North Dakota State Representative District 21 Choose 2
The North Dakota State House consists of 94 representatives, who meet in regular legislative sessions to make our state laws and set our state budget. Learn more at ndlegis.gov.
Biographical Information
Website
http://ld4nd.com
Campaign Email
lmdronen@gmail.com
Instagram
http://www.instagram.com/lauradronen21/
Campaign Phone Number
701-238-6384
What are your top priorities?
Education - As the daughter of a music and art teacher and the product of Fargo Public Schools, I’ll advocate to fully fund and support our public schools.
Housing - It is unconscionable that veteran homelessness is on the rise in North Dakota. Really addressing homelessness requires us to look beyond emergency shelter.
Healthcare and mental healthcare - These issues are deeply personal for me. Losing my husband, Erik, opened my eyes to how insufficient our approach to suicide prevention is.
How would you ensure that North Dakotans’ healthcare costs are affordable?
Healthcare isn’t a privilege—it’s a fundamental human right. Between Medicaid cuts and the end of the ACA tax premium credits, a new health care crisis is already impacting millions. This is just adding to the burden of drug prices, shuddered health care facilities, and access issues folks face.
We need more transparency in pricing and to look into limits on the cost of drug prices. But I think we’ll need to take a bolder approach to ensure North Dakotans can afford the care they need.
How would you address the housing needs of the state?
Last session, lawmakers were prepared to pass $25M for housing grants, but couldn’t agree on the final bill. That was a missed opportunity. We need to fund flexible grants for local governments so they can increase the supply of housing —It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to buy a home.
Really addressing homelessness requires us to look beyond emergency shelter.
What is your position on allowing public funds to be directed to non-public education?
I'm opposed. We should be fully funding our public schools, not drawing public dollars away from them. Last session, multiple bills to direct public funds to private schools through “education savings accounts” were introduced, but did not pass.
I’m a product of Fargo Public Schools, and my mom, Marcy, taught music and art in FPS schools until she retired in 2018, so I’ve seen up close how hard our public educators work. Let’s do more to support them!
What are your views on the current voting methods and access to voting in North Dakota?
I don’t think legislators should be telling municipalities what voting methods they can and can’t use. I also think we need to increase access to the ballot box while ensuring our elections are safe and secure–college students should be able to vote with a student certificate. We need to do what we can to increase voter participation, especially in our municipal elections.
What is the role of the federal government regarding states’ rights, and are there currently any areas where you believe there is an imbalance?
We’ll always see a level of tug and pull between federal and state governments. I’m concerned about the growth in power in the executive branch of our federal government. I also think that far too often, our state legislature seizes control from our local governments.
Biographical Information
What are your top priorities?
Strengthening ND Public Education
Decreasing Poverty and Ending Hunger and Homelessness
Fighting for Human Rights and Equity for all ND Residents
How would you ensure that North Dakotans’ healthcare costs are affordable?
The rising cost of health care is creating an economic crisis for both individuals and for employers. As a past member of an Interim Health Care Committee, we reviewed some options or solutions that are potentially available. ND needs to prioritize legislation to assure healthcare providers and insurance companies cover services at reasonable rates, prioritize lowering drug costs, offer preventative care and behavioral health services.
How would you address the housing needs of the state?
In the urban areas of North Dakota, there needs to be incentives for developing affordable single family housing rather than apartment living. Equally important is the revitalize the small and rural communities across our state where affordable homes are available but there are severely limited job opportunities and social opportunities to attract individuals and families. I would support l the state investing in funding grants for towns and cities to develop more affordable housing.
What is your position on allowing public funds to be directed to non-public education?
I am strongly opposed to public funds going to non-public institutions. The ND constitution explicitly states it is not permissible for sectarian or religious education to be funded with public funds. However, if public funds were given private schools, I believe it is necessary for public accountability, locally elected representation on official boards, open enrollment, and high quality services provided for students with disabilities. Unless these conditions are met NO PUBLIC MONEY.
What are your views on the current voting methods and access to voting in North Dakota?
Elections should be governed at the state and local level without interference federal directives. Some examples include specific voting methods; for example voter identification and the absentee ballot deadline. Voting by mail in small town ND is vastly different than voting in other regions of our nation so the determination of deadlines and poling processes should be governed by the state not the federal government.
What is the role of the federal government regarding states’ rights, and are there currently any areas where you believe there is an imbalance?
The role of the federal government has/and is increasing their role in state government activities in recent years. Recent decisions by the federal administration and the Supreme Court are chipping away state rights where citizen can have the most direct input and be represented.