FEBRUARY 27, 2013 THE PRESS PAGE 5
LEGISLATIVE EDITION
Miller report: Roads, taxes, prolife action
By Joe Miller
Sen. District 10
BISMARCK, N.D. -- Fi-
nally, a slight reprieve! It has
been a very busy experience this,
session. I was appointed chair-
man of the Senate Agriculture
committee and continue to serve
on the Finance and Taxation
committee. Our Agriculture
committee is tasked with a rela-
tively light work load this ses-
sion. As I am writing this letter,
the Senate Agriculture has com-
pleted its work until crossover.
That is contrasted with the Fi-
nance and Taxation committee
which is very busy.
The legislature has accom-
plished two very important tasks
this session already. It was de-
cided it would be prudent to fast
track two bills relating to water
and road funding. This will allow
the money to get to the subdivi-
sions faster and begin the bid-
ding process for these projects
much earlier than normal. In-
cluded in the road funding was
100 million for non-oil impacted
counties. This includes a blanket
appropriation of $15,000 to all
townships.
There are many ideas floating
around for tax relief. Several in-
come tax, sales tax and property
tax reduction bills are in the
works. The bulk of the property
tax relief will be handled in the
education funding bill which is"
intent on reworking parts of the
formula to replace local property
tax dollars with state funding.
Unfortunately this bill is not in
the Finance and Taxation com-
mittee but in the Education com-
mittee. We will however have a
joint committee meeting on the
bill when it arrives in the Senate.
I expect that there will be a 1
billion dollar tax relief package
that will pass out of the legisla-
ture this session. This will likely
include a lot of property tax buy
downs and little bit of everything
else. Time will tell once we get
passed crossover what these re-
lief packages will look like.
Several other issues are mak-
ing their way through the legis-
lature. We have a series of
pro-life bills in the legislature. I
have sponsored a bill relating the
pain a baby is capable of feeling
in the womb. This, bill sets a
benchmark of 20 weeks after
which a'child may not be aborted
based on the science that proves
children can feel pain at that
point. SB2268
We have passed out of the
Senate a bill that relates to ani,
mal cruelty, abuse, abandon-
ment, and neglect. I believe the
bill had originally gone too far in
, its attempt to addi:ess the issue of
animal abuse. The Agriculture
committee brought amendments
and I believe the current form of
the bill is more suitable to North
Dakotans and will provide the
ability to prosecute bad actors
but allow animal agriculture to
continue to prosper in our state.
SB 2211
If you have any questions or
concerns you are free to contact
me:
joetmiller@nd.gov •
600 E Blvd Ave Bismarck,
ND 58501
701-331-1491
Trottier report: Looking for the right bills
Keep the comments, phone calls coming
By Wayne Trottier
Rep. District 19
BISMARCK, N.D. -- To everyone in District
19: Representative Wayne Trottier reporting:
I am finally getting a legislative report to you.
We have just passed our 5th week in the legisla-
tive session.
There have been 467 bills written in the House
of Representatives. Of that 281 have been acted
on, with 186 bills left. These have to be acted on
by crossover, which is March 1. At that point, all
of the approved house bills go over to the Senate to
hear, and the Senate bills come over to the House
to hear and act on.
I currently serve on the Finance and Tax com-
mittee and the Agriculture committee.
First of all, in the Finance and Tax committee,
we have seen and heard lots of tax relief or tax
"forgiveness" bills. I guess that is understandable,
with the budget surplus. We see a lot groups that
want their special interest be relieved of sales tax,
income tax, and many fee type taxes. For the most
part, most of these bills come out of committee,
with a Do Not Pass recommendation.
We are still looking for the right bills that ad-
dress the main issues, that almost everyone is con-
cemed about, and that is (1) infrastructure for the
"oil counties", as well as the entire state. (2) Per-
sonal property tax relief or reform. (3) Lower state
income tax for individuds and corperate income
tax.
We have passed in both the House and Senate a
620 million dollar allotment for state highways in
the oil counties to be effective immediately. That
is to go through the ND Department of Trans-
portation.
Also both the House and Senate passed 100 mil-
lion dollars to non oil counties for infrastructure,
22 million to SW water district and 10.3 million to
3 other water districts.
In the Agriculture committee, we have not had
a lot of bills, mostly smaller type issues. One was
a bill that required bee keepers to set their bee hives
further from highways, so that walkers or hikers,
bicyclers, horseback riders & etc would not be
harmed The committee sent that to the floor with
a Do Not Pass. We felt the bee keeper do their best
now, partly because they do lose a lot of their bees
from windshield loss if they are placed too close
to major highways.
I have receieed many, many more emails and
phone calls, this session, than last.session. I thank
all of you for that and please, keep that up. It has
changed my vote in a few cases, and as many of
you can attest to, I willgive you my disagreement
so that we can have a good discussion on each par-
ticular issue.
Finally, I did write a bill, asking the state to fund
$100,000 to go to the ND Vietnam Veterans Assoc
to work to help Agent Orange victims. It would
primarily help the assoc locate and direct the vic-
tims of Agent Orange to the Veterans hospital and
Veterans organizations. I will write an entire col-
umn in the next few weeks, to alert you on some of
the issues these veterans have or may have con-
ceming Agent Orange.
We are scheduling district 19 forums for ques-
tions during March. Watch your local newspape
and posters for time and dates.
Thanks everyone, and have a good week.
wtrottier@nd.gov
701-587 5040
cell 701-238 0763
Campbell report: Visiting with a legend, discrimination, DUIs, milk, and knee-jerk reactions
By Tom Campbell
Sen. District 19
BISMARCK, N.D. -- 6th
week of the Legislative .session
proved to be another controver-
sial & busy week from tax relief
to sex orientation. Nice to see
so many Dist 19 visiting our
State Capitol.
Back in the ring! 49 yr old
Virgil Hill, Grand Forks native
and World champion boxer plans
last fight. He visited the Gover-
nor & Senate. I had my picture
taken with him with his fist in
my face. How long do you
think I would last in the ring with
him? 1 second, 1 minute or 1
round? Good luck Virgil, he has
been a great ambassador for ND.
We heard the Legislative rev-
enue forecast from state officials
stating growth remains strong
but appears to be entering a
stage where it is beginning to sta-
bilize. Despite the small reduced
revenue forecast of 1% our state
is still very strong and there is
nothing to worry about but never
lose sight. Everything in my life
has always been cyclical, lots of
ups & downs, lets hope oil stays
up for years to come
SB 2262 regarding 911 serv-
ices was killed; so, nothing will
change and we will continue to
fund 911 locally. Thanks again
for Brent Nelson 911/director for
his time spent testifying.
The very controversial sex
orientation bill 2252 was nar-
rowly shot dbwn by the senate
26-21 votes. This bill was ask:
ing for a ban on sexual discrimi-
nation based on sexual
orientation (sexual choice of
gender) in the work place, hous-
hag & government. The LGBT
(Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual & Trans-
gender) society feels the hostil-
ity to live in ND but current fed-
eral law in place does not allow
for discrimination. A big prob-
lem for me in this proposed and
failed bill was it allowed for
someone if thoOght was "PER-
CEIVED" to be gay or homo-
sexual by their employer or
landlord could sue them up to 2
years if they fired them at the job
or kicked them out of there
apartment for a legitimate rea-
son. 99% of my email con-
stituents in dist 19 including
church groups, business's and in-
dividuals strongly encouraged
me to vote no on this bill, I
agreed with them and did vote
no. I personally do not disCrim-
inate and condone anyone who
does, I do not think our state is
hostile to discrimination; if you
disagree or see any incidences of
discriminating in our area please
let me know.
Wanda Kratochvil Walsh
County Public Health Director
was at the Capitol promoting key
County health activities she
works hard at. They provided
great information and a great
noon lunch; thanks Wanda great
to see you.
Jason Carlson, director of the
Lutheran Sunset Home in
Grafton joined me in the senate
chamber, it was his 1 st time to
the capitol, I am currently track-
ing a few bills for him regarding
ND longterm care. Jason
moved to Grafton last August,
we are very fortunate to have
such fine talent at the Sunset
Home and welcome him and his
family to Grafton.
Also visiting from Grafton
was Tom Torkelson, president of
the School board, he sat with me
Photos: Submitted
Above: Sen. Tom Campbell and world champion boxer Virgil Hill
during the controversial abortion
bill debates, he is a fellow potato
grower & great friend who I
have know all my life, we rem-
inisced old times when both are
dad's were on the school board,
also other board members Don
Suda, Dan Johnson & Superin-
tendent Jack Maus were there;
great to see all of you taking time
out of your busy schedule
I have guarded optimism that
we are working our way to reso-
lution on one of the burning is-
sues of this session; what to do
about reducing DUI violations
and highway related deaths.
The initial proposals were to
JhUSt toughen penalties with
igher fines and mandatory jail
sentences. But law enforcement
people and state's attorneys be-
lieve the consequence would be
to clog the court system with far
more trials for which they don't
have adequate resources.
A Senate bill that is working
its way through the system dou-
bles the fines, but doesn't make
jail time mandatory until the sec-
ond offense. Yet it does two other
interesting things. It makes re-
fusal to submit to a chemical test,
which itself is not now an of-
fense, analogous to the DUI
charge with the same or similar
enalties. It also appropriates
1.3 million to buy 24/7 ankle
bracelets for those convicted,
which will reveal any consump-
tion of alcohol by them.
On a second conviction the
bracelet would have to be worn
for at least a year.
If we are honest with our-
selves it is likely that mosfofus
who use alcohol have at one time
or. another gotten behind the
steering wheel of a car when we
shouldn't have. The other truth is
our choice whether to do so be-
comes more clouded as blood al-
cohol increases. I have received
many emails from our dist 19,
suggesting We make laws
tougher but don't forget about
common sense, I couldn't agree
anymore with'the common sense
of so many of you I respect. I
believe the amendments of this
bill gives a break to the 1st
timers and is a great compromise
to putting everyone in jail.
Another highly debated topic
that has been going on since the
Boston Tea Party. Last week the
House voted down 9 out of 10
tax bills. I am vice chair of the
finance and tax committee and
have spent many hours debating
and studying diff ideas etc about
taxes. We have currently heard
42 tax bills from Income, prop-
erty, clothing, sales, homestead,
oil to coal in committee; lots of
diff ideas, we have killed &
amended many, too early to tell
how it will shake out but I do
know one thing, we all heard the
measure on property tax relief
loud & clear, no doubt .in my
mind you will get more property
tax relief, it is just a matter of
how. I will keep you posted as
the session moves along.
One of the crosses we have to
bear as legislators is knee jerk re-
action from folks who don't have
the full story. The Fargo Forum
crucified legislators, calling
them mean and stingy when the
House killed a bill to provide
milk for children. Truth is,, chil-
dren in hot lunch'programs al-
ready receive the required pint a
day, which the American Heart
Association recommends. If the
family has low income they
qualify for free or reduced price
meals for the kids.
Because of the storm, I spent
the last weekend in Bismarck.
Enjoyed touring the Supreme
Court Chambers and the 18th
,floor of Capitol observation
floor, could almost see the Lari-
more, Northwood & Grafton
water towers from up there.
This floor showed pictures of the
old capitol burning down in
1930. New construction costs
of $2million completed in 1934
during the depression era and
much more history of our state.
If you have never been here I
would invite you to drive West
and enjoy this beautiful Capitol
bui'l'ding, I sure am.
New governors mansion con-
sffuction project was rejected in
the house, Jack will have to con-
tinue to tough it out in the old
home.
I was interviewed by radio
URL live regarding "Giving
Hearts Day" on Valentines Day.
This is an annual online fund
raising & aweness day for non-
profit organizations. I spoke for
the Mission for the homeless &
Teen Challenge.
March 2, legislative forum at
Granny's restaurant in Grafton at
9:00 am & l:00pm at Minto
Community Center. If I can
track any bills or if you would
like to comment pMase email me
at :tomcampbell@nd.gov
Public
....N0tices
Notice to Creditors
Diane Li )sh Estate
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF WALSH
COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA
In the Matter of the Estate of DIANE
LIPSH, Deceased.
Probate NO. 50-2013-PR-00011
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
• undersigned has been appointed personal
representative of the above estate. All
persons having claims within three (3)
months after the date of the first
publication of this notice or said claims will
b0 forever barred. Claims must either be
presented to David Lipsh, Co-Personal
Representative of the estate, at c/o Tracy
L. Laaveg, PC, PO Box 127, Park River,
ND 58270 or filed with the court.
Dated this 8 day of February, 2013.
DAVID LIPSH
Co-Personal Representative
Tracy L. Laaveg, PC
Attorney ID #5839
102 4th St. W.
PO Box 127
Park River, ND 58270
Telephone: (701) 284 6300
Fax: (701) 284-6306
Attorney for the Petitioner
(February 20, 27 and March 6, 2013)
CITY OF CRYSTAL, NORTH DAKOTA
OPPORTUNITY TO PROTEST
The owners of property within the
improvement district and liable to be
specially assessed for said improvement
may file with the City Auditor, within thirty
(30) days after the first publication of the
Resolution of Necessity For Street
Improvement District No. 2013-1, written
protests against the making of the
improvements, which written protests
must describe the property which is the
subject of the protest.
On March 27, 2013, at 7:00 p.m., at
the Crystal City Hall, located at 336 3rd
Street, in Crystal, North Dakota, the
governing body shall meet for the purlose
of hearing and determining the sufficiency
of any protest so filed and taking any such
further action with reference to said
improvement as may then be deemed
necessary and expedient.
RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY FOR
STREET IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO.
2013-1
BE IT RESOLVED by the governing
body of the City of Crystal, North Dakota
(the "City"), as follows:
1. It is hereby declared necessary
for the City to make an improvement of the
type specified in North Dakota Century
Code, Chapter 40-22, for Street
Improvement District No. 2013-1 (the
"District") of the City, an improvement
consisting of, but not limited to, bituminous
paving and patch work, mill and overlay,
and the acquisition of any necessary
rights-of-way in connection therewith, as
well as all other items of'work and
materials which are necessary or
reasonably incidental to the completion of
the improvement, in accordance with and
as described in the Resolution Creating
said District, adopted February 13, 2013,
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and in accordance with the engineer's
report as to the general nature, purpose
and feasibility of the proposed
improvement and estimate of costs, which
has been prepared by Kadrmas Lee &
Jackson, approved by the City Council,
and is on file in the Office of the City
Auditor and subject to inspection by
anyone interested herein.
2. The cost of the improvement, or
a portion thereof, shall be paid by special
assessments to be levied upon properties
within the District in amounts proportionate
to and, not exceeding the benefits to be
derived by them respectively, from the
improvement.
3. The City Auditor is hereby
authorized and directed to cause this
Resolution together with a map'of the City
of Crystal showing the proposed
improvement district, in substantially the
form attached hereto as Attachment 1, to
be published once each week for two
consecutive weeks in the official
newspaper of the City.
4. The owners of the property
within the District may file with the City
Auditor, within thirty (30) days after the first
publication of this. Resolution, written
protests against the adoption of this
Resolution, which written protests must
describe the property which is the subject
of the protest, and this governing body
shall meet at the Crystal City Hall, located
at 336 3rd Street, in Crystal, North Dakota,
on March 27, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. to hear
and determine the sufficiency of any
written protests so filed and taking any
such further action with reference to the
improvement as may then be deemed
necessary and expedient.
Dated February 13, 2013.
CITY OF CRYSTAL, NORTH DAKOT!
Attest:
Larry McCollum
Mayor
Alva J. Brown
City Auditor
(February 20, 27, 2013)
