Grabinger-Dist12Jamestown, ND (Aug 15, 2013) — North Dakota Democratic-NPL legislators joined members of the Jamestown communities for an intimate round table discussion on Thursday at The Meeting Grounds in Jamestown.

Dem-NPL Assistant Senate Leader, Joan Heckaman (New Rockford) discussed the importance of K-12 education in North Dakota, saying “The fact that we even have to fight to raise the minimum teacher salary, fight to fund HeadStart and early childhood education programs, and fight to come up with real solutions to the childcare crisis when we’re sitting on $1.6 billion additional surplus dollars is a glimpse into just how out of touch the Republican leadership really is. Education and the children in our state should be a top priority.”

Representative Jessica Haak (Jamestown) discussed the need for the state to do more for roads and infrastructure needs in the state, saying “If you’ve driven around this state you’ve seen the crumbling roads, and you’ve heard about overcrowded schools. Republicans talk about unprecedented investments, but our Dem-NPL caucus knows we need to do more. We have to do more.”

Senator John Grabinger (Jamestown), a local business owner, commented on the need to focus on growing and supporting local businesses in North Dakota, saying, “Republicans brag about unprecedented tax cuts for businesses in North Dakota. What they won’t tell you is that over 80% of those tax cuts went to out of state corporations that probably won’t even notice the cut. But just imagine if that focus was instead shifted to supporting and helping grow locally owned and operated businesses right here in North Dakota? Those are the kinds of investments that keep our great state moving in the right direction.”

Representative Kylie Oversen (Grand Forks) discussed the importance of affordable higher education, saying “We have the opportunity to not only provide a top-tier college education to students in North Dakota, but also an affordable college education. Our Dem-NPL legislators worked to create a scholarship program utilizing our abundant Legacy Fund, and Republicans shot it down. That is unacceptable, and we are determined to do better for the future leaders of our state.”

Following the round table discussion, Dem-NPL legislators received a tour of Agri-Cover.

Heckaman says, “Local business is important to our communities and our state. As legislators, we need to do everything possible to support the growth and support of these local establishments.”