MINOT — For the first time ever we took the Plain Talk podcast on the road, to famed bar, restaurant, and political hangout Peacock Alley. We interviewed Senate Majority Leader David Hogue and House Minority Leader Zac Ista. We also interviewed a couple of former lawmakers, Jessica Bell and Erin Oban.

The theme of the night? The legislature is going to have to change.

Bell and Oban talked about how much the Legislature changed, both during their time and since. Things have become more performative and less productive.

Hogue and Ista talked about the struggles to get through more than a thousand proposed bills while still giving each of them the scrutiny and consideration they deserve.

All of this is happening as both North Dakota, and the nation, go through a sometimes baffling political realignment, and North Dakota, specifically, has a new term limits law for lawmakers looming.

What can North Dakota do to ensure that the Legislature can continue to serve our state well, without veering off into the morass of dysfunction that's reality in Washington D.C.?

We also talked about tough fights taking place in the current legislative session over sentencing, property taxes, and more.

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.

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