Plain Talk With Rob Port

A New York Times columnist says a proposed bill in North Dakota to ban gun buyback programs is one of the dumbest pieces of legislation, like, ever. The sponsor of that bill, Rep. Luke Simons, joins to discuss. This episode of the Plain Talk Podcast is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

State Rep. Shannon Roers Jones (R-Fargo) is frustrated about the way her bill to decriminalize marijuana was handled in the state House. She talks about it on this episode of Plain Talk. Also, UND has decided to nix a controversial employment relationship with its chief of staff. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

People are upset that their tax refunds aren't as large this year as they were in previous years, and they're blaming the Trump tax cuts. Even though most of them probably paid less in taxes. Wouldn't it be better if we junked withholding and sent everyone a bill for government? Also, marijuana activist David Owen talks about the failure of decriminalization in the Legislature and the possibility of a new measure to legalize recreational pot. This episode of Plain Talk brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Congressman Kelly Armstrong is on this episode of Plain Talk taking questions from listeners. You can submit questions for future segments to rob@sayanythingblog.com. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this Plain Talk, North Dakota corrections head Leann Bertsch talks about the debate over a women's facility where, according to Bertsch, things are so bad one prisoner had to resort to doing her own dental work. Bertsch says conditions violate the prisoner's 8th amendment rights, and leave North Dakota open to a lawsuit. Also, state lawmakers may want to note what the U.S. Supreme Court has to say about civil asset forfeiture. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk, state Senator David Hogue (R-Minot) talks about his proposed constitutional amendment, which passed the Senate this week, which gives the Legislature a veto over constitutional ballot measures. Also, a recent story about Bakken oil patch crimes illustrates the need for newsroom diversity. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Will President Donald Trump's emergency declaration over border security stand up to scrutiny from the courts and Congress? Senator Kevin Cramer, taking listener questions, says he has his doubts. Also, what can the Jussie Smollet situation tell us? A lot about the state of journalism in American in 2019. This episode brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Audio from the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in FArgo, 02-18-2019. Jay and Rob take a citizenship test.

On this episode of Plain Talk, McLean County State's Attorney Ladd Erickson and Fargo-based defense attorney Mark Friese debate the issue of civil asset forfeiture. Also, there is a rising tide of support for socialism in American politics, but it's an evil ideology which leads to suffering and death. This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Discussing the story Rob broke about an employee at the University of North Dakota who will be working from Texas and getting up to $25,000 a year to commute.

State lawmakers say they don't trust the fiscal notes they're getting from the executive branch. The state House has passed a bill that could, using Legacy Fund earnings, eliminate the income tax. Also Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions. On the border wall, he says he likes the proposed compromise, but he doesn't love it. Also a spokesman for a company which will be operating medical marijuana dispensaries in North Dakota talks about the difficulty in getting banking services. This episode of Plain Talk is sponsored by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk, an analysis of political contributions found not one reported contribution to a Republican from a member of the faculty or administration at NDSU. Is this a problem? Also, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has is dragging out the approval process for the Line 3 pipeline just as his predecessor Mark Dayton did. This episode is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

We talk a lot about the power of the people. The wisdom of the masses. But what if the masses are a mob prone to censorship and vigilantism? Also, a dentist makes the case for allowing dental therapists in North Dakota, and state Rep. Craig Headland talks about his bill to use the Legacy Fund to eliminate the income tax. This episode of Plain Tallk brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Audio from Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show, broadcasting on WDAY AM970 in Fargo. Jay and Rob talk about legislation defining land as posted by default as well as the controversy surrounding the use of a meme by state Rep. Rick Becker.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has announced her 2020 presidential campaign, but with her party moving sharply to the left these days, does a self-styled centrist from fly-over country have a chance? Also former Governor Ed Schafer weighs in on the debate around North Dakota's Legacy Fund. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Energy of North Dakota. Learn more at EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

State Rep. Rick Becker (R-Bismarck) caused some controversy when he posted an internet meme showing what some say is a mean-spirited depiction of prison rape. He responds to the controversy, calling his critics "hyper sensitive."

Congressman Kelly Armstrong joined this episode of Plain Talk for what will be weekly segments taking your questions. Submit them via Facebook or Twitter, or email them to rob@sayanythingblog.com. Also, should billionaires be illegal? That's a popular opinion among left wing activists and politicians these days, but does it make sense?

This episode of Plain Talk features what will be a regular segment with Senator Kevin Cramer answering questions from both you and me. Email your questions in each week to rob@sayanythingblog.com and I'll ask them. This week Cramer talks about donating shutdown salaries - he says it's not very noble - his reaction to Trump's State of the Union address, and his meeting with AG nominee William Barr. Also, North Dakota lawmakers shoot down a hike to the fuel tax, but shouldn't we be willing to pay for good roads?

Rob's appearance on the Jay Thomas Show on WDAY AM970 in Fargo/Moorhead talking about civil asset forfeiture legislation.