701 Civics

The North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe is charged with ensuring secure elections, registering lobbyists, business registrations, and also acts as the Commissioner of Combative Sports, among the many hats that he and his staff wear.

The office itself is one of the most consequential offices in the state, especially as it relates to elections. Secretary Howe discusses the role that the office of Secretary of State plays in the lives of North Dakotans.

N.D. Secretary of State Website: https://www.sos.nd.gov/

Information about Secretary of State Michael Howe: https://www.sos.nd.gov/about-office

Become a Poll Worker in North Dakota: https://www.sos.nd.gov/elections/voter/be-poll-worker

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Freshman legislator Sen. Sean Cleary sits down to discuss the role of a state senator in North Dakota. Senator Cleary represents District 35 in the North Dakota Senate, and is half-way through his first term.

On this episode, we discuss how bills are drafted and make their way through the legislative process. We also visit about keeping in touch with constituents, the role of lobbyists, and committee assignments.

Helpful Links:

North Dakota Legislature: https://ndlegis.gov/

Guide to Lawmaking in North https://ndlegis.gov/sites/default/files/documents/how%20a%20bill%20becomes%20law.pdf

Sen. Sean Cleary Legislative Page: https://ndlegis.gov/biography/sean-cleary

Did you know that the smallest office in state government also gets to handle all warrants or checks drawn against the state of North Dakota? Though the smallest office, it plays a significant role in state government, even if it doesn't really make any headlines.

We are joined on this episode by North Dakota State Treasurer Thomas Beadle as he explains the role of the treasurers office, and his role as a leader of the treasurer's office.

N.D. Treasurer's Office Website: https://www.treasurer.nd.gov/

Smart with My Money: https://smartwithmymoney.nd.gov/

Education is a topic that everyone has an opinion on - from how to pay for it to what is taught in schools.

On this episode, we visit with North Dakota state school superintendent and administrator of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler and dive into a variety of topics, including how state standards are developed, how students are prepared for for college, the workplace, or other avenues after high school, and how DPI has helped engage different parties to help increase graduation rates for all students across the state.

Check out the links below to learn more about DPI and the resources that they provide on their website.

Learn more about the N.D. Department of Public Instruction here: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/

So see how students are performing in specific areas and schools throughout the state, access that information on the following site: https://insights.nd.gov/

Investigate school funding in North Dakota at the following link: https://portal.nddpistarsreporting.nd.gov/public-home

In our continuing series on state government, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread explains the role of the insurance department for the consumer and the state.

Commissioner Godfread noted that the Insurance Department is one of the best kept secrets in the state, and he wants to change that so consumers are more aware of what the department can do for them.

We discuss how the rural nature of North Dakota can affect insurance, the role and services provided by the insurance department, and the role of the insurance commissioner.

North Dakota Insurance Department: https://www.insurance.nd.gov/

North Dakota Insurance Department Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NDInsuranceDepartment

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In this podcast, the current North Dakota State Auditor, Josh Gallion, took time to sit down and discuss the state auditor's office and its role in state government, as well as what it can - and cannot - do.

Listeners will learn about the size of the office, recent efforts to make reports more accessible to citizens of the state, types of audits, how long audits can take, and helping to provide transparency for citizens.

Find more at the North Dakota State Auditor's website:

https://www.nd.gov/auditor/

View educational information about the N.D. Auditor's office on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs9l-StZf2aRYgqEKmNpRmhl6ZnF4JrNn

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What do you know about civics in North Dakota? This introduction will give listeners a brief introduction to the upcoming episodes, in which we will visit with leaders of the state of North Dakota as they explain the 'what' and 'why' of the agencies that they lead.