North Dakota State Representative District 35 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
Endorsements
3.14 Action
Campaign Email
taylorjohnsond35@gmail.com
Campaign Phone Number
701-527-5640
What are your top priorities?
My top priority is to make North Dakota the best state in the country to work and raise a family. To do that, I would fight for establishing a state paid family and medical leave program and publicly-funded pre-K options to help with childcare costs. Additionally, to improve trust and confidence in our state legislature, I would advocate for a fully-funded ethics commission so that it has the capacity to promptly investigate the current volume of complaints it receives.
How would you ensure that North Dakotans’ healthcare costs are affordable?
We need temporary state subsidies to bring down skyrocketing health insurance premiums for ACA marketplace plans while also implementing cost regulation strategies to ensure long-term sustainability, such as price caps, hospital rate setting, and procedure cost growth limits. Regulation is needed in conjunction with subsidies to provide a sustainable solution and avoid just throwing money at the problem.
How would you address the housing needs of the state?
Our state has a serious need for additional housing supply that is affordable for low- and middle-income earners. To address this, I would advocate for streamlining permitting processes and expanding tax credits and exemptions for building affordable housing.
What is your position on allowing public funds to be directed to non-public education?
I am opposed to public funds being directed to non-public education.
What are your views on the current voting methods and access to voting in North Dakota?
The current election and voting process in North Dakota is very secure while still maintaining accessibility for our rural residents. I would be very wary of new policies that add barriers to voting, especially if they would disproportionately impact our rural neighbors.
What is the role of the federal government regarding states’ rights, and are there currently any areas where you believe there is an imbalance?
I don’t believe there are currently any areas where there is an imbalance in states rights versus federal government power. That being said, it’s important to be aware of potential power imbalances with the federal government, especially in a state with a lower population relative to others like North Dakota.
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
karls2k@bis.midco.net
Campaign Phone Number
701-258-6836
What are your top priorities?
My top priorities include legislation to strengthen our economy and our education system, especially in the area of workforce development. Cutting income taxes and lowering property taxes even more are also on my priority list.
How would you ensure that North Dakotans’ healthcare costs are affordable?
A bill I prime-sponsored helps patients with chronic diseases by stating that health insurance plans must accept payment of out-of-pocket costs by a third party.
Regulating PBM's would be another step in the right direction.
How would you address the housing needs of the state?
Housing is much needed for our citizens and for workers we hope to attract to our state. We need to give builders and businesses the tools to encourage them to build here...whether it be monetary incentives in the form of tax credits or eliminating over-burdening regulations.
What is your position on allowing public funds to be directed to non-public education?
It already occurs through Title Programs. All funds, federal and state come from the taxpayers.
What are your views on the current voting methods and access to voting in North Dakota?
Voting in ND is easy and secure; we have robust voter I.D. requirements, use only paper ballots, and require training for our election workers down to even the precinct level. HAVA voting machines (ExpressVote ballot marking devices) are available for any reason. These and the ballot tabulators are NOT connected to the internet, thus preventing hacking into the system.
What is the role of the federal government regarding states’ rights, and are there currently any areas where you believe there is an imbalance?
Cooperation with the federal government has improved; the feds have eliminated much of the red tape that interferes with state authority. Our state has actually gained regulatory authority as a result.
Biographical Information
Website
http://www.bismanleaders.com
Campaign Email
lynnelaferhalvorsonfornd@gmail.com
Campaign Phone Number
701-202-0299
What are your top priorities?
Lowering Cost of Living (especially in Housing, Child Care & Health Care)
Supporting & Sustaining Small Businesses and Family Farms
Protecting & Strengthening Public Education (including Higher Education)
Preventing Prioritizing Out-of-State Corporate Interests over that of ND Taxpayers
Preserving and Reclaiming our Public Natural Spaces
Respecting Human Dignity
Restoring Transparency & Accountability in the State Legislature
Maintaining Balance of Political Perspectives in the State Legislature
How would you ensure that North Dakotans’ healthcare costs are affordable?
Put Caps on prescription drug costs
Provide direct and indirect Subsidies for health insurance
Establish a State-run health insurance program for lower-income families (like Washington State's
Basic Health Plan--which has been successful for over 30 years)
How would you address the housing needs of the state?
Expand the Housing Incentive Fund (HIF) to build affordable work-force housing
Minimizing the bureaucratic permit process
What is your position on allowing public funds to be directed to non-public education?
I very strongly oppose allowing public funds to be directed to non-public education. Weakened public schools will NOT be able to compete with private schools which not only get Taxpayer money but corporate funds as well. Public education has been the bedrock of a functioning Democracy. Weakened public schools will shift power and prosperity from ordinary citizens to those who can afford to send their children to school.
What are your views on the current voting methods and access to voting in North Dakota?
I approve of the current policy that our citizens do not need to register to vote. Although it is somewhat problematic, I would rather see ALL citizens have adequate and easy access to voting even though this allows for non-citizens to vote than to take a chance that actual citizens will Not be able to vote. If and when we begin to see a sizeable number of non-Citizen voters at the polls, we can address that issue at that time.
What is the role of the federal government regarding states’ rights, and are there currently any areas where you believe there is an imbalance?
I have always believed that an extremely powerful federal government is not in the best interests of a democracy. Current evidence of that includes Environmental Regulations and Election Administration. However, there are certain public conditions which affect the entire society which are best handled as a nation rather than a state. One example of that would be Universal Health Coverage.
Biographical Information
What are your top priorities?
My top priorities are in the areas of education, workforce and economic develoment, and state employees. In order to continue to enhance the well being of the people in my district, community, and state, I see these as strong priorities in order to grow the revenue streams needed through our top industries: energy, agriculture, and tourism.
How would you ensure that North Dakotans’ healthcare costs are affordable?
There are many complexities to this question as multiple considerations go into the determination of health care costs. Consumer information and transparency are vital. And any legislation that promotes a healthy life style should be supported.
How would you address the housing needs of the state?
I would support legislation that would enhance the building of low cost housing as well as programs for fuel assistance during the winter.
What is your position on allowing public funds to be directed to non-public education?
Public funds should not be directed toward non-public education. It is the state’s responsibility to properly fund public education.
What are your views on the current voting methods and access to voting in North Dakota?
North Dakota has excellent voting methods and access. We are safe and secure.
What is the role of the federal government regarding states’ rights, and are there currently any areas where you believe there is an imbalance?
There is a constant push-pull between states’ rights and the role of the federal government. Of course there are times things are not in the right balance. I believe that decisions that can be made closer to the people are the best decisions.