With host Scott Hennen still away in Norway, guest host Greg Steeman (North Dakota District 27 Rep) leads a deep-dive into the state’s "checkbook" and the strategic decisions shaping North Dakota’s economic landscape. This episode features a heavy-hitting lineup, including Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring, and local GOP Chairman Carter Eisinger.
The conversation covers everything from the "historic" property tax relief passed in the last session to the $500 million investment in a natural gas pipeline intended to link western production with eastern demand. We also tackle the "single subject" measure on the upcoming ballot, the resilience of North Dakota's livestock industry, and a listeners’ debate on state debt versus the multi-billion dollar Legacy Fund. It’s an episode focused on transparency, infrastructure, and why "monetizing the gas" is the key to the state's next decade of growth.
🎧 Standout Moments & Timestamps
[00:02:08] – Historic Property Tax Relief Senate Majority Leader David Hogue breaks down the $1,600 tax credit for primary residents and the controversial 3% cap on local government revenue growth.
[00:05:22] – The "Bait and Switch" Ballot Rule A look at the upcoming June Primary measure that would require future constitutional amendments to be limited to a single subject to prevent unpopular ideas from "hiding" behind popular ones.
[00:07:35] – The Debt Debate A listener from Williston asks why the state doesn't just use the Legacy Fund to pay off its $1.8 billion in debt. Senator Hogue explains the difference between obligated debt (like the Fargo Diversion) and "living within our means."
[00:09:55] – Principle vs. Earnings Steeman and Hogue clarify a major misconception: the state isn't "hoarding" the $14 billion Legacy Fund; it is actively using the earnings to fund property tax relief while protecting the principle for when oil eventually "tanks."
[00:13:57] – Accessibility in ND Politics Carter Eisinger discusses "Politics and a Plate" and highlights why North Dakota has the most accessible politicians in the country—where you can still get a State Senator’s cell phone number.
[00:21:20] – The Homelessness Math Kevin Flynn does the "leftist math" on California’s $29 billion homelessness spending, calculating that it equates to roughly $145,000 per person—yet very little of it reaches the actual unhoused population.
[00:28:15] – Morale in the Oil Patch & Ag Field Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring joins to discuss the "historic" high expenses facing farmers. While commodity prices are decent, manufacturing and service costs have skyrocketed 150% since COVID.
[00:31:05] – The $500 Million Pipeline Gamble Goehring defends the state's massive investment to move natural gas to Eastern North Dakota, arguing it will "take the cuffs off" economic activity and prevent producers from having to cap oil wells.