Dear Minot:
The 2025 North Dakota Legislature is under way in Bismarck, and while our legislators get to work, we also have responsibilities as residents of this state.
We expect our elected lawmakers to conduct the state’s business over the next few months, and each of us has our own thoughts regarding what we expect from those we supported at the polls. But as voters, our duty doesn’t end when the election results are certified.
I would argue that our responsibility as residents of this state, and as voters, is just beginning. It’s up to us to keep ourselves informed about what is happening at the Capitol in Bismarck, and to reach out to our legislators if we have concerns, questions, or complaints.
There is a lot happening every day of the legislative session. Hundreds of bills will be introduced by senators and representatives, and every bill gets a hearing. That means our elected lawmakers will spend a lot of time in committee hearings, and holding discussions and votes during floor sessions.
There is a wealth of information on the Legislature’s website at www.ndlegis.gov. You can track bills, watch live and archived video from floor sessions, read budget information for the 2025-27 biennium, and find contact information for every member of the Legislature.
You can also attend legislative forums held by the Minot Area Chamber EDC during the legislative session. The forums will be held at the North Dakota State Fair Center on Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 15, March 15, March 29, and April 5 beginning at 9 a.m. Local elected officials in attendance provide information and updates about what’s happening at the Legislature, and can help answer questions or address concerns from constituents.
The forums are a great way to reach out to your legislators face-to-face instead of through email or a voicemail. It’s a simple and effective way to let them know on a personal level about your concerns or any issues you might have with their votes or their support of particular bills. I urge you to attend these sessions for the best access to your elected officials.
All of us should be involved in the legislative process. The decisions made by our elected legislators impact our daily lives in a wide variety of ways, from the enormity of the state budget to smaller bills that deal with specific items or issues. They have a responsibility to listen to and consider the concerns of residents, even if they don’t necessarily agree with that resident’s thought process or suggestions on how to vote on a certain topic.
On an individual level, those who voted in the most recent election chose to support the candidates whose positions and opinions most closely agree with their own. We support specific candidates because we believe they will help steer the state in a direction we agree with in the short-term and for the future. Now, with the 2025 Legislature in session, it’s up to us to keep an eye on what’s happening in Bismarck and to express our opinions with our legislative leaders.
We also have a responsibility, as individuals, to conduct ourselves with proper behavior. When we address our elected leaders, we should show them the same level of respect we expect them to show us. Berating public officials doesn’t solve anything, whether it’s in person, on the phone, or in a text or email. Our legislators will make hundreds of decisions during the 2025 Legislature, and they will face much criticism from a variety of sources. But we can agree to disagree in a manner that allows us, as residents, to make our point without being disrespectful.
Our elected leaders are in Bismarck doing the work that we elected them to do. It’s our responsibility to inform ourselves about the legislative process and it’s up to us to be involved with our local legislators. The system works best when we’re involved in the process.
You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.