Letter to the editor: North Dakota leaders right to launch anti-abortion fight

What a difference God can make in two years. It is a wonderful thing to see the Lord Jesus Christ work out his plan through our own North Dakota Legislature.

Good luck to all our graduates

Every spring thousands of graduates pour out of high schools and colleges around the region. They have reached a milestone in their lives and deserve the recognition and congratulations of friends and community.

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Letter to the editor: Sort items properly at the recycling center

I’m not sure that everyone realizes the wonderful resource Jamestown has in its recycling center. Tons of materials go through there that would otherwise go into the landfill but instead go on to be reused in metal and paper products. The center also takes clean and useable clothing and shoes that go for good causes.

List alone won’t be enough

If the North Dakota Industrial Commission is serious, more of the state’s “culturally important” places might be off limits to oil, gas and other potentially damaging development. The commission, at the behest of member Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, intends to visit specific places this summer with the goal of putting them on a list that might afford the sites some degree of protection.

Letter to the editor: Story implied Christians don’t welcome all people

We are responding to the May 10 article, “Church’s ‘open’ view draws interest” which speaks of congregations that are “open and affirming” of those who engage in same-sex behavior. Sadly, this article also implies that Christians who believe that same-sex behavior is sinful are not willing to welcome or love people who struggle with this sin.

Lawmakers should remember who they work for

Controlled chaos is a calm among the storm. The final weeks of North Dakota’s 63rd Legislative Session were anything but controlled chaos.

Column: Raining on the tax cut parade

It is not my wish to rain on everyone’s parade but the huge tax cuts passed by the recent Legislature are neither wise nor conservative.

Letter to the editor: School Board members need to explain their votes

I am writing in response to the action of the Jamestown Public School Board in not hiring Jeff Nold. Why do you have committees? Nold was the best candidate according to the committee.

Why we need a farm bill

This week, I am working with other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee to draft a five-year farm bill. This marks the next act in a play that began too long ago. Unfortunately, the previous Congress was unable to pass a long-term bill, and rural North Dakotans were forced to settle with a one-year extension.

Bravo to Mandan man who helped save girl

The Jamestown Sun hands out these bravos and a buffalo chip this week:

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Take care as work begins in the fields

Spring weather finally seems to be headed in the direction we’ve been waiting for so long. That in turn means farmers around the region dealing with delays will push to get their crops in the field at the most advantageous times. Safety needs to be on their minds and the minds of the traveling public.

East-west conflict is set aside

One of the enduring themes in North Dakota history is the enmity between east and west. Some of it’s real, much of it is myth. When it comes to the recently concluded 2013 Legislature, the record shows most of it is myth — at least among brighter lawmakers.

Letter to the editor: All gun sales should require getting a background check

I was surprised the universal background check bill did not pass the Senate as it would help to reduce gun violence, and, if passed, would be the foundation for further legislation. I support this bill.

Guy’s work is not yet finished

In all the grand and appropriate tributes to the late North Dakota Gov. William Guy, his visionary thinking about water development often was cited. Guy, who died last month at age 93, surely was among those few politicians who understood how water — too much of it, not enough of it — affected the state’s people, economy and future.

Level the sales-tax playing field

Greg Danz, proprietor of Zandbroz, faces an invisible wall that he and many other merchants face, whether located downtown or in a mall. His store in Fargo must charge its customers 7.5 percent in state and local sales taxes. In Moorhead, the state sales tax takes a bite of 6.875 percent.