North Dakota

Letter: A tax cut that fueled North Dakota’s Main Street

Published

7 months ago

October 14, 2025

Letter: A tax cut that fueled North Dakota’s Main Street

North Dakota has long been defined by its resilience and economic self-sufficiency, thanks to the vast network of small businesses. From the family farms to the local oil service companies, small businesses are the true economic engines of the state. A new law that cemented permanency of the 20% Small Business Deduction and other pro- small business tax relief is a critical victory for the heart of North Dakota’s economy, and it is a testament to the advocacy of leaders like Rep. Julie Fedorchak and Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer.

Of North Dakota businesses, 98.8% are small businesses. They employ over 57% of our state’s workforce, providing the jobs and services that sustain our communities. Many of these businesses are pass-through entities, where the profits of the business are taxed as personal income for the owner. Before Congress’ action, a massive tax hike loomed for over 33 million small business owners at the end of 2025. Making the 20% deduction permanent eliminated this threat, providing long-term certainty and stability for North Dakotan business owners.

Making this deduction permanent has been NFIB’s top federal legislative priority for nearly a decade. A study by EY shows exactly why this deduction is so critical for small businesses and the economy. The study found that the deduction will increase North Dakota’s economic activity by $226 million annually, resulting in the creation of 4,000 jobs each year.

This tax relief extends far beyond a single deduction. The legislation also made permanent marginal tax rate cuts first passed in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, preventing what could have been up to a 4% tax increase. Lower marginal rates free up business income that can be used for hiring, wages and benefits, expanding operations, and upgrading equipment.

Additionally, the tax law provides relief through other vital pro-small business provisions. The increases to the Section 179 expensing cap and Section 168(k) bonus depreciation are particularly significant for a state like North Dakota. Our economy relies heavily on capital-intensive industries like agriculture and energy. For a farmer needing to purchase a new combine or an oil company buying a drilling rig, these expensing provisions allow them to deduct the cost of major purchases.

The new law also addresses the burdensome administrative side of business. By increasing reporting thresholds for forms 1099-K, 1099-NEC, and 1099-MISC small businesses gain much-needed relief from time-consuming paperwork related to independent contractors or digital payment systems. This reduces the time and resources small business owners must spend on compliance, allowing them to focus on growing their business and investing in their communities.

In the end, this law is more than a collection of tax code changes – it’s a pro-small business vote in support of North Dakota’s entrepreneurial spirit. For a state where self- reliance is a point of pride, providing tax certainty and reducing regulatory burdens is the most meaningful support a legislator can offer.

Fedorchak’s experience and dedication to these issues ensure that North Dakota’s small business community will have a voice that truly understands its needs, securing a prosperous future for our Main Streets for years to come.

North Dakota small businesses are grateful for the leadership of Fedorchak, Hoeven and Cramer. NFIB looks forward to building on this massive victory to make it easier for small businesses to grow and flourish.

Don Larson is the North Dakota state director for the National Federation of Independent Business.

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North Dakota

Guard Soldiers respond to shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner

Published

20 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Press Room

Guard Soldiers respond to shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner

U.S. Soldiers with the Nebraska and North Dakota National Guards, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, pose for a group photo at a hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, April 28, 2026. About 2,500 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters and visitors throughout the District.
(Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Norris)

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Soldiers with the North Dakota, Arkansas and Nebraska Army National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, responded to a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner (WHCAD) at the Washington Hilton in Northwest Washington April 25.

The Guardsmen were at the WHCAD at the request of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) as an additional patrol unit created specifically for the event, which celebrates the contributions of news organizations and independent journalists alike who provide notable coverage of the presidential administration.

“Our mission was to assist the U.S. Secret Service with crowd control,” said Capt. Kevin Peatrowsky, an operations officer with the Nebraska National Guard (NENG) assigned to JTF-DC.

As the Guardsmen were monitoring their area of operations, they saw USSS agents sprint toward the hotel entrance. “They were running full speed with their weapons drawn,” said Sgt. 1st. Class Allen Haney, a team member with the Arkansas National Guard. “We immediately followed suit.”

Staff Sgt. Kristen Confer, a NENG combat medic and battle captain, recalled her response to the incident: “We fell back on our basic training. You run toward danger and move in a way that makes sense for the situation.”

According to Confer, the Guardsmen entered the hotel and immediately began securing the scene and ensuring that the guests evacuated safely. At the direction of a federal agent, Confer began a rapid trauma assessment on the suspect, which resulted in finding knives and ammunition on the shooter. Simultaneously, the Arkansas Soldiers moved outside to provide crowd control at a pedestrian barricade outside the hotel.

“From there, we assisted wherever we could,” said 2nd Lt. Caleb Hill, a National Guardsman from North Dakota who served as the officer in charge of the mission. “We were initially helping with crowd control. After that, we realized that the USSS had begun rerouting everyone in the hotel, so we moved to the doors. We were controlling entry into the venue, so we had moved a couple more people outside, so we had 5 inside, 8 outside.” Both Arkansas and Nebraska worked well alongside one another and alongside the federal agencies. Hill also noted that relying on his Soldiers allowed him to move among teams, which helped him plan and coordinate with various agencies.

According to 1st Lt. Jonathan Goins, a platoon leader with the Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas Soldiers also helped establish a security perimeter for the presidential motorcade’s staging. Later, the team assisted federal agencies and MPD with crowd control, which helped clear the way for the President and Administration officials, he said.

“Guardsmen on this mission represent the very best of the nation,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard II, the interim commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard. “The world got a brief glimpse, but I see them each day serving and doing amazing things across the District.”

North Dakota

North Dakota Congressional delegation reacts to King Charles visit, speech

Published

12 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Press Room

North Dakota Congressional delegation reacts to King Charles visit, speech

WASHINGTON (KMOT) – Members of North Dakota’s Congressional delegation shared their responses to King Charles’ visit to the United States this week, and his speech before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-ND, provided the following statement:

“Welcoming King Charles III to a joint session of the Congress was a historic moment and a real time to reflect on the relationship between our two nation’s dating back more than 250 years. His speech was funny, touching, and quite inspiring as he discussed the many positive outcomes of the alliance between the US and the UK.”

Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, provided the following statement:

“King Charles’ visit to the U.S. and his address to Congress celebrate the enduring friendship between our two nations. In particular, I welcomed his focus on our shared values and traditions and our nations’ rich histories, which bind us closely together. As we face increased threats from our adversaries, this is a tremendous opportunity to reaffirm our continued relationship as allies and our commitment to defending our people and our way of life.”

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, provided the following statement:

“To hear King Charles III address Congress while I’m a member of it is really special for me. I can’t help but think about myself, a 14th generation American with three ancestors actually on the Mayflower, the ‘original rebels’ if you will. It is moments like this that remind us the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom transcends history and it maintains relevance today. The King, like the President at the White House, talked about values that the President said was handed down to Americans from our family from Great Britain: freedom, democracy, the rule of law. It’s remarkable when you think about the timing of this visit and this speech. Here we are as we celebrate 250 years of American independence from Great Britain, and it shows us how far we’ve come. Two countries who were once on opposite sides of a war, as well as an ocean, are now among the closest allies in the world.

“From the White House ceremony to today’s address before Congress, the whole visit really puts this important, geopolitical, family partnership on full display for the world to see. I was grateful to witness history and to be part of welcoming Their Majesties.”

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North Dakota

North Dakota State Lands Tight End Commit With NFL Tie

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2026

Press Room

North Dakota State Lands Tight End Commit With NFL Tie

Getty

Another Watertown, South Dakota, standout hopes to follow in Spencer Waege’s footsteps.

North Dakota State added a tight end to the 2027 recruiting class on Monday, as the program’s first FBS recruiting class continues to fill out.

Watertown, South Dakota, standout Hunter Peterson announced his commitment to the Bison on Monday via social media. A 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior, Peterson tallied 28 catches for 365 yards and five touchdowns last season.

“Committed,” Peterson posted on X with a graphic that featured the Bison and his high school.

Before his junior season, Peterson worked with former Watertown and Bison standout Spencer Waege, who had a brief career in the NFL as a defensive end. Waege played for the Bison from 2017 to 2022 before he entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. He joined the Green Bay Packers in 2024 and participated in training camp and the preseason.

“He’s a big deal,” Peterson told InForum’s Dom Izzo on April 15 before his official social media announcement. “I got to work with him a little in my sophomore year when he was training for the NFL still, and I would talk to him a lot, and he kept always asking ‘hey, when are you going to commit?’”

Peterson also had an offer from Air Force, which also plays in the Mountain West Conference. The Bison will play their first season in the Mountain West this year and open conference play with Air Force.

“Ever since I’ve gone up there, I just felt like it’s been a fit every time,” Peterson told Izzo. “I love the coaches, facilities, and like the competitiveness they had. I think their mindset and approach is like pretty similar to mine.”

The All-State standout played both tight end and defensive end for the Arrows last season. He tallied 34 tackles on defense, as he helped his team reach the Class 11AA state quarterfinals amid a 5-5 record.

NDSU Has Produced NFL Tight Ends Before

NDSU has enjoyed success in developing tight ends who can reach the pros.

Ben Ellefson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. He also played for the Minnesota Vikings between 2021 and 2022 before he joined the offensive staff. Ellefson won three FCS titles with the Bison between 2015 and 2019.

Noah Gindorff made it as an undrafted free agent in 2023, and he played briefly for the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers. Gindorff played for the Bison from 2017 to 2022 and won four FCS championships.

Josh Babicz played for the Bison between 2017 and 2021 with three FCS titles before he tried his hand at the NFL. He first signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2022, and he also spent time in the Green Bay Packers practice squad that year and in 2023.

How NDSU’s Tight End Room Looks Going Into 2026

Tight end has been a critical part of the NDSU offense over the years, NDSU will look to build the tight end room in Year One as an FBS program.

Last season, Reis Kessel was the go-to tight end in the passing game with 15 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown as a freshman. The Bison also have upperclassmen tight ends such as senior Luke Kokat, who played a major blocking role in 13 games last season. Fellow senior Kaden Zenzen also played in 13 games last year and had two starts.

Junior tight end Abraham Myers appeared in three games last year after he moved from defensive end. Younger tight ends in the room include sophomore Jett Zabel, who played in nine games last season, and redshirt freshman Gabriel Cunningham, who played one game last year.

Matthew Davis covers the NFL, WNBA and college sports for Heavy.com. As a contributing writer to the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. More about Matthew Davis

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