Plain Talk

The ACLU of North Dakota, among other organizations, has called on Governor Doug Burgum to issue a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the coronavirus crisis.

Dane DeKrey, a spokesman for the ACLU, says it's about protecting renters but not making landlords the bad guys. "We have no interest in trying to screw landlords," DeKrey said on this episode of Plain Talk.

What the ACLU would like to see is an executive order which states that individuals can't be evicted, can't be foreclosed on, can't be charged late fees or interest for failure to pay, and can't see their credit rating downgraded.

DeKrey says he does still wand landlords to be paid what they're owed, just not right now.

"We're asking for a pause button," he added.

Why should landlords be forced into a situation where they're providing, at their expense, relief from coronavirus?

"That's a good question," DeKrey said, adding that it doesn't have an easy answer.

During their weekly segment, Rob and Jay discuss the push to stop evictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

During their weekly segment, Rob and Jay discuss the push to stop evictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

After helping to pass a massive relief bill for a nation afflicted by coronavirus, Congressman Kelly Armstrong says he'll have to quarantine for two weeks after returning to North Dakota from Washington D.C.

"The North Dakota Department of Health recommends that people coming in from out of state self-quarantine," Armstrong said on this episode of Plain Talk while describing the nation's capital as a "petrie dish" right now.

"I'm going to do my part to flatten the curve," he added. Armstrong says he's currently measuring his temperature twice a day, and will seek testing for the COVID-19 virus if he notices any symptoms.

As for the legislation, Armstrong says he expects the IRS will do "everything they can" to get Americans the authorized payments by April 6. He said he was worried about the cost of the bill, and whether all of the policy decisions it implements are sound, but described it as "essentially like eminent domain for our entire economy."

Why that comparison? He says the government has asked businesses to isolate themselves from their customers, and that's not unlike a taking. "We've had entire industries have their customer base cut off overnight," he said.

After helping to pass a massive relief bill for a nation afflicted by coronavirus, Congressman Kelly Armstrong says he'll have to quarantine for two weeks after returning to North Dakota from Washington D.C.

"The North Dakota Department of Health recommends that people coming in from out of state self-quarantine," Armstrong said on this episode of Plain Talk while describing the nation's capital as a "petrie dish" right now.

"I'm going to do my part to flatten the curve," he added. Armstrong says he's currently measuring his temperature twice a day, and will seek testing for the COVID-19 virus if he notices any symptoms.

As for the legislation, Armstrong says he expects the IRS will do "everything they can" to get Americans the authorized payments by April 6. He said he was worried about the cost of the bill, and whether all of the policy decisions it implements are sound, but described it as "essentially like eminent domain for our entire economy."

Why that comparison? He says the government has asked businesses to isolate themselves from their customers, and that's not unlike a taking. "We've had entire industries have their customer base cut off overnight," he said.

The coronavirus crisis has prompted policy makers in North Dakota, and across the nation, to look at reducing jail and prison populations by letting some low-risk offenders, and some folks in jail pre-trial because they can't make bond, out into the general population.

Is that the right move?

On this episode of Plain Talk Dane DeKrey from the North Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and Adam Martin from the F5 Project, discuss the issue.

The coronavirus crisis has prompted policy makers in North Dakota, and across the nation, to look at reducing jail and prison populations by letting some low-risk offenders, and some folks in jail pre-trial because they can't make bond, out into the general population.

Is that the right move?

On this episode of Plain Talk Dane DeKrey from the North Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and Adam Martin from the F5 Project, discuss the issue.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Zach Raknerud pointed out that many North Dakota Democrats are afraid to do interviews with me.

"I don't think that's right," he said.

Raknerud, who is the candidate North Dakota Democrats endorsed to challenge Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong this cycle, made that point while arguing that he intends to offer North Dakotans a very distinct alternative to the incumbent.

A candidate who doesn't sound like past candidates.

Raknerud was critical of congressional Democrats for trying to insert issues like the minimum wage into coronavirus relief legislation. "We need to get relief to the American people now," he said, though he said Republicans, for their part, are a bit too focused on corporate bailouts.

During the interview, Raknerud also called for a universal basic income, a federal program paying for college tuition, and an expanded Social Security program that would provide things like maternity and sick leave.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Zach Raknerud pointed out that many North Dakota Democrats are afraid to do interviews with me.

"I don't think that's right," he said.

Raknerud, who is the candidate North Dakota Democrats endorsed to challenge Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong this cycle, made that point while arguing that he intends to offer North Dakotans a very distinct alternative to the incumbent.

A candidate who doesn't sound like past candidates.

Raknerud was critical of congressional Democrats for trying to insert issues like the minimum wage into coronavirus relief legislation. "We need to get relief to the American people now," he said, though he said Republicans, for their part, are a bit too focused on corporate bailouts.

During the interview, Raknerud also called for a universal basic income, a federal program paying for college tuition, and an expanded Social Security program that would provide things like maternity and sick leave.

Rob and Jay talk about the on-going coronavirus pandemic.