Plain Talk With Rob Port

The public and media reaction to Gov. Kelly Armstrong's first address to the state Legislature has focused on his bold and aggressive plan for property taxes. That's understandable. There's a near-consensus in the state's political circles over property taxes being the most pressing issue facing this legislature. But Armstrong's state-of-the-state address telegraphed another hot issue that could put him at swords' points with another of North Dakota's top elected officials. During the 2023 session, Attorney General Drew Wrigley was combative with lawmakers who opposes his efforts to implement new mandatory minimum sentences in state law. Ahead of the 2025 session, he told reporter April Baumgarten that he will "lock horns" on the issue again. But during Armstrong's address, he made blunt reference to the fact that North Dakota's jails are full. On this episode of Plain Talk, I asked the governor if there's tension between his stance and Wrigley's. It seems there is. "I don't think we have the space" in the s