Dakota Beacon

"I THINK KENNEDY WON" -- State Sen. Ray Holmberg, Grand Forks.  UND President Mark Kennedy was named president of the U. of Colorado system, overcoming considerable opposition to his appointment in Colorado.  Holberg went on to say, “But I also think UND won because there’s been a cloud hanging over us during this last month. We’re both winners.”  Kennedy will start at an annual salary of $650,000 in Colorado with the opportunity to go to $850,000.  He made $365,000 at UND.

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE  The ND Legislature wrapped up a session which Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner called “productive” and “hard-working;” House Majority Leader Chet Pollert concurred.  Gov. Doug Burgum considered the work “fiscally conservative” and “strategic.”  Even Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman chimed in calling their work a "step in the right direction” with “a lot more collaboration this session.”  What explains such harmony?  Maybe Burgum has the answer, "We're at a time of abundance in North Dakota.”

RECORD BUDGET  The Legislature approved $14.7 billion total spending for the 2019-21 budget cycle, the largest in history.  The general fund budget was $4.8 billion, second only to the 2013-15 biennium.  Major legislative accomplishments:

•   An endowment for the Roosevelt Library — a priority of  Gov. Burgum
•   Operation Prairie Dog — funding for infrastructure
•   Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) funding
•   Allowing Sunday morning shopping 
•   Flood control projects in Fargo and Minot
•   Sharing more oil tax revenue with the Three Affiliated Tribes

RAKING IT IN  ND led the nation in growth of inflation-adjusted tax revenues during the decade ending in 2018 — ND’s tax revenues grew 59% during that period.  Neighbors also did well: Minnesota (27%) and SD (22%).  The national average was 13%.

GRAND SKY has created the first unmanned airspace in the country to support flights beyond visual line of sight.  The airspace will eventually be a corridor along the entire Red River Valley from SD to Canada.  Grand Sky is the nation’s first UAS (unmanned aerial systems) business and aviation park and is located at the Grand Forks AFB.  Grand Sky works with the FAA and other federal agencies to achieve safe integration of UAS into national airspace.

A RESEARCH ROLE  ND has a role in developing technology for UAS flight through partnerships including UND, Grand Sky, the GFAFB and numerous other agencies.  ND frequently characterizes itself as a national UAS leader and is proud of facilities (mostly in the Grand Forks area) which participate in the industry.  Governor Burgum emphasizes the need for the state to continue investing in UAS.  This local pride is not misplaced, but it should be noted that ND is not a big player in commercial applications of UAS.   

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE  A Wall Street Journal article this week reported that Wing Aviation (Google) has been authorized by the FAA to operate a fleet of unmanned aircraft for consumer goods deliveries in Virginia.  Amazon is vying for similar approvals.  Arcturus UAV, a drone manufacturer, bid on a half billion dollar defense department contract.  The point being, that UAS activity in other regions dwarfs ND — individual projects may cost $100 million or more.  The state has many good reasons to continue supporting UAS, but its relative national importance should be kept in perspective.

FARGO COMING OF AGE  Block 9 is a mixed use high-rise under construction in Fargo.  It will be the state’s tallest private building and its most expensive.  Nearby, a four story, 39-unit complex is being completed behind a flood wall on the Red River.  Some condos will sell in the neighborhood of $620,000, pricey by ND standards.

A GF HERALD SURVEY asked residents in that city about economic and social concerns.  Retail decline was considered the greatest economic concern; property taxes were next.  The largest social concern was substance abuse.  In the same survey, GF residents gave their mayor a “B.”  His response was instructive — he said he was happy with a “B.”  Mayor Mike Brown said, "I strived for B's in medical school and college. I think those who strive so hard for that 'A' are too focused on the grade and not on the work they're doing.”

AMY DALRYMPLE is the new editor of the Bismarck Tribune.  She has recently been a Tribune reporter, but much of her previous career was with the Forum News Service.

THE BUBBLE will rest for a few months.  It’s an air-supported dome that during winter covers 86,000 square feet of outdoor space on the Minot State campus where it is used for a variety of outdoor sports.  The bubble is stored during warm weather months. 

“HE’S SOMALI. He’s black. And he’s Muslim — that’s a trifecta.” — The reaction of a Minneapolis civil right activist who on one hand praised the murder conviction of policeman Mohamed Noor and on the other hand implied bias.  This reflects the dilemma of the jury which faced criticism no matter its finding.  Noor is the first Minnesota police officer in recent memory to be convicted of murder and manslaughter in connection with an on-duty shooting.  Most of the Minneapolis Somali community views the conviction as based on race.

NOOR JUDGE TOOK RARE ACTION  The judge in the Noor trial sealed the juror names and related information to protect the jurors.  A law school professor said the practice was rare, but proper.  He said, “I never had a case that was in the spotlight like this that generated such strong feelings both locally and worldwide.”

“WHO’S GOING TO PAY for the border wall that will protect Minnesota from North Dakota. I think it’s clear that North Dakota should and will pay for it.” — Alan Davis, Moorhead, in a letter to the Forum.  He said the wall should be built to protect Minnesota democracy from the threat of ND.  “We are the chosen people because we vote, more often than not, for democracy instead of discrimination, for all citizens instead of the wealthy few,” Davis said.  Yes, he knows there are some good ND people, but their extremists should “not be allowed to cross over and threaten Minnesota residents.”

DAKTOIDS:  Gov. Burgum removed two felons from the Belcourt School Board (Turtle Mt. Reservation) for making threats during a state audit . . .  ND’s workplace death rate is triple the national average, making it the second worst state in that respect after Alaska . . . NDSU quarterback Easton Stick was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers . . . Extremes: ND taxable sales increased 12.5% in 2018 — Williston increased 26%, while Grand Forks decreased 12% . . . The Air Force is considering designating Grand Forks as the global leader for Global Hawk operations — the plane is a high-flying unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.