Two big legislative events were recently completed on the electric cooperative calendar, both critical to the members we serve.
One is a short, jam-packed sprint. The other is a longer, persistent test of endurance, a marathon.
Now, those who know me are chuckling at my use of a running analogy, but why stop now?
On your mark, get set, go!
To close out April, North Dakotans were among 2,000 cooperative leaders who joined forces in our nation’s capital to conduct hundreds of meetings. They engaged members of Congress and the Trump administration, urging action be taken to help meet the growing demand for electricity. Within 72 hours, they advocated for smart-energy policies and explained the challenges facing the nearly 900 electric cooperatives serving nearly 42 million people and more than 22 million businesses, homes, schools and farms in 48 states.
Upon returning from the race in Washington, D.C., North Dakota’s 69th Legislative Assembly was entering its final stretch. Of the 1,086 bills introduced this session, 597 were signed into law by the governor. (Read about electric cooperative priorities this session on page 18.) In North Dakota, every bill introduced gets a hearing and a vote.
That’s a lot of laps!
We are fortunate to have an accessible legislative system in North Dakota. We have a citizen Legislature. Our lawmakers don’t have individual staffers or an office – they have a desk and are approachable throughout the Capitol. Technology has enhanced accessibility even more, enabling virtual attendance, live feeds and recorded hearings and floor sessions.
But even the most engaged, politically astute citizen would find sorting through and monitoring all the bills introduced this session to be an Achilles heel.
A lot happens every day in government, both on a state and national level, which is why associations like ours, the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, are critical in the political arena. That includes lobbyists.
Unfortunately, some bad actors have given the lobbyist job a bad rap. The role of a lobbyist, however, is important, and those I’ve met are good folks who care about the organizations and people they represent. Lobbyists maintain a constant presence when others cannot.
I can’t speak for other groups, but I can say how proud we are and thankful for ours, for doing important work on behalf of electric cooperatives and the members they serve.
The key to our success is a team approach. Whether it’s showing up in Bismarck, or on the hill in D.C., or engaging from back home, our folks understand the stakes and the challenges they face. They frequently ask questions. They hold policymakers accountable when needed. And they show up. That is what gets us across the finish line.
Together, we can win any race.
___
Josh Kramer, editor-in-chief of North Dakota Living, is executive vice president and general manager of NDAREC. Contact him at jkramer@ndarec.com.
