Dennis Ness, Minot
One should remember what happened during the last state legislative session.
Four of the bills passed directly benefitted state legislators. The first bill they passed in the session was a cost of living increase for themselves. They also voted themselves a pay raise. They also passed a bill which provided their selves better heath insurance coverage. They also passed a fourth bill which provided a government pension plan for themselves.
I am an Independent who votes for the best candidate whether they are an Independent, Republican or Democrat. The candidate who will vote on local and state issues best for the state as a whole receives my vote. The Republican Party held a super majority during this last session. They claim to want to lower taxes and have a smaller government. I believe their plan for accomplishing this is to reduce benefits and pensions of state residents while increasing theirs. Do you feel that you are overpaid with excessive benefits and pensions but pay too much in taxes? If so vote so the present super-majority party can continue its proven ways of themselves first.
Would this attitude have happened if there was a balanced congress of equal numbers of each party? I do not believe so, because in order for a bill to pass with a balanced legislature it has to be a good bill for the state not just for the benefit of some.