Jamestown, ND  (KCSi-T.V. News Mar 2, 2013)  —  The Jamestown Area Chamber hel the District 12 & 29 Legislative Forum, Saturday morning at Jamestown City Hall.  Replay on CSi TV 67.

District 29 State Senator Terry Wanzek was unable to attend, because of a prior family commitment.

On hand were from District 29, (R) House member Craig Headland, (R) House member Chet Pollert.

From District 12, (D) Senator John Grabinger, and House members (D) Jessica Haak and (R) Alex Looysen.

Topics include property and income tax relief, siffer DUI laws,  changes in the state’s concealed weapons laws, and abortion bills.

Headland and Looysen support the house bill on concealed weapons, with Haak supporting a church’s decision, while opposed to a school district meeting in Executive Session to plan for changes.

With corporate tax reductions, Rep. Haak said the cuts would affect 10 out of state corporations, while Rep. Pollert said the state has a positive tax structure, noting the expansion of Titan Machinery in Jamestown, and John Deere Seeding in Valley City.

With stiffer DUI laws, with the house bill, Rep. Pollert said the issue is societal , while Sen. Grabinger said he wants to see more on providing counseling to those convicted of drunk driving.

On abortion bills in the house and senate, Rep. Haak said some provisions would punish a doctor for performing abortions, and each legislator broke down the provisions of the bills concerning sex selection, and disability, and the so-called heartbeat bill, and noted their support or opposition.

Looking ahead to bills that have crossed over, in the upcoming second half of the 2013 legislature, Rep. Headland said lawmakers will continue to work on individual and corporate income tax cuts.

Rep. Pollert said issues will concern funding for the James River Correctional Center, along local public health funding, veterans issues, and road funding.

In closing Sen. Grabinger explained that he voted against the senate bill which provided additional funding for rural water districts, and signed by the Governor.  His opposition stemmed from supporting the City of Jamestown and opposing the expansion of Stutsman Rural Water District, in that, expansion of  rural water hinders the expansion of Jamestown into rural areas,

The two hour forum was shown live on CSi Cable 67, and followed by replays.