by Forum Communications Co.
Plain Talk is a podcast hosted by Rob Port and Chad Oban focusing on political news and current events in North Dakota. Port is a columnist for the Forum News Service published in papers including the Fargo Forum, Grand Forks Herald, Jamestown Sun, and the Dickinson Press. Oban is a long-time political consultant.
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April 18, 2025
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Dane DeKrey is a criminal defense attorney with the Moorhead-based lawfirm Ringstrom Dekrey. He recently <a id="enhancement-7e0a5af0-1c73-11f0-ab43-072f17d836c8" class="rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.inforum.com/news/moorhead/moorhead-law-office-signs-amicus-brief-in-support-of-firms-facing-trump-retribution" data-cms-id="00000196-3f45-da76-a5be-3f55be3d0000" data-cms-href= "https://www.inforum.com/news/moorhead/moorhead-law-office-signs-amicus-brief-in-support-of-firms-facing-trump-retribution"> signed onto an amicus brief</a> in a legal fight over an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which exacts retribution on a law firm Trump feels has wronged him. It does so by, among other punitive measures, revoking the firm's security clearances and prohibiting its personnel from entering government buildings.</p> <p>In his order, Trump <a id= "enhancement-887aeea0-1c73-11f0-ab43-072f17d836c8" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.inforum.com/news/moorhead/moorhead-law-office-signs-amicus-brief-in-support-of-firms-facing-trump-retribution" data-cms-id="00000196-3f45-da76-a5be-3f55be3d0000" data-cms-href= "https://www.inforum.com/news/moorhead/moorhead-law-office-signs-amicus-brief-in-support-of-firms-facing-trump-retribution"> accused the law firm WilmerHale</a> of engaging "in obvious partisan representations to achieve political ends" and "the obstruction of efforts to prevent illegal aliens from committing horrific crimes and trafficking deadly drugs within our borders." But from another perspective, that's just engaging in the political process and representing criminal defendants.</p> <p>DeKrey says his support for the law firm isn't about politics. It's about principles. "I couldn't care less that this comes from Donald Trump," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. "I care that the rule of law is being questioned and as lawyers and as my law firm...we defend people who are not sympathetic the vast majority of the time. And if a person who is not sympathetic cannot call out for a lawyer and have someone answer, we are in a dangerous territory and I don't want to be there."</p> <p>Also on this episode, Sen. Kyle Davis, a Republican from Fargo, took a break from his work on the Appropriations Committee to talk to us about the progress toward funding a new state hospital in Jamestown, the challenges the state faces in delivering mental health services, and the debates over school choice policies and property taxes.</p> <p>He also commented on a last-minute amendment to the budget for the Office of Management and Budget to create a <a id= "enhancement-d3c2a150-1c73-11f0-ab43-072f17d836c8" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/04/18/north-dakota-lawmakers-look-to-add-1-million-to-state-budget-for-anti-abortion-campaign/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"life education committee"</a> that would promote alternatives to abortion. The committee, which would be appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, would have $1.5 million in funding and would be tasked with contracting with a third party entity to provide pro-life education services.</p> <p>"I've always pushed back on bills that get added in the last minute," Davison said of the amendment, adding that he has "a bit of frustration in regards to it not being a standalone bill."</p> <p>"Those standalone bills that make it all the way through have had a minimum of four hearings, two of them in appropriations and they're better pieces of legislation because of it when they pass through like that," he said. "Especially when you're setting something up new and it's a new appropriation."</p> <p>He also said that lawmakers are mindful of last year's state Supreme Court ruling, <a id= "enhancement-3315c9f0-1c76-11f0-ab43-072f17d836c8" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/port-north-dakota-supreme-court-opinion-sends-shockwaves-across-state-politics" data-cms-id="0000018a-dcc6-d1e5-a59f-dcdf019e0000" data-cms-href= "https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/port-north-dakota-supreme-court-opinion-sends-shockwaves-across-state-politics"> which struck down the OMB budget from the 2023 session</a> for not complying with the state constitution's single-subject mandate.</p> <p>"There is no question in my mind that we as a legislature are paying attention to that decision made by the Supreme Court in regards to the OMB budget," he said.</p> <p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">This episode is brought to you by the North Dakota Petroleum Foundation, providing education and outreach opportunities related to the petroleum industry, advancing quality of life initiatives, and promoting and enhancing the conservation heritage of North Dakota. Learn more at www.NDPetroleumFoundation.org.</p> <p>If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at <a id="enhancement-5c43c7f0-1c76-11f0-8d4a-f7febceeb419" class="rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "tel:7015873141" target="_blank" rel="noopener">701-587-3141.</a> It’s super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you’re from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.</p> <p><a id="enhancement-5c43c7f1-1c76-11f0-8d4a-f7febceeb419" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plain-talk/id1449473116">Apple Podcasts</a> | <a id= "enhancement-5c43c7f2-1c76-11f0-8d4a-f7febceeb419" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/5SCbIWlQMOPPUQuB379KN3">Spotify</a> | <a id="enhancement-5c43c7f3-1c76-11f0-8d4a-f7febceeb419" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.youtube.com/@PlainTalkND" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">YouTube</a> | <a id= "enhancement-5c43c7f4-1c76-11f0-8d4a-f7febceeb419" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://pca.st/xe8Q">Pocket Casts</a> | <a id= "enhancement-5c43c7f5-1c76-11f0-8d4a-f7febceeb419" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.inforum.com/podcasts/plain-talk">Episode Archive</a></p> <p> </p>
April 16, 2025
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">When former Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford accepted the job as interim chancellor of the North Dakota University System, he said a long time colleague contacted him to say he's "proven that you like dysfunction and you like to jump into that."</p> <p>Sanford said he laughed it off.</p> <p>"I hope it's not that I'm some kind of junkie for chaos for goodness sakes, but there's a lot in in in higher ed in general, especially with what's happening at the federal level," he said on this Plain Talk. "I mean, there's a lot of people that say, 'Why in the world would you want to go this direction?'"</p> <p>Speaking of chaos at the federal level, North Dakota State University recently announced that a foreign student who was here legally on a work and education program was detained for deportation by ICE. Sanford said that's going to be a significant challenge for a university system that has many staff, faculty, and students who aren't citizens.</p> <p>"Canadians are even nervous about this," he said. "I was just talking to a gentleman at breakfast that said down in Arizona the snowbirds that are Canadians are selling their house. They're not only offended but they're scared about this."</p> <p>"I hope we get this under control and return to an environment where we're respecting legal immigration," Sanford added. It should be noted that, after serving as Lt. Governor, Sanford headed up a recruitment program operated by North Dakota's oil industry that sought to recruit workers from Ukraine.</p> <p>Looking ahead, Sanford's initial focus as Chancellor will be on accountability, transparency, and conducting a "listening tour" across the state to understand the needs of stakeholders. He also said he was open to making his appointment as chancellor a permanent one. "I can say that pretty comfortably even though I haven't even started," he said.</p> <p>Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the latest twists and turns in the property tax debate, the likely fate of Sen. Keith Boehm's book ban bill should it be sent to Gov. Armstrong's desk, and Rep. Lori VanWinkle playing the victim card against criticism of her mid-session ski vacation.</p> <p>This episode is presented by Bakken Backers. Bakken Backers is a coalition of businesses, leaders, workers, and citizens who support energy production from the Bakken formation and its many benefits for North Dakota. Learn more at www.BackTheBakken.org.</p> <p>If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at <a id= "enhancement-bd947e20-1adf-11f0-a1e4-5f86e4f5028f" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "tel:7015873141" target="_blank" rel="noopener">701-587-3141.</a> It’s super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you’re from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.</p> <p><a id="enhancement-bd947e21-1adf-11f0-a1e4-5f86e4f5028f" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plain-talk/id1449473116">Apple Podcasts</a> | <a id= "enhancement-bd947e22-1adf-11f0-a1e4-5f86e4f5028f" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/5SCbIWlQMOPPUQuB379KN3">Spotify</a> | <a id="enhancement-bd947e23-1adf-11f0-a1e4-5f86e4f5028f" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.youtube.com/@PlainTalkND" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">YouTube</a> | <a id= "enhancement-bd947e24-1adf-11f0-a1e4-5f86e4f5028f" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://pca.st/xe8Q">Pocket Casts</a> | <a id= "enhancement-bd947e25-1adf-11f0-a1e4-5f86e4f5028f" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.inforum.com/podcasts/plain-talk">Episode Archive</a></p> <p> </p>
April 11, 2025
<p>"T<span class="ng-star-inserted" data-start-index="783">he way the current process is set up, it is</span> <span class= "bold ng-star-inserted" data-start-index="963">ready for exploitation and weaponization," Rebecca Binstock said on this episode of Plain Talk.</span></p> <p><span class="bold ng-star-inserted" data-start-index= "963">Binstock is the executive director of the North Dakota Ethics Commission, and she admits that there are problems with the status quo. For instance, public servants who have a complaint filed against them are prohibited, under threat of criminal penalty, from talking about it, even though the person who filed the complaint is free to say whatever they want. She also says that complaints take too long to process because they require the commission to host what can be a lengthy and often fruitless mediation between the complainant and the respondent.</span></p> <p>But rather than fix these issues, Binstock says lawmakers seem more interested in making the commission's job harder. Recently, a House committee that is considering the commission's budget cut funding for a new staffer-- currently the staff consists of just Binstock and two others--and imposed a 180 day time limit for a complaint.</p> <p>While Binstock said a deadline might make sense in some circumstances, in this context, it may make their jobs next to impossible.</p> <p>In response to the committee's actions, the Ethics Commission put out a statement saying the changes are "a roadblock intended to hamper the commission’s work.” That language--specifically the use of the word "hamper"--is interesting because the ethics amendment to the state constitution states, "Laws may be enacted to facilitate, safeguard, or expand, but not to hamper, restrict, or impair" the ethics commission.</p> <p>Does the commission consider the committee's actions a potential constitutional violation?</p> <p>"It certainly has been a discussion," Binstock said, when asked.</p> <p>"I think the commission statement kind of speaks for itself," she added.</p> <p>Also on this episode, Sen. Jeff Barta, a Republican from Grand Forks, responds to the defeat of a so-called "parental rights" bill, the passage of a new legislation governing genders in bathrooms, and his work to create a collaborative process between the U.S. military and state/local interests when it comes to the impact of development and industrialization about military installations in our state.</p> <p>This episode is brought to you by the North Dakota Petroleum Foundation, providing education and outreach opportunities related to the petroleum industry, advancing quality of life initiatives, and promoting and enhancing the conservation heritage of North Dakota. Learn more at www.NDPetroleumFoundation.org.</p> <p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at <a id= "enhancement-1d8d3f40-16f5-11f0-a533-1d4c826d38bc" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "tel:7015873141" target="_blank" rel="noopener">701-587-3141.</a> It’s super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you’re from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.</p> <p><a id="enhancement-1d8d3f41-16f5-11f0-a533-1d4c826d38bc" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plain-talk/id1449473116">Apple Podcasts</a> | <a id= "enhancement-1d8d3f42-16f5-11f0-a533-1d4c826d38bc" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/5SCbIWlQMOPPUQuB379KN3">Spotify</a> | <a id="enhancement-1d8d3f43-16f5-11f0-a533-1d4c826d38bc" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.youtube.com/@PlainTalkND" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">YouTube</a> | <a id= "enhancement-1d8d3f44-16f5-11f0-a533-1d4c826d38bc" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://pca.st/xe8Q">Pocket Casts</a> | <a id= "enhancement-1d8d3f45-16f5-11f0-a533-1d4c826d38bc" class= "rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href= "https://www.inforum.com/podcasts/plain-talk">Episode Archive</a></p>
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