Big Numbers

December 15, 2021 Rick Holman As one who loves the political world and watches what is going on at the politics of local, state, national and world, and combined with my background as a math teacher, much of what I focus on has to do with numbers. A common phrase in the ND Legislature was that “everything is about numbers” which bothered those legislators who worked hard on policy, only to be overruled when the issue, often moved to second place when the costs got to the appropriations committee. Since I’ve been around a long time, I have a memory of when an 8-ounce bottle of coke cost a nickel. That’s also when Eisenhower gave us the Interstate Highway System. It’s about timing. Not all spending is at the wrong time. This year much of the news has focused on dollars coming from the Federal government to deal with the Covid 19 economic slowdown. In North Dakota, much of the news this fall dealt with a special session of the legislature to disburse over a billion dollars of remaining federal Pandemic funds before the end of the year. Numbers. How much is a million, or a billion? How big is that? You might remember that in school you may have learned that a million has six zeros, and a billion has nine zeros. Our brain can handle a thousand, but what about the bigger numbers. Every time you multiply by a thousand you add three zeros, that means a million is a thousand, thousands and a billion is a thousand million. Most of us can’t handle that so how can I put that into something I could understand? I have a good idea of how many days are in a year, so I’ll start there. A thousand days ago, it was March 21, 2019. Add another three zeros to go back a million days. That would take you to January 19, 716 BC. The first Christmas was still way into the future. Add another three zeros (a thousand million) and a billion years will take us back to a time when the earth was covered by water. No people, no dinosaurs, no vegetation. Dinosaurs went away 66 million years ago. Big numbers are confusing. That’s why I’m more interested in what legislative proposals will do, and how it will impact the world we live in. Last August, the President signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs bill that raises taxes on the very wealthy while sending infrastructure dollars to states. Breaking from the usual polarization of Congress, both ND Senators Hoeven and Kramer joined the majority and supported this bill, recognizing its importance to our state. According to the federal website here’s the North Dakota breakdown of additional federal funds over the next 5 years. • 1.7 billion for highways, and 225 million for bridges. (Could the Neilsville bridge become a reality?) • 109 million for public transportation. • 26 million to install more EV (electronic vehicle) chargers. • 100 million to improve broadband internet coverage for all ND citizens. • 35 million to mitigate climate change damages. • 355 million to improve water infrastructure so all citizens have clean, safe drinking water and • 94 million for airport upgrades. North Dakota receives about 3 dollars of federal benefits for every dollar sent to the federal treasury. From what I can see, this will continue. When I compared the share of the infrastructure spending granted to South Dakota and Minnesota considering population, North Dakota is being treated fairly. For example, road and bridge funding for MN is 4.8 billion, $850/person, SD, 2.1 billion ($2100/person) and ND 1.9 billion ($2500/person). Because of the last twenty years of oil development and how that has provided additional funds for our state budget, this latest surge of funding from the federal government goes on top of an already healthy state economy. Combining the increased state funding from this fall’s special session with the five-year federal plan is a good thing for ND. Big numbers. The nine zeros in a billion may be hard to understand, but if it can be transferred to the highway or bridge that you drive on, or the websites that help you run your business, it takes on real meaning. Don’t just look at the number but look at how that number when implemented can help you, your family, and your community. It’s cold this time of the year but North Dakota is still a great place to live. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Rick Holman

November 20, 2021, Rick Holman Every ten years, after the federal census, states must re-examine the population distribution and redo legislative districts to align with federal law that requires every person to have equitable representation. Over the past three months the Redistricting Committee has looked at the population changes in the last decade and proposed district lines for the next decade. North Dakota has become more urban and less rural. Fargo, Bismarck, and the Williston area (oil country) have seen a dramatic increase in population adding to the total population of our state meaning that our rural district must expand its geographic footprint. Last week’s special session of the legislature established districts that meet the new population threshold. Secondly, we’ve all heard stories about the rich uncle who passes money on to the next generation. It’s happening in North Dakota but this time the uncle is named Sam. To deal with disruptions caused by the Covid 19 Pandemic, the federal government’s American Rescue Plan provided funding to address workforce problems, health care problems, education issues and more. Some payments went directly to individuals, but much was also given to the states. Last spring the ND legislature left 1.2 billion dollars for later action and added that task to the special session agenda. For a state that has only 750,000 people a billion dollars is a lot of money. How will it be spent? A third area, because of some politicians, and news sources or social media politicizing, a lot of new laws were proposed. Some legislators say we need to act now, and others say we should wait, hence a long debate. On the first day of the special session 26 additional bills were introduced. Redistricting: District 20 (D20) and District 19 (D19) were combined because, due to the state’s population increase, each of the 47 legislative districts now needs about 16,500 people, 2000 more than ten years ago. The new District 20 will consist of Traill, most of rural Grand Forks and six townships from Walsh. The five Cass townships that were part of D20 have been moved to D22 and D45. The new District 20 currently has four House members, Beltz, Hagert, Paur and Trottier, and two Senate members, Fors and Lemm, and is required to have an election in 2022 to elect just one Senator and two Representatives. The new district map can be found at: map_for_consideration_092921.pdf (nd.gov) Federal rescue dollars: This action will be putting 1.2 billion dollars into about 40 projects which are intended to have a one-time impact meaning there is no guarantee that the funding will continue without further legislation. Here are some that stood out for me. We live in a state that relies on good roads at all times of the year so 135 million was added to existing transportation funding with some for counties and townships and some just for bridges. Enhanced internet service will receive forty-five million. The Human Services Department will receive an added 100 million to better serve people in need. One hundred million goes to the Water Commission and about 200 million will help with oil/energy development. In Higher Ed, UND, Bismarck and Minot will receive funding for building projects that were waiting for future funding. Mayville State requested funding for modernizing Old Main which did not make the list, but likely will move a little higher on the list of future projects. The entire funding list can be found at: special-session-budget-action.pdf (nd.gov) Many legislators proposed bills that dealt with divisive issues, such as banning or restricting vaccination and masking requirements for work and schools as well as banning the teaching of critical race theory in public schools. These debates took hours away from the main purpose of the special session creating headlines in the news while pushing the bigger issues of redistricting and funding to the side. Most of these extra issues were changed. Some failed, and some passed. Time will tell if these actions make a difference. Senator Oban from Bismarck stated that, “The regular legislative session is when policy changes should be made, that’s when the public is most engaged. Squeezing these bills through in an expedited fashion is not appropriate," One more note. North Dakotans who file income tax will receive a $350 ND income tax credit ($700 for joint returns) for 2021 and 2022 sending surplus dollars directly to ND citizens. Also, social security benefits will no longer be part of ND taxable income. Those are good things. If you see Uncle Sam, or a legislator, thanks are in order. Happy Thanksgiving. Rick Holman

Legislative Report #15

Legislative Report #15, April 23, 2019

Representative Rick Holman, ND District 20

The End is Near. The time remaining for the North Dakota Legislature can now be counted in hours. Conference committees are working well into the evening as legislators hurry to finish work in advance of the session's constitutionally mandated end. evening. Yesterday, I was on campus for 13 hours with meetings early and late. I started with 9 conference committees a week ago and now have just two left, DHS and Corrections, which still have a couple of complicated issues to work out. Hopefully, we'll be done by the weekend.

Department of Transportation: The DOT budget (HB1012) has passed out of conference. It restores 18 of the 42 positions reduced by the governor, added IT unification, includes $50 million for matching federal grants and includes the legislative intent to permanently reopen the Mayville maintenance shop, along with seasonal shops at Courtesy, Gackle, New England, and Finley. 

Unlicensed Teachers: House Bill 1531 will allow school administrators to ask the state's teacher licensing board to issue a "permit" for an unlicensed teacher if they're unable to find a qualified applicant. The person would be required to complete a background check. He or she would be required to have a high school diploma, at least 4,000 hours over five years of "relevant work experience in the subject area to be taught. They wouldn't be able to teach in elementary or special education, mathematics, science, language arts and social studies. I do not support putting less than qualified teachers in our children's classrooms.

Human Services Budget & Policy Pass: The House passed SB 2012, the Human Services budget bill which is now being reviewed by a Conference Committee on which I am serving. Besides funding Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion and other medical services, the bill includes many important policy changes that will help address our behavioral health crisis across the state. It provides for $1.5M in grants for behavioral health services in school districts. It also makes a good effort to provide more home- and community-based services to help people live independently instead of being treated in an institution. This is better for the both the patient and the taxpayer. The legislation also includes inflationary increases for the state’s nursing homes and DD providers, consisting of 2% the first year of the biennium and 2.5% in the second year. While this doesn’t go as far as what some of us had advocated there is also an allowed increase in operating for nursing homes which will increase funding from the state and federal sources. I don't expect a lot of changes from the Conference Committee. I hope we can have this one done by Thursday.

Teddy Roosevelt Library and Museum: The Senate passed legislation to create a $50 million endowment at the Department of Land Trusts with the interest used to support the operations of the Teddy Roosevelt Library and Museum. Under this plan, no state funds would be used for the construction of the project. The interest from the $50 Million would be accessed once $100 Million has been raised from non-state sources. The $50 million endowment would be funded with carryover funds from the current biennium combined with a$35 million borrowed from the Bank of ND.  I can support this plan as it's written now. If it changes, I'll have to take another look.

House and Senate Ethics Legislation: The legislature continues to deliberate two bills that fill in the details of Article XIV of the Constitution, the ethics measure that the states voters supported this past November. The Senate did improve HB 1521 from what the House originally passed, but many legislators, including myself, still have concerns about whether this meets the requirements of the Constitutional measure that the people of ND passed. HB 1521 has been assigned to a conference committee to discuss the different versions passed by the House and the Senate. The Senate passed this bill which does a decent job of implementing Article XIV. If the ending compromise does not fit what the people passed, I predict that it may be challenged.

Thanks for listening. Rick Holman.  My contact information is: email, rholman@nd.gov, Text or call, 701-238-1124, or rholman2 on Facebook. To follow the 66^th Legislative Assembly go to https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/66-2019/regular

Report #10 by Rep. Rick Holman, ND District 20.

March 18, 2019

As we move toward the last month of the 2019 session, issues that divide will began coming to the surface. One difference between the House, Senate, Dems, R's and the Governor that needs to be worked out is that of inflationary pay raises for state employees and funding increases for state supported agencies.

The Senate has proposed 3% the first year and 2% the second year. The House Republicans are proposing 2% and 2%, while the Democrat position in both Houses is for 3% and 3%.  As agency budgets are finalized in the next two weeks and head in to Conference Committees, these issues will be worked out. Shutting down the government for a disagreement is not an option in our state. Stay tuned.

Several providers provide support and/or care for people needing assistance. Whether for mentally or physically disabled, elderly, or in recovery, we have a moral responsibility to care for those less fortunate. Those providers who take care of people are asking for an inflationary raise of 3% and 3%. Agreement has not been reached. We have several nursing homes in our district and they need to be assured that they will be able to maintain a budget that pays the bills and enables them to hire a staff that stays around and is not looking for another better paying job.

Congratulations to the Thompson Tommies for winning the State Basketball championship and providing excitement for North Dakota's equivalent of the Final Four. Great student athletes, great coaching and a great outcome. Lots of connections. Coach Brandy George graduated from Mayville State. Players, including Overby and Hughes have family connections to the MPCG community.

It's sad to see the Mayville Shopko close last week, exactly three years, to the day, after opening. It is a casualty of our changing culture which relies on internet connections, home delivery, and good highways to expand the world of shopping. City leaders are working to find alternatives.

Something different this session which is also tied to the changes caused by internet access. In the legislature, we've had bills dealing with self-driving vehicles and internet money, something unheard of just a few years ago. Closer to home, the city of Hillsboro is supporting a grant to bring an autonomous bus to their city. How long will it be until our farmers are planting and harvesting without leaving their computer. We live in a rapidly changing world. How will we adapt?

One last note. The Senate and House passed legislation to fund needed local infrastructure projects. It now goes to the Governor for his signature. This Prairie Dog infrastructure bill (HB1066) uses oil tax dollars to provide a supplemental funding source for our cities, counties, and townships.

Legislative Report #11. Rep. Rick Holman, ND District 20

District 20 has a new Senator.

As I wrote last week, District 20 Senator Arne Osland, due to medical issues, resigned his Senate position. To quickly act and have a voting member in the Senate for the remaining days of the 2019 session, the District 20 Republican Party searched through a list of qualified candidates and appointed Randy Lemm, from the Hillsboro/Kelso area to complete the term which ends December of 2020. Randy is a farmer, and a lifelong resident of Traill County. He will bring experience and knowledge of our area as we work through the many important legislative issues that remain.

 

Colleges and the Constitution.

As I had hoped, the Senate defeated House Resolution 3016 that would have had the people of ND vote to remove most state institutions, including Mayville State University from the Constitution. Only three of the 44 Senators present supported this misguided and unnecessary legislation.

 

The House fails to support SB 2275.

The House Appropriations Committee took a dim view this week of a bonding bill that would establish low interest loan funds for major infrastructure projects. The committee voted 15-3 to recommend a Do NOT PASS on SB 2275, which has referred to as Prairie Dog III. This legislation would use $55 million of the earnings from the Legacy Fund to purchase bonds and provide up to $500 million in low interest loans for infrastructure projects. Previously, the Senate gave it an approval vote of 45-0 approval. This set up an interesting debate on the House floor which led t its defeat by just one vote. It may come back in some form as an addition another bill.

Resolution to Reinvest Earnings from Fund

A North Dakota Senate Finance and Taxation Committee Senate is considering a resolution that would ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would automatically reinvest all earnings from the state’s Legacy Fund. HCR 3055 would ask voters to approve a change requiring Legacy Fund earnings to be reinvested and only be spent with a two-thirds vote of the legislature. The current interest earning balance of the Legacy Fund is approaching $6 billion and growing. Bill sponsor, Rep. Corey Mock, told the committee that if all earnings are spent over the next 40 years, the fund balance would still grow to $34 billion. He said that if all earnings were reinvested , the Legacy Fund over that time the fund could grow to $143 billion.

State Income Taxes Here to Stay

 The Senate overwhelming rejected a bill that would have used earnings from the Legacy Fund to reduce the traditional state revenue source. HB 1530 would have created the Income Tax Rate Reduction Fund which would have consumed nearly half of the earnings from the Legacy Fund in each two-year budget cycle. The Senate killed the proposal on a 41-4 vote. The House had passed it 61-31.

 

Senate and House Repeal Sunday Morning Ban

In a close vote, the Senate voted 25-21 to repeal the state’s longstanding ban on Sunday morning shopping. Earlier in the session the bill had passed the House 56-35, and it now goes to Gov. Burgum who has indicated support. The law will take effect August 1. 

 

 

Medical Marijuana Progress.

Bills to improve the state’s medical marijuana program passed the ND Senate this past week, after passing the House earlier in the session. A conference committee will hash out the differences between chambers before the legislation is finalized.

HB 1283 changes the requirement that medical providers certify that a patient has a specific condition and medical cannabis will be beneficial so that the doctor must certify that a patient has a qualifying condition.

HB 1519 expands the list of conditions that qualify a patient to qualify for a medical cannabis card. The House had added 13 conditions including autism and anxiety.

HB 1364, which would allow edibles to receive medical cannabis is yet to be considered by the Senate.

 

Fifty-two of the allowed 80 days are done. Optimists have us finishing up on April 19^th, Good Friday. 

That's Good.

Rep. Rick Holman

Contact me at, rholman@nd.gov, Text or call, 701-238-1124,or rholman2 on Facebook or Messenger.

To follow the 66^th Legislative Assembly go to https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/66-2019/regular

031219 Report #9

Legislative Report #9, Rep. Rick Holman, ND District 20

On March 11 and 12, days 42 and 43, we heard an outside analysis from two agencies outlining the state of the ND economy for the next two years. Stability seems to be the norm. The reports we improved from two months ago, but the farm economy, with commodity prices staying low and exports in jeopardy will continue to struggle. Sales and oil tax income will be slightly higher. Unemployment will stay low, pushing wages higher, at least in the private sector. This gives us a framework that will impact what we determine for state employee pay raises, provider funding, general operations, and new buildings. Since the North Dakota Constitution does not allow deficit spending we can't spend what we don't or won't have. The State budget relies on sales tax, oil tax, and income tax for most of its support, so these predictions will guide the legislature as we finalize our spending for the 2019 -2021 biennium. As usual, the Senate, the House and the Governor, as well as the two Parties, may see things differently meaning there will be debate and compromise to reach a final product. That's a good thing. 

Seat Belts: One of the Bills last week was to upgrade the seat belt law to allow an officer to stop someone for not wearing one while driving. This bill had already passed the Senate but for some reason the debate in the House turned to one on personal freedom and not on driver safety. Often, we hear people say that every life matters but, on this issue, even though the statistics are clear on how seatbelts save lives some legislators still think it's OK to let someone have the choice. The current law states that a patrol officer needs another reason to stop a vehicle before dealing with the seat belt issue. The bill failed in the House. For me, it's also personal. I have seen what happens when someone not wearing a seatbelt is thrown from the vehicle and dies. I witnessed a roll over, the person thrown through the window, and run over. If belted in, she would be alive today. In most cases, those who are belted in may have sore muscles and some bruises from the airbag but will still be alive. I voted yes.

Equal Rights: Now on the way to the ND Senate, the ND House voted to pass House Concurrent Resolution 3037 by a vote of 67-21. This resolution argues that the North Dakota support for the Equal Rights Amendment ratified by lawmakers in 1975 expired nearly 4 decades ago, since the support process had a 7-year deadline. Rep. Gretchen Dobervich expressed her disappointment with its passage and the message that it sends to North Dakota women. She said, "This legislation is driven by fear".   I voted no because this legislation is an attempt to bring us back to a time when old white men like me ran the world. We're way past that, or should be.

Professional Licensing: HB1287, which earlier passed the House, allows the granting of an initial teaching license to a candidate who has completed an alternative teacher certification program run by a nonprofit organization, not a college. HB1531 allows individuals to teach certain subjects part-time in public school without a license if the person is a community expert and if no other person is available. I opposed these because they don't recognize that, to work with our children, "good teachers" must have training in much more than just subject matter and be provided in an accredited setting. Hearings begin in Senate Education on Tuesday.

 Behavioral Health: Some people may have been alarmed when the North Dakota Senate, shortly before the Legislature’s midsession break, voted down nine children’s behavioral health bills on identical 0-46 votes. Those votes, these actions, however, were less significant than they appeared. Those proposed programs did not die but were amended into SB2012, the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) budget bill. They are either written into separate sections of the legislation or will be included in the department’s budgets its behavioral health division. I will continue to support issues that improve behavioral health.

Limitations on Referrals: Initiatives and referrals provide a voice for voters. If they believe an issue has been ignored they can collect signatures and put it on the ballot. If they don’t like legislation enacted by the legislature, they can collect signatures and refer it. North Dakota citizens, after the legislature failed to enact medical marijuana or an ethics law put it up for a vote of the people. The people supported them. Some legislators have introduced resolutions to put more restrictions on the referral and initiative process. Their argument is that the process is too easy. I believe it's OK that people can act when they think legislators are not doing what is they think is best policy. I will continue to resist attempts to make the voting or referral process more cumbersome.

My contact information is: email, rholman@nd.gov, Text or call, 701-238-1124, or rholman2 on Facebook.

To follow the 66^th Legislative Assembly go to https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/66-2019/regular

 

 

Legislative Report #7 Feb. 25, 2019

 022519 Legislative Report at Crossover.

LEGISLATIVE FORUM, MSU LIBRARY, 10 A.M. SATURDAY MARCH 2.

It's the 33^rd day and we're at Crossover, the time when remaining House Bills are sent to the Senate and Senate Bills come to the House. With 600 or more bills and resolutions remaining, some will be defeated, some will be blended with others and the rest if changed, will go to a conference committee. If they successfully jump through all those hoops they go to the Governor for his blessing (or not).

FIREARMS/SCHOOLS

HB1332 establishes an “armed first responder” program for North Dakota schools, to be regulated by the superintendent of public instruction. The local school board would decide whether to have an armed first responder in their district. An armed first responder must have at least 80 hours of training about firearms shooting and handling, first aid, when lethal force should be used, and laws that govern the use of force. The person must pass a physical and mental health exam and a criminal background check. Schools would be required to provide the Department of Public Instruction with an armed first responder implementation plan, which would itself need approval from local law enforcement agencies and the state homeland security agency. A similar law in South Dakota has attracted only six school districts to participate. The bill passed the House. I voted no.

022519 Legislative Report at Crossover.

LEGISLATIVE FORUM, MSU LIBRARY, 10 A.M. SATURDAY MARCH 2.

It's the 33^rd day and we're at Crossover, the time when remaining House Bills are sent to the Senate and Senate Bills come to the House. With 600 or more bills and resolutions remaining, some will be defeated, some will be blended with others and the rest if changed, will go to a conference committee. If they successfully jump through all those hoops they go to the Governor for his blessing (or not).

FIREARMS/SCHOOLS

HB1332 establishes an “armed first responder” program for North Dakota schools, to be regulated by the superintendent of public instruction. The local school board would decide whether to have an armed first responder in their district. An armed first responder must have at least 80 hours of training about firearms shooting and handling, first aid, when lethal force should be used, and laws that govern the use of force. The person must pass a physical and mental health exam and a criminal background check. Schools would be required to provide the Department of Public Instruction with an armed first responder implementation plan, which would itself need approval from local law enforcement agencies and the state homeland security agency. A similar law in South Dakota has attracted only six school districts to participate. The bill passed the House. I voted no.

 

OIL AND GAS DOLLARS

HB1066: The “Operation Prairie Dog Bill” uses the revenue from the Oil and Gas Gross Production Tax and the Oil Extraction Tax to fund local infrastructure projects throughout North Dakota.  The bill passed the House on an 80-12 vote. This weekend a local friend, asked me about the "gopher bill", and for a minute, I was thinking of something with Game and Fish. Then he mentioned roads and I woke up to what he was saying. We don't have prairie dogs in eastern ND, but we do have gophers. I supported this bill.

 

ETHICS

Most of you supported Measure One on the November ballot so the Legislature was given the task of developing the legislation to implement this Constitutional Law. HB 1521 in the House and SB 2148 in the Senate. Both bills will be further amended and blended to make sure they fit the requirements of what the voters asked for. Ellen Chaffee, one of Measure One's backers, believes the House bill is not aligned with the Constitutional amendment, while the amended Senate bill represents "a responsible compromise." According to Sen. Tim Mathern, the Senate bill does three things, 1. Puts the Ethics Commission in place, 2. Proposes an interim legislative study to study and recommend a manner to address more thorny issues, and 3. Suggests that the final touches of law be passed in the 2021 session having given time for citizens, legislators, and lobbyists to come to workable implementation for the long term. I did not support the House bill which passed. Hopefully, I can support the final product.

 

Loretta Boehm has been making change at Capitol Cafe since 1969. With hundreds of people going by every day, she always has a smile. She knows the regulars and calls them by their first name. It's likely that she began her job with ash trays on every table and even a cigar at times. I'd guess that most of her customers were men. Everyone paid with cash. Probably a dollar or two would cover most meals while that does not even pay for a cup of coffee now. She still makes change for cash purchases, but most of her customers are now using some form of electronic pay. It's faster and easier and she's smiling even more. How many people can say they've been in the same job for 50 years?

For three sessions, I've been seated next to District 9 Rep. Marvin Nelson of Rolla. When something bad happens to a fellow legislator and friend, we care. Two weeks ago, when he was going home with his 3 and 5-year-old granddaughters in the back seat of his newly acquired van, a Rock Lake moose decided to take on his vehicle. The moose lost, the van lost but the girls were OK and after a night in the hospital to get checked out and some glass removed from his eyes, Marvin, with his great knowledge and skill as a legislator, is back in action. We're all thankful that our friend Marvin and his family are OK.

 

My contact information is: email, rholman@nd.gov, Text or call, 701-238-1124, or rholman2 on Facebook.

To follow the 66^th Legislative Assembly go to https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/66-2019/regular

  

 ETHICS

Most of you supported Measure One on the November ballot so the Legislature was given the task of developing the legislation to implement this Constitutional Law. HB 1521 in the House and SB 2148 in the Senate. Both bills will be further amended and blended to make sure they fit the requirements of what the voters asked for. Ellen Chaffee, one of Measure One's backers, believes the House bill is not aligned with the Constitutional amendment, while the amended Senate bill represents "a responsible compromise." According to Sen. Tim Mathern, the Senate bill does three things, 1. Puts the Ethics Commission in place, 2. Proposes an interim legislative study to study and recommend a manner to address more thorny issues, and 3. Suggests that the final touches of law be passed in the 2021 session having given time for citizens, legislators, and lobbyists to come to workable implementation for the long term. I did not support the House bill which passed. Hopefully, I can support the final product.

Loretta Boehm has been making change at Capitol Cafe since 1969. With hundreds of people going by every day, she always has a smile. She knows the regulars and calls them by their first name. It's likely that she began her job with ash trays on every table and even a cigar at times. Everyone paid with cash. Probably a dollar or two would cover most meals while that does not even pay for a cup of coffee now. She still makes change for cash purchases, but most of her customers are now using some form of electronic pay. It's faster and easier and she's smiling even more. How many people can say they've been in the same job for 50 years?

For three sessions, I've been seated next to District 9 Rep. Marvin Nelson of Rolla. When something bad happens to a fellow legislator and friend, we care. Two weeks ago, when he was going home with his 3 and 5-year-old granddaughters in the back seat of his newly acquired van, a Rock Lake moose decided to take on his vehicle. The moose lost, the van lost but the girls were OK and after a night in the hospital to get checked out and some glass removed from his eyes, Marvin, with his great knowledge and skill as a legislator, is back in action. We're all thankful that our friend Marvin and his family are OK.

Rick Holman

My contact information is: email, rholman@nd.gov, Text or call, 701-238-1124, or rholman2 on Facebook.

To follow the 66^th Legislative Assembly go to https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/66-2019/regular