HPR’s Ballot Measure Primer

Our Opinion / Get off your duff Nov. 4 and cast your vote

Far too many of you reading this editorial will sit idly on your duffs come Election Day Nov. 4 and the consequences will be immense. With eight measures in the balance, we implore you to get informed and to cast your vote. Following are HPR’s recommendations for ballot measures. Next week we focus on the candidates.

VOTE “NO” CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE #1

This measure would create and enact a new section to Article I of the North Dakota Constitution stating, “The inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected.”

That the North Dakota Legislative Assembly so flagrantly challenges the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade is a bald faced affront to our elected officials’ sworn oath of office to uphold not only the state but the U.S. Constitution as well. This measure would infringe upon women and family rights for safe, private reproductive medical care like no other state in the union, and it would place the government smack dab in the middle of your personal decisions regarding living wills and end of life options. Vote “NO.”

VOTE “NO” CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE #2

This measure would create and enact a new section to the North Dakota Constitution stating, “The state and any county, township, city, or any other political subdivision of the state may not impose any mortgage taxes or any sales or transfer taxes on the mortgage or transfer of real property.”

This measure looks good on face value, but it has no substance. It corrects nothing. It assumes lots. There are no such taxes in place. Why the realtors have spent hundreds of thousands asking for a yes vote intrigues us. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Vote “NO.”

VOTE “NO” CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE #3

This measure would create a three-member commission of higher education with full executive responsibility for the management and operation of the North Dakota university system. It would repeal the Constitution relating to the current eight-member state board of higher education. Members of the new commission would be appointed by the Governor to four year terms from a list of nominees provided by a special committee, and would be subject to confirmation by the Senate…

GOP leadership has wanted to dismantle higher education for some time. While in theory the legislature ought to have an arms-length relationship with higher ed, that is not the case. We have both a dysfunctional legislature AND a dysfunctional Board of Higher Education. Any existing problems, however, will not be addressed by restructuring the board, itself, and politicizing it even more. If this measure passes and schools are at risk for achieving accreditation, which has been suggested, it would be a huge mistake. Also, when the pendulum swings and the NPL is in charge, we assure you the GOP would see the error in their ways. Vote “NO.”

VOTE “NO” CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE #4

This measure would require that initiated measures that are estimated to have a significant fiscal impact must be placed on the general election ballot. It would also prohibit the approval for circulation of any petition to initiate a constitutional amendment that would make a direct appropriation of public funds for a specific purpose or require the legislative assembly to appropriate funds for a specific purpose.

The Republican supermajority neither trusts the people nor the Dems. This measure would severely limit the ability of the people to advance measures that would also have a financial cost. Leaders serve the people; they don’t trample their inherent rights. Power to the people when given an option. Vote “NO.”

VOTE “YES” INITIATED CONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE #5

This measure would add a new section to Article X of the North Dakota Constitution creating the Clean Water, Wildlife, and Parks Trust (the “Trust”) and the Clean Water, Wildlife, and Parks Fund (the “Fund”) to be financed by five percent of the revenues from the State’s share of oil extraction taxes… The Fund would be governed by a Clean Water, Wildlife, and Parks Commission comprised of the governor, attorney general, and agriculture commissioner. A thirteen-member Citizen Accountability Board would be appointed for three-year terms to review grant applications and make recommendations to the Commission…

The Oil Boom presents North Dakotans with a mixed bag of good and bad, yet we are obligated to do the greatest good possible with the windfall of funds albeit most likely short term. Though we have reservations about placing such a line item into the constitution, we also do not have faith that the current leadership in Bismarck will satisfactorily take care of our environment, parks and public resources. Quality of life is important for all North Dakotans, and that includes wildlife, parks and natural resources. Vote “YES.”

VOTE “NO” INITIATED STATUTORY MEASURE #6

This measure would amend section 14-09-06.2 of the North Dakota Century Code to create a presumption that each parent is a fit parent and entitled to be awarded equal parental rights and responsibilities by a court unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary; the measure would also provide a definition of equal parenting time.

Though we’d like to believe every parent is fit and entitled to equal parental rights and responsibilities, we know better. We also know, however, there are flaws in the system now and inherent discrimination especially against some fathers, and that’s not right either. Our support leans in favor of the tenets of shared parenthood, yet we would prefer that the statutes affected be crafted by lawmakers in Bismarck rather than advocates for one side only. And we ask them to address the issue to encourage equal treatment to fathers and mothers who are indeed fit and willing to be responsible parents. Vote “NO.”

VOTE “NO” INITIATED STATUTORY MEASURE #7

This initiated measure would amend section 43-15-35 of the North Dakota Century Code. It would repeal the requirement that an applicant for a permit to operate a pharmacy must be a licensed pharmacist, a business entity controlled by licensed pharmacists, a hospital pharmacy, or a postgraduate medical residency program.

North Dakota’s rural small towns are experiencing a resurgence. Wherever there are existing small town pharmacies, it’s an asset to the people there. We fear that opening door for big box pharmacies would indeed diminish the viability of private, independent, pharmacist-owned services in our rural parts. Vote “NO.”

VOTE “NO” INITIATED STATUTORY MEASURE #8

This initiated measure would amend section 15.1-06-03 of the North Dakota Century Code to require school classes to begin after Labor Day.

If an urban school district wants to coordinate family calendars so those with kids in k-12 as well as in college can be somewhat on the same schedule, we say let them do that. If a rural school district in potato country wants to start school after potato harvest so the farmers have an available work force, we say let them do that, too. We would not recommend a one size fits all approach to local decisions such as a school calendar, not in a state as diverse and geographically spread out as North Dakota. Vote ‘NO.”