Measure 2 is a constitutional amendment, put on the November ballot by the Legislature, which would change the initiated measure process for constitutional measures.

Activists would still collect and file signatures the same way, but if a measure amending the constitution is passed by voters, it wouldn't immediately be enacted. It would first go to the Legislature for an up-or-down vote.

If the Legislature approves, then the measure is enacted. If the Legislature votes it down, the measure automatically goes on the next general election ballot for another vote of the people. If approved again, then it is enacted.

Oh, and Measure 2 would require that constitutional amendments only be placed on November general election ballots, as opposed to June primaries.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Measure 2 opponents Ellie Shockley and Dustin Gawrylow try to convince me that the changes are a bad idea.

They didn't succeed, but I think our conversation is illuminating, both of the issues around Measure 2 the initiated measure process in general.

Rob and Jay talk about Rep. Rick Becker wanting to be North Dakota's new state health officer, and the upcoming presidential debate.

Rob and Jay talk about Rep. Rick Becker wanting to be North Dakota's new state health officer, and the upcoming presidential debate.

Cramer talks Supreme Court and other topics during his regular appearance on the podcast.

Cramer talks Supreme Court and other topics during his regular appearance on the podcast.

"I have to own the miscue," Governor Doug Burgum said on this episode of Plain Talk.

He was referring to a quarantine order issued by his administration earlier this week which carried with it a misdemeanor criminal charge for anyone who violated it.

The order applied to people who came into close contact with someone positive for COVID-19.

Burgum said interim State Health Officer Dr. Paul Mariani noticed, upon taking his new position, that in the area of quarantines North Dakota wasn't in compliance with CDC guidelines. "He wanted to align those two things," Burgum said.

The result was the now-rescinded order, which included the misdemeanor charge because state law requires that to be the penalty for disobeying orders from the SHO.

"We know the government telling people what to do in North Dakota doesn't work," Burgum said, adding that his administration's goal is "compliance" and not punishing people.

"It didn't flag for me personally...that we were going to have the storm of reaction we did," Burgum said.

He said he'd like to work with the Legislature in the next session to give the SHO position some flexibility to issue orders without a criminal consequence for violating them.

"There wasn't a way for us to say that's an infraction instead of a misdemeanor," Burgum said, adding that he'd like to "get people to stop focusing on the penalty."

"I have to own the miscue," Governor Doug Burgum said on this episode of Plain Talk.

He was referring to a quarantine order issued by his administration earlier this week which carried with it a misdemeanor criminal charge for anyone who violated it.

The order applied to people who came into close contact with someone positive for COVID-19.

Burgum said interim State Health Officer Dr. Paul Mariani noticed, upon taking his new position, that in the area of quarantines North Dakota wasn't in compliance with CDC guidelines. "He wanted to align those two things," Burgum said.

The result was the now-rescinded order, which included the misdemeanor charge because state law requires that to be the penalty for disobeying orders from the SHO.

"We know the government telling people what to do in North Dakota doesn't work," Burgum said, adding that his administration's goal is "compliance" and not punishing people.

"It didn't flag for me personally...that we were going to have the storm of reaction we did," Burgum said.

He said he'd like to work with the Legislature in the next session to give the SHO position some flexibility to issue orders without a criminal consequence for violating them.

"There wasn't a way for us to say that's an infraction instead of a misdemeanor," Burgum said, adding that he'd like to "get people to stop focusing on the penalty."

Jodi Meisch and Will Thompson are two Democrats in North Dakota's 22nd legislative district. They are hoping to unseat to Republican incumbents, Rep. Brandy Pyle and Rep. Michael Howe.

On this episode of Plain Talk, they talk about the issues that are important to them, both big and small. We also delve into the complicated policy problems presented by property taxes and local control, as well as the difficulties inherent to campaigning as a Democrat in a state, and legislative district, that has come to view that political party suspiciously.

Jodi Meisch and Will Thompson are two Democrats in North Dakota's 22nd legislative district. They are hoping to unseat to Republican incumbents, Rep. Brandy Pyle and Rep. Michael Howe.

On this episode of Plain Talk, they talk about the issues that are important to them, both big and small. We also delve into the complicated policy problems presented by property taxes and local control, as well as the difficulties inherent to campaigning as a Democrat in a state, and legislative district, that has come to view that political party suspiciously.

Democratic-NPL gubernatorial candidate Shelley Lenz takes questions and talks about her campaign.

Also state Rep. Scott Louser (R-Minot) makes the pitch for Measure 2.