"We are working on the how. We are not working on the when."

That's what North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer said on this episode of Plain Talk. She was speaking about her department's efforts to come up with a plan for re-opening North Dakota's economy.

Parts of it, anyway, Slowly.

Kommer praised Governor Doug Burgum's "extraordinary wisdom in not going to the shelter-in-place order" despite demands from some. She said that will allow North Dakota to be a bit ahead of other areas as we look to get back to business.

The Commerce Department is soliciting input from business and industry leaders on how they can safely re-open so that plans can be open when Burgum decides to back off the restrictions he implemented in response to the pandemic.

Kommer also addressed the conclusion of an investigation into alleged criminal wrong-doing in her department over the solicitation and implementation of a new state logo. State Auditor Josh Gallion's office had referred audit findings to law enforcement officials for investigation, but that resulted in no criminal findings.

Kommer says she objects to the way the report was handled, saying it was "paralyzing" for her office. She said the result brought "a certain amount of relief" but "also a lot of frustration and maybe a touch of anger."

Jay and Rob talk headlines on WDAY AM-970.

Jay and Rob talk headlines on WDAY AM-970.

A group of Republican lawmakers in North Dakota is urging Governor Doug Burgum to re-open the state's economy, rescinding or at least letting expire many of the executive orders he's put in place in response to the coronavirus.

"The governor, if he opens up, is not going to kill people," Rep. Dan Ruby, a Republican from Minot and leader of that effort, said on this episode of Plain Talk.

Ruby says the intent of the government was never to stop everyone from getting the virus. Eventually, everyone will be exposed, he told me.

"The government wanted to prevent a spike" in hospitalizations, Ruby said, noting that North Dakota has just 13 people current hospitalized from coronavirus. "Mission accomplished."

"I'm not saying everybody should be forced to immediately open," Ruby explained but said it's time to let many businesses open when they feel they can protect their employees and customers.

A group of Republican lawmakers in North Dakota is urging Governor Doug Burgum to re-open the state's economy, rescinding or at least letting expire many of the executive orders he's put in place in response to the coronavirus.

"The governor, if he opens up, is not going to kill people," Rep. Dan Ruby, a Republican from Minot and leader of that effort, said on this episode of Plain Talk.

Ruby says the intent of the government was never to stop everyone from getting the virus. Eventually, everyone will be exposed, he told me.

"The government wanted to prevent a spike" in hospitalizations, Ruby said, noting that North Dakota has just 13 people current hospitalized from coronavirus. "Mission accomplished."

"I'm not saying everybody should be forced to immediately open," Ruby explained but said it's time to let many businesses open when they feel they can protect their employees and customers.

Senator Kevin Cramer is very hopeful that an international oil cartel is going to work to help stabilize global oil markets.

He talked about that issue as well as America's on-going relationship with China and what more Congress might need to do in terms of coronavirus relief on this episode of Plain Talk.

Senator Kevin Cramer is very hopeful that an international oil cartel is going to work to help stabilize global oil markets.

He talked about that issue as well as America's on-going relationship with China and what more Congress might need to do in terms of coronavirus relief on this episode of Plain Talk.

Dr. Shelley Lenz is a veterinarian based in western North Dakota. She's also running unopposed for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL's gubernatorial nomination.

"I would have issued it, yes," she said when asked on this episode of Plain Talk about whether she would have issued a "shelter-in-place" order.

North Dakota is one of a few states which haven't seen such an order. Incumbent Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, has resisted calls to issue one. Lenz says she would have, and that overall if she had been in Burgum's place, should have more direct and authoratative orders earlier.

Though despite that criticism, Lenz says she's rooting for Burgum, and admits she voted for him in 2016.

"All of us want him to do a good job," she said. "None of us want him to fail."

Former lawmaker and current farmer Ben Vig, who was recently announced as Lenz's running mate, also joined the interview. He talked about the Legislature's role in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, the challenges North Dakota agriculture is facing, and how Democrats can win back support in rural America.

Dr. Shelley Lenz is a veterinarian based in western North Dakota. She's also running unopposed for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL's gubernatorial nomination.

"I would have issued it, yes," she said when asked on this episode of Plain Talk about whether she would have issued a "shelter-in-place" order.

North Dakota is one of a few states which haven't seen such an order. Incumbent Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, has resisted calls to issue one. Lenz says she would have, and that overall if she had been in Burgum's place, should have more direct and authoratative orders earlier.

Though despite that criticism, Lenz says she's rooting for Burgum, and admits she voted for him in 2016.

"All of us want him to do a good job," she said. "None of us want him to fail."

Former lawmaker and current farmer Ben Vig, who was recently announced as Lenz's running mate, also joined the interview. He talked about the Legislature's role in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, the challenges North Dakota agriculture is facing, and how Democrats can win back support in rural America.

Rob Port and Jay Thomas talk about whether North Dakota should order a shelter in place during the coronavirus pandemic.