Plain Talk With Rob Port

Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions about Social Security, the border wall, trade, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and wind energy. Also, North Dakota Democrats complain about there not being enough women appointed to chair interim committees, but at least two female lawmakers in the Democratic caucus turned down chair roles. This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mark Friese, a Fargo-based defense attorney with the Vogel Law Firm, talks about the struggles courts are having with defendants who can't afford drug testing mandated by the Legislature. Also, a new study suggests that liberalized marijuana laws does not reduce opioid overdoses. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofND.com.

State Senator Janne Myrdal, a Republican from the Grafton area, talks to Rob about her objections to North Dakota State University partnering with Planned Parenthood. Also, an official from the North Dakota Democratic Party says coal is dead. Is he right? This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On their weekly segment on WDAY AM970 Jay and Rob talk about the recent state audit concerning bus inspections, the controversy over removing the auditor's powers, and the North Dakota Democratic Party's opposition to coal power.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Senator Kevin Cramer takes questions from listeners and talks about impeachment, Robert Mueller's press conference, and what President Donald Trump asked him to investigate in terms of the bidding process for the border wall. Also, should your skin color or gender matter when it comes to questioning elected officials? This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Ron Ness from the North Dakota Petroleum Council talks about how to address flaring in North Dakota. Also, there's a line at the top of Mt. Everest to get to the summit, and that tells us a lot about our society today. This episode is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Is there a better way to get drunk drivers off the road? What laws are the subject of referendum campaigns this election cycle? Should cops wear uniforms when going about political advocacy? All this and more on this segment on the Jay Thomas Show.

President Trump's preference for using North Dakota company Fisher Industries on the border wall has created national headlines, with some suggesting there were some untoward quid-pro-quo politics involved. "I don't apologize for advocating for them," Senator Kevin Cramer said when asked about the situation. Also, one city has seen DUI arrests plummet, and the local police chief thinks the reason may be ride sharing services. This episode was sponsored by AFP of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Rob responds to a union boss upset over his criticism of cops using their uniforms for politics. Also, David Owen from Legalize ND talks about what his group's new recreational ballot measure might look like and competition from a rival constitutional measure. This show brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota and EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Congressman Kelly Armstrong is on for his weekly segment, and says Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is just trying to keep Donald Trump from winning. Also, a loophole will let lobbyists sit on an ethics commission created by an anti-lobbyist initiated measure campaign. Sponsors for this episode: http://afpnd.org http://EnergyofNorthDakota.com

Is it appropriate for cops to use their uniforms to influence politics? Also a Mandan bar owner talks about his legal fight with city government over a mural he painted on the side of his building. Turns out that business owners can't just do art without the government's permission. This episode's sponsors: http://afpnd.org http://EnergyofNorthDakota.com

State Rep. Marvin Nelson, a Democrat from Rolla, is asking a judge to award himself and his fellow plaintiffs $150,000 each for suing the State of North Dakota to deny mineral rights owners retroactive royalty payments. His attorneys also want $62 million in attorneys fees. Also, Dawson Schefter from the NDGOP responds to criticism that the Republican majority might not be responsive enough to the public. This episode bought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com and AFPND.org.

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show, talking about the problems with social media, the search for a new UND president, and higher education debt.

Democratic state Rep. Matt Eidson talks about how he's going to pull off being a straight news reporter and a partisan elected official. Also, U.S. Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions, including his questioning in committee hearings about the subpoena of Attorney General William Barr and the on-going trade war with China. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Have we made a mistake tying our national economy so closely to China's? Also, state Auditor Josh Gallion talks about a meeting he had with Legislative leaders. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Riley Kuntz talks about his volunteer effort to refer legislation limiting the authority of the state Auditor. Also, why does anyone think raising the tobacco age to 21 will solve anything?

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show talking about student loans, raising the smoking age to 21, the on-going controversies with the state auditor's office, and other topics.

On this episode of Plain Talk, a credit card company CEO pushes back against the idea that the financial sector should be pressured into regulating political and social activity. 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, a state lawmaker has finally confessed the true motivation behind gutting the authority of North Dakota's Auditor. Also, Senator Kevin Cramer answers listener questions. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk Dave Diebel, a producer who lives in Bismarck who is also a board member for the North Dakota Film and Media Association, talks about what he says is a need for production incentives in the state. Something to entice more commercials, TV shows, and movies to be filmed here. Also, how is it the signature of a DOT director was still be used to certify records even when he was on leave? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.