Plain Talk With Rob Port

Discussing the story Rob broke about an employee at the University of North Dakota who will be working from Texas and getting up to $25,000 a year to commute.

State lawmakers say they don't trust the fiscal notes they're getting from the executive branch. The state House has passed a bill that could, using Legacy Fund earnings, eliminate the income tax. 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. On the border wall, he says he likes the proposed compromise, but he doesn't love it. Also a spokesman for a company which will be operating medical marijuana dispensaries in North Dakota talks about the difficulty in getting banking services. This episode of Plain Talk is sponsored by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk, an analysis of political contributions found not one reported contribution to a Republican from a member of the faculty or administration at NDSU. Is this a problem? Also, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has is dragging out the approval process for the Line 3 pipeline just as his predecessor Mark Dayton did. This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

We talk a lot about the power of the people. The wisdom of the masses. But what if the masses are a mob prone to censorship and vigilantism? Also, a dentist makes the case for allowing dental therapists in North Dakota, and state Rep. Craig Headland talks about his bill to use the Legacy Fund to eliminate the income tax. This episode of Plain Tallk brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show, broadcasting on WDAY AM970 in Fargo. Jay and Rob talk about legislation defining land as posted by default as well as the controversy surrounding the use of a meme by state Rep. Rick Becker.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has announced her 2020 presidential campaign, but with her party moving sharply to the left these days, does a self-styled centrist from fly-over country have a chance? Also former Governor Ed Schafer weighs in on the debate around North Dakota's Legacy Fund. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Energy of North Dakota. Learn more at EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

State Rep. Rick Becker (R-Bismarck) caused some controversy when he posted an internet meme showing what some say is a mean-spirited depiction of prison rape. He responds to the controversy, calling his critics "hyper sensitive."

Congressman Kelly Armstrong joined this episode of Plain Talk for what will be weekly segments taking your questions. Submit them via Facebook or Twitter, or email them to rob@sayanythingblog.com. Also, should billionaires be illegal? That's a popular opinion among left wing activists and politicians these days, but does it make sense?

This episode of Plain Talk features what will be a regular segment with Senator Kevin Cramer answering questions from both you and me. Email your questions in each week to rob@sayanythingblog.com and I'll ask them. This week Cramer talks about donating shutdown salaries - he says it's not very noble - his reaction to Trump's State of the Union address, and his meeting with AG nominee William Barr. Also, North Dakota lawmakers shoot down a hike to the fuel tax, but shouldn't we be willing to pay for good roads?

Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in Fargo/Moorhead talking about civil asset forfeiture legislation.

Big surprise, law enforcement turned out in force to oppose legislation to crack down on civil asset forfeiture. Why is it such a controversial idea to say the cops can't keep your stuff unless you're convicted of a crime? Also, Governor Doug Burgum has been passionately pitching an appropriation for the Teddy Roosevelt presidential library in Medora, but many are skeptical. He defends his position on this episode.

Legislation proposed in Bismarck would remove mandates for eight of North Dakota's 11 institutions of higher education from the state constitution. The Grand Forks Herald, in an editorial, argues this puts those universities at risk. But shouldn't universities exist because they're needed, and not because they're mandated by law? Also state Senator Nicole Poolman (R-Bismarck) talks about her bill to expand North Dakota's school anti-bullying policies to social media situations outside of school.

Is the biggest threat to free speech in America, in 2019, the government? Or us? Also Allan Dickerson, an attorney from the Foundation for the Freedom of Speech, talks about his group's opposition to implementing Measure 1.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Senator John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) talks about his role on a conference committee which is tasked with finding a compromise on border security to avoid another government shutdown. Also, Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) is under attack from supporters of Heidi Heitkamp (who he replaced in the Senate) because he is...co-sponsoring a piece of legislation she supports?

On this episode of Plain Talk, state Rep. Tom Beadle talks about his bill - one of two before the Legislature in Bismarck - to legalize sports betting in North Dakota. His would be restricted to professional sports. The other, introduced by Rep. Jason Dockter, would also include amateur sports like collegiate athletics and the Olympics. Also, two free speech groups have come out in opposition to implementing Measure 1. Should lawmakers do it?

Ag Week publisher Katie Pinke talks about North Dakota's corporate farming ban. A bill before the Legislature would widen the ban to let second cousins farm or ranch together, but should it really take an act of the Legislature for you to farm with your second cousin? Also, there is an effort to water down North Dakota's food freedom laws, and it seems to be coming from the grocery industry.

RNC National Spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany joins Rob to explain what the government shutdown did and did not accomplish, whether President Trump lost his leverage by re-opening the government, and the politics around the State of the Union address. Also Rob talks about North Dakota state agencies trying to kill bills they don't like with fiscal notes, and he reacts to Senator Heidi Heitkamp talking about why she lost the 2018 election.

Audio from Rob's weekly appearance on the Jay Thomas Show, airing on WDAY AM970 in Fargo.

If the "red flag" law proposed by state Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (D-Fargo) is used against your gun rights, who pays for your lawyer? Also if such a wide open process can be used to deem people dangerous, and remove their gun rights, do we scare people (like veterans, for instance) from getting treatment for maladies like depression? Or PTSD? Also Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, joins to talk about his group's report showing the oil industry has paid about half of all North Dakota taxes over the last five fiscal years. Do they really need to be taxed more?