In many ways, Tyler York's path to candidacy for the North Dakota House of Representatives in Grand Forks-area District 43 is a classic one.
"I was active with voting. I would keep up with local and national events, politics, but I wasn't really super engaged," he said on this episode of Plain Talk. But then he became aware of a big shortfall in the Grand Forks School District's budget. York, who is a musician and works at a music store, was worried about cuts to the arts programs. So he decided to get involved, and felt the best way, for him, is in Bismarck.
"After learning Zac wasn't running again, I guess I thought, 'If not me, who?'" he said, referring to District 43 incumbent Rep. Zac Ista, who isn't seeking re-election.
One of the biggest issues York is concerned with are property taxes, which he'd like to consider loosening the state's 3% cap on local governments, and childcare. The state is grappling with a funding shortfall in a childcare assistance program that has resulted in a big waitlist for services. York said that more needs to be done to help families, but also recognized that a government program is a stopgap.
"You can't just solve problems by continually throwing money at it," he said. "That's treating the symptom, not the root cause."
He also discussed his approach to getting things done as a Democrat in a deeply Republican state. "I think as long as you create the rapport, get to know the people who you are serving with, let them know that 'Hey, I know you're here for the right reasons, we just disagree on some of the implementations or some of the policies,'" he said. "And I think if you can form those relationships, people become a little more like, 'Hey, I can work with Tyler.'"
Also on this episode, co-host Chad Oban and I discuss the debate over Measure 1. It's a constitutional amendment to require that future amendments placed on the ballot get at least 60% of the vote to become law. Gov. Kelly Armstrong has deployed some political resources to push for passing the measure, while a D.C.-based group is putting big money into opposing it.
That competition could come out of nowhere to become the most expensive race in the state this cycle.
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