him to hold this office, and how he'll convince voters in a deeply Republican state to trust a Democratic candidate. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Ron Ness of the North Dakota Petroleum Council talks about the problems the state's oil industry is facing amid a slowing economy, coronavirus fears, and a price war set off by Russia and Saudi Arabia. "The Bakken is one of the best oil resources in the world," Ness says, and it's "still going to produce oil." Still, things are hard right now. "This is a very challenging period," he said. The industry isn't asking for sympathy, but he knows some industry leaders in the state are already starting to make decisions regarding on-going investments in the state. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

As a guest on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in Fargo, Rob talks about coronavirus media coverage.

On this episode of Plain Talk, North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong talks about the coronavirus situation, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's controversial comments about the Supreme Court, the Trump administration's deal with the Taliban, and his 2020 fundraising. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

A week ago Superintendent Kirsten Baesler was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. On today's episode of Plain Talk she talks about how she came to be arrested, why she refused to take sobriety tests, what she's seeking in terms of treatment and counseling, and why North Dakota voters should give her another four years in office despite this incident. Baesler said she drank three "craft beers" while at a Bismarck restaurant with a colleague and was talking on her phone when the law enforcement officer stopped her. The officer told her she had crossed the fog line on the road multiple times. "In hindsight that's something I wish I hadn't refused," Baesler said when asked why she didn't take a breathalyzer or blood test (she says she did agree to a field sobriety test). She says she was "confused" about what the officer was asking her to do, and knows little about DUI laws. She denied that the alcohol she consumed contributed to this confusion. She said she has reached out to an organization for input on treatment, and has been told that outpatient therapy is what is needed. She says her desire for help is real and not politically motivated. "I would never use this for a public or political reason," Baesler told me, adding that she doesn't know if she's an alcoholic. Baesler does believe she'll have to work less while she seeks treatment. "I believe I'll be able to come to work Monday through Friday," she said, but added she may need to cut down on her weekly workload to 50 hours or less. Asked if she plans to continue drinking, Baesler said "it's not something that's a part of my life now." What would she tell students who are hearing about her arrest? She would tell them to take responsibility. "You don't shy away," Baesler said. "Don't let yourself get swallowed up in the shame of this." This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob makes his weekly appearance on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in Fargo. Rob and Jay talk about e-tab machines and the impact they're having on tribal casinos, a ballot measure to end property taxes, and the 2020 presidential race.

"I plan to raise in excess of $1.5 million for this." That's what state Rep. Rick Becker said on this episode of Plain Talk. He was describing a nascent campaign behind a new initiated measure to end North Dakota property taxes. The plan is to rely on donations from North Dakotans. Becker says he's asking supporters to cut a check for 20 percent of their property tax bill. The campaign has $100,000 in pledges so far. North Dakota voters have considered this before. In 2012 a constitutional amendment ending property taxes went down in flames, with over 76 percent of voters casting a ballot against it. "We had an opportunity in 2012 and we let it go by," Becker said, arguing that the previous iteration of this proposal didn't give lawmakers enough time to adjust to a tax environment in which they cannot rely on property taxes. Becker says that, among other problems, is why a "fear" campaign from opponents was successful. He said the 2012 campaign didn't have enough answers for curious voters. "When you're up against a campaign of fear you have to have answers." Becker's proposal, if passed, wouldn't be implemented until 2022, giving lawmakers time to meet and iron out any issues. Would this mean other taxes would have to go up? Becker says no, that the revenues could largely come from money the state is already spending. He notes that in 2012 an argument against ending property taxes is that it would put the state 100 percent in charge of school funding, forcing local officials to come begging to lawmakers in Bismarck for funding."When we voted on this in 2012 the state paid 50 percent of school funding," he said. Since then, "the state started paying for 80 percent of school funding." This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Much of the political and news media response to the coronavirus outbreak is "distasteful cheerleading for a health disaster." That's what Senator Kevin Cramer said on this episode of Plain Talk. Condemning a recent New York Times piece referring to coronavirus as "Trump's virus," Cramer said, "I don't there's any question some of the response is political." He does see a silver lining in the situation. "We're getting to see what the best health care system in the world looks like," he said. "So far there haven't been any deaths in the United States." Cramer also talked about the infighting among Democratic 2020 candidates and President Trump's recent visit to India. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.