Plain Talk

We invited North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken on this episode of Plain Talk to discuss the problems at the state's Development Fund, which run the gamut from poor accounting and record-keeping to practically nonexistent policies concerning things like conflicts of interest.

What he brought us was the announcement of a new initiative, called ReadyND, and while it's not intended to address the Development Fund problems directly, it is aimed at addressing some of the issues that may have contributed to it. Namely, a state economic development process that is scattered across numerous boards, commissions, and state agencies.

"How many state agencies build roads? One, right?" he said. "I think if you were to ask how many state agencies do economic development, you probably come up with more than one. And that to me is what we're trying to fix."

"I mean, we do have a lot of programs and it's confusing for us as an agency," he continued, "but it's also really confusing for the public and companies that are looking for what kind of programs we have to offer."

Both Schilken and his boss, Gov. Kelly Armstrong, have talked about reforming the Commerce Department "down to the studs." As a part of that initiative, Schilken said he welcomed the audit, and that his agency actually worked with state Sen. Kent Weston on getting it done.

"Coming in as a new commissioner and kind of reiterating the governor's comments about down to the studs, we had to know what we were working with. And there was plenty of chatter out there about things that hey, we need to look into this," he said. "So, it was a good chance to find out where we're at to know where we're going. But that didn't stop the conversations from day one about how we revamp economic development and workforce development and things throughout the state."

But he said economic development is absolutely something North Dakota must keep doing.

"Economic development isn't like a light switch that you can just turn on and off. You have to stay consistent at it," he said.

"It's all fun until your school starts losing kids, until you don't have health care, until you lose your grocery store, and then the only thing you have left is a gas station that, if you're lucky, is open till noon, right?" he continued. "I mean, that's not a thriving rural economy. That's not a thriving economy."

Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss restoring public trust in state government, the controversies around using taxpayer funds for campaign ads, the debate over Measure 1, the upcoming Plain Talk debates, and we take listener feedback on the F5 Project investigation.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

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We invited North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken on this episode of Plain Talk to discuss the problems at the state's Development Fund, which run the gamut from poor accounting and record-keeping to practically nonexistent policies concerning things like conflicts of interest.

What he brought us was the announcement of a new initiative, called ReadyND, and while it's not intended to address the Development Fund problems directly, it is aimed at addressing some of the issues that may have contributed to it. Namely, a state economic development process that is scattered across numerous boards, commissions, and state agencies.

"How many state agencies build roads? One, right?" he said. "I think if you were to ask how many state agencies do economic development, you probably come up with more than one. And that to me is what we're trying to fix."

"I mean, we do have a lot of programs and it's confusing for us as an agency," he continued, "but it's also really confusing for the public and companies that are looking for what kind of programs we have to offer."

Both Schilken and his boss, Gov. Kelly Armstrong, have talked about reforming the Commerce Department "down to the studs." As a part of that initiative, Schilken said he welcomed the audit, and that his agency actually worked with state Sen. Kent Weston on getting it done.

"Coming in as a new commissioner and kind of reiterating the governor's comments about down to the studs, we had to know what we were working with. And there was plenty of chatter out there about things that hey, we need to look into this," he said. "So, it was a good chance to find out where we're at to know where we're going. But that didn't stop the conversations from day one about how we revamp economic development and workforce development and things throughout the state."

But he said economic development is absolutely something North Dakota must keep doing.

"Economic development isn't like a light switch that you can just turn on and off. You have to stay consistent at it," he said.

"It's all fun until your school starts losing kids, until you don't have health care, until you lose your grocery store, and then the only thing you have left is a gas station that, if you're lucky, is open till noon, right?" he continued. "I mean, that's not a thriving rural economy. That's not a thriving economy."

Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss restoring public trust in state government, the controversies around using taxpayer funds for campaign ads, the debate over Measure 1, the upcoming Plain Talk debates, and we take listener feedback on the F5 Project investigation.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

It's time for playoff baseball, and we had Gov. Kelly Armstrong, a notorious baseball addict on par with us hosts of the Plain Talk podcast, on this episode to make some predictions about the path to the World Series. But before we talked about that stuff, we asked Armstrong about a lawsuit announced by former lawmaker Brandon Prichard and Citizens Alliance accusing several legislative candidates who are backed by Armstrong, along with Secretary of State Michael Howe, of some hanky-panky concerning ballot petitions.

"I think it's complete garbage," Armstrong, who is not known for mincing words, said of the suit. "I think it is a group of people that can't win elections, so they don't want elections to determine who our elected representatives are."

The suit claims that amendments made by the candidates to insert missing information were illegal and disqualify those candidates from the ballot. Conveniently, those candidates are running in districts where populist Republicans are in control of the local district party that would choose their replacements.

"Elections determine who serves in North Dakota," Armstrong said, going on to allude to populist Republicans like Prichard wanting to close down primary elections so that only party insiders can choose the candidates on the ballot.

"The only benefit to this is Prichard's trying to move out of the smoke-filled back room into the courtroom," Armstrong continued. "If you can't win an election, you don't get to kick it back to a group of nine people to decide who represents you. It's anti-democratic. It's about gaining raw political power with a small group of people."

Armstrong also took questions about his support for Measure 1, which would implement a 60% vote threshold for future constitutional amendments. "I firmly believe it should be hard to change the Constitution," he said. "I think the Constitution should not be subject to the political whims of the day."

He argued that North Dakota's constitution is too susceptible to special interests who want to mandate spending in the state's most important legal document. "Constitutionally mandated spending is a very big political consultant game all over the country," Armstrong said, "and North Dakota is a cheap date in order to advertise."

When co-host Chad Oban brought up the fact that local school bonds already require 60% of the vote to pass, Armstrong said that's an argument for Measure 1, saying that it's currently easier to amend the state constitution than it is to pass a school bond. "It's harder to get school construction money passed than it is to change the North Dakota Constitution," he said. "I think that's misaligned priorities."

He added that he would sign legislation to lower the vote threshold for school bonds if lawmakers sent it to him.

Also on this episode, we discuss a nondisclosure agreement that was part of a settlement between Fargo-based Prairie St. John's hospital and the State of North Dakota. That agreement prohibited the state from announcing or releasing any information about the settlement. It's an interesting new facet of the debate over NDAs that has sprung up around data centers.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

It's time for playoff baseball, and we had Gov. Kelly Armstrong, a notorious baseball addict on par with us hosts of the Plain Talk podcast, on this episode to make some predictions about the path to the World Series. But before we talked about that stuff, we asked Armstrong about a lawsuit announced by former lawmaker Brandon Prichard and Citizens Alliance accusing several legislative candidates who are backed by Armstrong, along with Secretary of State Michael Howe, of some hanky-panky concerning ballot petitions.

"I think it's complete garbage," Armstrong, who is not known for mincing words, said of the suit. "I think it is a group of people that can't win elections, so they don't want elections to determine who our elected representatives are."

The suit claims that amendments made by the candidates to insert missing information were illegal and disqualify those candidates from the ballot. Conveniently, those candidates are running in districts where populist Republicans are in control of the local district party that would choose their replacements.

"Elections determine who serves in North Dakota," Armstrong said, going on to allude to populist Republicans like Prichard wanting to close down primary elections so that only party insiders can choose the candidates on the ballot.

"The only benefit to this is Prichard's trying to move out of the smoke-filled back room into the courtroom," Armstrong continued. "If you can't win an election, you don't get to kick it back to a group of nine people to decide who represents you. It's anti-democratic. It's about gaining raw political power with a small group of people."

Armstrong also took questions about his support for Measure 1, which would implement a 60% vote threshold for future constitutional amendments. "I firmly believe it should be hard to change the Constitution," he said. "I think the Constitution should not be subject to the political whims of the day."

He argued that North Dakota's constitution is too susceptible to special interests who want to mandate spending in the state's most important legal document. "Constitutionally mandated spending is a very big political consultant game all over the country," Armstrong said, "and North Dakota is a cheap date in order to advertise."

When co-host Chad Oban brought up the fact that local school bonds already require 60% of the vote to pass, Armstrong said that's an argument for Measure 1, saying that it's currently easier to amend the state constitution than it is to pass a school bond. "It's harder to get school construction money passed than it is to change the North Dakota Constitution," he said. "I think that's misaligned priorities."

He added that he would sign legislation to lower the vote threshold for school bonds if lawmakers sent it to him.

Also on this episode, we discuss a nondisclosure agreement that was part of a settlement between Fargo-based Prairie St. John's hospital and the State of North Dakota. That agreement prohibited the state from announcing or releasing any information about the settlement. It's an interesting new facet of the debate over NDAs that has sprung up around data centers.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Social Security is a government program that touches all of our lives. Every American who earns a wage or a salary pays into it, and come retirement age, or if we find ourselves disabled, it serves as a vital lifeline to help make ends meet.

But the program is facing headwinds. John Hishta, a senior vice president with AARP, said on this episode of Plain Talk that the program isn't going broke, but it does need serious reforms by 2032 if we don't want to see serious reductions in the benefits it pays out.

"It's important to understand that there is a deadline coming in 2032, which means that if Congress and the president don't take action, current beneficiaries will only receive 80% of their promised benefits or payments at that point in the game," he said.

"Say you get $2,000 a month from Social Security, and that is the majority of your income," he continued. "If Congress doesn't do anything, you're going to lose $400 a month right off the top by 2032."

Hishta said raising the cap on taxing earnings could push that deadline back by as much as 50 years. He also said that Congress could explore other things, such as subjecting investment income to the Social Security tax. One thing his organization doesn't want to see is a decision to raise the age at which Americans qualify for benefits.

"Right now full retirement is 67," Hishta said. "There are a lot of folks who can't wait until 70 years old to retire. They may be construction workers, electricians. Folks who work doing hard labor, and they need that money, and they have to retire for their own safety when they're 66 or 67 years old."

He also said that Social Security was never intended to be a primary retirement plan for Americans, yet millions are on a financial trajectory for that to be the case. "I don't know if you guys know this or not, but 40% to 45% of the people in this country have no access to an employer-based 401(k) program," Hishta said. "None. Zilch. Nada. So there needs to be a broader conversation as well about how do you create retirement programs above and beyond Social Security to help folks out."

Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I talk about how planning for retirement has changed in the gig economy, a Republican incumbent endorsing the Democratic candidate to replace her in South Dakota, and Sen. John Hoeven's cameo in the fiasco around Sen. Mitch McConnell.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

Social Security is a government program that touches all of our lives. Every American who earns a wage or a salary pays into it, and come retirement age, or if we find ourselves disabled, it serves as a vital lifeline to help make ends meet.

But the program is facing headwinds. John Hishta, a senior vice president with AARP, said on this episode of Plain Talk that the program isn't going broke, but it does need serious reforms by 2032 if we don't want to see serious reductions in the benefits it pays out.

"It's important to understand that there is a deadline coming in 2032, which means that if Congress and the president don't take action, current beneficiaries will only receive 80% of their promised benefits or payments at that point in the game," he said.

"Say you get $2,000 a month from Social Security, and that is the majority of your income," he continued. "If Congress doesn't do anything, you're going to lose $400 a month right off the top by 2032."

Hishta said raising the cap on taxing earnings could push that deadline back by as much as 50 years. He also said that Congress could explore other things, such as subjecting investment income to the Social Security tax. One thing his organization doesn't want to see is a decision to raise the age at which Americans qualify for benefits.

"Right now full retirement is 67," Hishta said. "There are a lot of folks who can't wait until 70 years old to retire. They may be construction workers, electricians. Folks who work doing hard labor, and they need that money, and they have to retire for their own safety when they're 66 or 67 years old."

He also said that Social Security was never intended to be a primary retirement plan for Americans, yet millions are on a financial trajectory for that to be the case. "I don't know if you guys know this or not, but 40% to 45% of the people in this country have no access to an employer-based 401(k) program," Hishta said. "None. Zilch. Nada. So there needs to be a broader conversation as well about how do you create retirement programs above and beyond Social Security to help folks out."

Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I talk about how planning for retirement has changed in the gig economy, a Republican incumbent endorsing the Democratic candidate to replace her in South Dakota, and Sen. John Hoeven's cameo in the fiasco around Sen. Mitch McConnell.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

This week lawmakers on the Legislature's Audit and Fiscal Review Committee heard remarkable testimony on a review of the North Dakota Development Fund. That fund was created in 1991 to provide capital, or "gap financing," to more risky projects in the state that can't get access to more traditional financing. An audit of the fund found woeful documentation for things like performance, investments, and conflicts of interest.

On this Plain Talk, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, who monitored the committee meeting as a member of Legislative Management, said he questions whether the fund ought to continue to exist. "I think the deliberation in the upcoming session is: is that still a worthy objective for the state to be pursuing, that sort of risky gap financing that, admittedly, North Dakota Development Fund is supposed to be pursuing?"

He said that the Legislature is ready to "wield the power of the purse" over the program "if there aren't some what we see as necessary changes."

Hogue also discussed Measure 1. That proposed constitutional measure, put on the November ballot by lawmakers, would require that future amendments get at least 60% of the vote. That debate may end up being the most expensive race in North Dakota of the 2026 campaign season. Gov. Kelly Armstrong is backing a "yes" vote on the measure. Opposing it is a D.C.-based group called the Fairness Project. Already roughly $1 million has been spent on television advertising for and against the measure, with weeks left to go in campaign season.

"Our constitution is the place where we house our core fundamental values like freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and those values should not be altered by a simple majority," Hogue said of the measure.

Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the upcoming Plain Talk Debates and our decision not to include independent candidates. We'll be recording debates in the U.S. House race on October 13, and they'll be released on the podcast, on YouTube, and on WDAY Xtra starting on October 14.

If you'd like to submit questions for the candidates for U.S. House, Agriculture Commissioner, Superintendent of Schools, and representatives of the campaigns for and against Measure 2 (the school meals measure), send them in at PlainTalkND.com.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

This week lawmakers on the Legislature's Audit and Fiscal Review Committee heard remarkable testimony on a review of the North Dakota Development Fund. That fund was created in 1991 to provide capital, or "gap financing," to more risky projects in the state that can't get access to more traditional financing. An audit of the fund found woeful documentation for things like performance, investments, and conflicts of interest.

On this Plain Talk, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, who monitored the committee meeting as a member of Legislative Management, said he questions whether the fund ought to continue to exist. "I think the deliberation in the upcoming session is: is that still a worthy objective for the state to be pursuing, that sort of risky gap financing that, admittedly, North Dakota Development Fund is supposed to be pursuing?"

He said that the Legislature is ready to "wield the power of the purse" over the program "if there aren't some what we see as necessary changes."

Hogue also discussed Measure 1. That proposed constitutional measure, put on the November ballot by lawmakers, would require that future amendments get at least 60% of the vote. That debate may end up being the most expensive race in North Dakota of the 2026 campaign season. Gov. Kelly Armstrong is backing a "yes" vote on the measure. Opposing it is a D.C.-based group called the Fairness Project. Already roughly $1 million has been spent on television advertising for and against the measure, with weeks left to go in campaign season.

"Our constitution is the place where we house our core fundamental values like freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and those values should not be altered by a simple majority," Hogue said of the measure.

Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the upcoming Plain Talk Debates and our decision not to include independent candidates. We'll be recording debates in the U.S. House race on October 13, and they'll be released on the podcast, on YouTube, and on WDAY Xtra starting on October 14.

If you'd like to submit questions for the candidates for U.S. House, Agriculture Commissioner, Superintendent of Schools, and representatives of the campaigns for and against Measure 2 (the school meals measure), send them in at PlainTalkND.com.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

In many ways, Tyler York's path to candidacy for the North Dakota House of Representatives in Grand Forks-area District 43 is a classic one.

"I was active with voting. I would keep up with local and national events, politics, but I wasn't really super engaged," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. But then he became aware of a big shortfall in the Grand Forks School District's budget. York, who is a musician and works at a music store, was worried about cuts to the arts programs. So he decided to get involved, and felt the best way, for him, is in Bismarck.

"After learning Zac wasn't running again, I guess I thought, 'If not me, who?'" he said, referring to District 43 incumbent Rep. Zac Ista, who isn't seeking re-election.

One of the biggest issues York is concerned with are property taxes, which he'd like to consider loosening the state's 3% cap on local governments, and childcare. The state is grappling with a funding shortfall in a childcare assistance program that has resulted in a big waitlist for services. York said that more needs to be done to help families, but also recognized that a government program is a stopgap.

"You can't just solve problems by continually throwing money at it," he said. "That's treating the symptom, not the root cause."

He also discussed his approach to getting things done as a Democrat in a deeply Republican state. "I think as long as you create the rapport, get to know the people who you are serving with, let them know that 'Hey, I know you're here for the right reasons, we just disagree on some of the implementations or some of the policies,'" he said. "And I think if you can form those relationships, people become a little more like, 'Hey, I can work with Tyler.'"

Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the debate over Measure 1. It's a constitutional amendment to require that future amendments placed on the ballot get at least 60% of the vote to become law. Gov. Kelly Armstrong has deployed some political resources to push for passing the measure, while a D.C.-based group is putting big money into opposing it.

That competition could come out of nowhere to become the most expensive race in the state this cycle.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive

In many ways, Tyler York's path to candidacy for the North Dakota House of Representatives in Grand Forks-area District 43 is a classic one.

"I was active with voting. I would keep up with local and national events, politics, but I wasn't really super engaged," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. But then he became aware of a big shortfall in the Grand Forks School District's budget. York, who is a musician and works at a music store, was worried about cuts to the arts programs. So he decided to get involved, and felt the best way, for him, is in Bismarck.

"After learning Zac wasn't running again, I guess I thought, 'If not me, who?'" he said, referring to District 43 incumbent Rep. Zac Ista, who isn't seeking re-election.

One of the biggest issues York is concerned with are property taxes, which he'd like to consider loosening the state's 3% cap on local governments, and childcare. The state is grappling with a funding shortfall in a childcare assistance program that has resulted in a big waitlist for services. York said that more needs to be done to help families, but also recognized that a government program is a stopgap.

"You can't just solve problems by continually throwing money at it," he said. "That's treating the symptom, not the root cause."

He also discussed his approach to getting things done as a Democrat in a deeply Republican state. "I think as long as you create the rapport, get to know the people who you are serving with, let them know that 'Hey, I know you're here for the right reasons, we just disagree on some of the implementations or some of the policies,'" he said. "And I think if you can form those relationships, people become a little more like, 'Hey, I can work with Tyler.'"

Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the debate over Measure 1. It's a constitutional amendment to require that future amendments placed on the ballot get at least 60% of the vote to become law. Gov. Kelly Armstrong has deployed some political resources to push for passing the measure, while a D.C.-based group is putting big money into opposing it.

That competition could come out of nowhere to become the most expensive race in the state this cycle.

If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive