Committee Still at Impasse on North Dakota Ethics Commission Vacancies

Commissioners Murray Sagsveen, left, and Ronald Goodman, right. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – The state officials responsible for selecting the next three members of the North Dakota Ethics Commission remained deadlocked.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong remains steadfast in his refusal to reappoint incumbent Murray Sagsveen. Sens. David Hogue, R-Minot, and Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, adamantly maintain he should be one of the three appointees to minimize turnover on the board.

“The learning curve for new people on this commission is probably two to three years because it’s a very complex commission,” Hogan said. “I’m concerned about continuity, and that’s part of the reason why I’m hesitant to replace Mr. Sagsveen.”

Hogue and Armstrong believe the Ethics Commission has been trespassing upon executive branch authority and that needs to be addressed. But they differ on whether Sagsveen can be part of the solution.