Here it is.
Forum editorial: Anti-hunter bill insults rural N.D.
The Forum - 02/23/2003
When rural North Dakotans complain they are being marginalized by their urban brethren, they have only to look to last week's action in the state Senate for evidence.
A coalition of mostly urban senators - and mostly Republican senators - voted against the economic interests of rural North Dakota by approving restrictions on nonresident waterfowl hunters. The flawed "hunter pressure concept" cleared the Senate 26-20 despite the passionate pleas from rural senators to turn back the legislation.
Especially embarrassing was the conduct of Cass County senators, all but one of whom voted as a bloc against rural North Dakota. Lending credence to the historic pejorative "imperial Cass" were: Sens. Tom Fischer, Tim Flakoll, Tim Mathern, Richard Brown, Carolyn Nelson and John Syverson, all of Fargo; Judy Lee of West Fargo and Gary Lee of Casselton. All but Mathern and Nelson are Republicans. (Sen. Tony Grindberg, R-Fargo, did not vote.)
The imperial Cass crew was joined by several other city senators, including Ben Tollefson, R-Minot; Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck; Larry Robinson, D-Valley City; Mike Polovitz, D-Grand Forks; David Nething, R-Jamestown; Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, and Dick Dever, R-Bismarck. The vote accomplished two things, neither of which is good for North Dakota. First, it showed that when urban North Dakota chooses to stick it in the eye of rural North Dakota, the city forces can do just that. Second, the Senate endorsed a hunter pressure concept that is ready-made for manipulation and political interpretation because it's purposefully complicated and ambiguous.
The legislation now goes to the House, where it should be dispatched to the dustbin. If, however, the House majority is rolled as easily as were the senators, then Gov. John Hoeven should veto the bill.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board
Forum editorial: Anti-hunter bill insults rural N.D.
The Forum - 02/23/2003
When rural North Dakotans complain they are being marginalized by their urban brethren, they have only to look to last week's action in the state Senate for evidence.
A coalition of mostly urban senators - and mostly Republican senators - voted against the economic interests of rural North Dakota by approving restrictions on nonresident waterfowl hunters. The flawed "hunter pressure concept" cleared the Senate 26-20 despite the passionate pleas from rural senators to turn back the legislation.
Especially embarrassing was the conduct of Cass County senators, all but one of whom voted as a bloc against rural North Dakota. Lending credence to the historic pejorative "imperial Cass" were: Sens. Tom Fischer, Tim Flakoll, Tim Mathern, Richard Brown, Carolyn Nelson and John Syverson, all of Fargo; Judy Lee of West Fargo and Gary Lee of Casselton. All but Mathern and Nelson are Republicans. (Sen. Tony Grindberg, R-Fargo, did not vote.)
The imperial Cass crew was joined by several other city senators, including Ben Tollefson, R-Minot; Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck; Larry Robinson, D-Valley City; Mike Polovitz, D-Grand Forks; David Nething, R-Jamestown; Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, and Dick Dever, R-Bismarck. The vote accomplished two things, neither of which is good for North Dakota. First, it showed that when urban North Dakota chooses to stick it in the eye of rural North Dakota, the city forces can do just that. Second, the Senate endorsed a hunter pressure concept that is ready-made for manipulation and political interpretation because it's purposefully complicated and ambiguous.
The legislation now goes to the House, where it should be dispatched to the dustbin. If, however, the House majority is rolled as easily as were the senators, then Gov. John Hoeven should veto the bill.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board
