With host Scott Hannon "frolicking" through the fjords of Norway, guest host Greg Steeman takes the reins for a power-packed session of What’s On Your Mind. This episode pulls back the curtain on the often-overlooked "third branch" of government and the high-stakes world of state utility regulation.
We sit down with the North Dakota Supreme Court’s newest Justice, Mark Freese, who shares his unlikely journey from auto mechanic and police officer to the state's highest bench. Then, Public Service Commissioner Jill Kringstedt joins to explain how North Dakota maintains the lowest electric rates in the nation and why energy independence is the state's ultimate "cheat code." Finally, State Representative Scott Wagner sparks a debate on election reform and the potential for city-level primaries. It’s an episode about public service, pragmatic politics, and why your power bill is lower than your neighbor’s.
🎧 Standout Moments & Timestamps
[00:01:18] – The Supreme Court Challenge Greg challenges listeners to name all five North Dakota Supreme Court justices without using Google. Spoiler: Most people can't, yet it’s a co-equal branch of government that impacts every law in the state.
[00:05:05] – From the Garage to the Gavel Justice Mark Freese details his "Forrest Gump" career path—starting as an auto mechanic student before becoming a police officer, a JAG officer in the Army National Guard, and eventually a Supreme Court Justice.
[00:08:14] – The Ethics of Defense "How can you represent that person?" Justice Freese provides a powerful defense of the Sixth Amendment, comparing the role of a defense attorney to an emergency room doctor who must treat every patient regardless of their past.
[00:13:00] – Mandatory Review vs. The High Courts A fascinating look at legal bureaucracy: Justice Freese explains why North Dakota is unique because the Supreme Court must hear every properly filed appeal, unlike the U.S. Supreme Court which only hears about 40 cases a year.
[00:16:15] – The 9-Year-Old Campaigner Jill Kringstedt shares how her obsession with public service began in the 4th grade while wearing out her sneakers door-knocking for John Hoeven.
[00:20:12] – The $250 Million Savings Commissioner Kringstedt reveals a staggering stat: If North Dakotans paid the same utility rates as Louisiana (the 2nd cheapest state), it would cost the state’s economy an extra quarter of a billion dollars annually.
[00:22:12] – "Fairy Dust and Unicorn Farts" Guest host Kevin Flynn vents about the legal battles between Minnesota and North Dakota over energy production, labeling the conflict "biting the hand that feeds you."
[00:27:15] – The Election "Sprint" vs. the "Marathon" Representative Scott Wagner argues for municipal primaries, noting that in crowded fields, candidates often win with only 15% of the vote—leading to winners who don't actually represent the majority.
[00:40:15] – The Power of the First Resort A thoughtful closing moment on the role of faith and prayer in navigating the "vitriol and lunacy" of modern-day politics.