North Dakota

Looking Back: Why ‘Tampon Tax’ bill did not pass last year

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Looking Back: Why ‘Tampon Tax’ bill did not pass last year

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – For half of the world, menstruating is just a normal part of life. For others, it’s a political divide, and for some, it’s the worry in the back of their head that they won’t have the supplies they need to get through the week.

About a year ago, North Dakota state representatives voted on a bill sometimes referred to as the Tampon Tax. The bill proposed eliminating the sales tax attached to feminine sanitary products like tampons and pads.

Marty Boeckel testified during the hearing, speaking on behalf of the organization Days for Girls International in support of the bill.

“Girls and women and other menstruators— for them, this is a necessity. We cannot stop our periods, we cannot live without adequate products,” Boeckel said.

At 56 to 33 votes, the bill didn’t pass.

Boeckel said out of the approximate 372,000 women in North Dakota, about 174,000 of them menstruate.

The U.S. Census Bureau said as of 2022, 11.5 percent of North Dakotans live in poverty.

Boeckel said any women or girls in that number probably also struggle to get the period supplies they need.

At the time the bill was up for vote, a similar bill about making diapers tax-exempt was also up for vote.

Some representatives who voted on those bills spoke with KFYR about the bill.

“A lot of these tax reductions are just reducing in one sector, and then it just piles onto another sector, so it’s not really true tax relief,” Rep. Dick Anderson said.

Other representatives said it’s important to remember there was a separate tax relief conversation on the table during the same session.

“Trying to weight the pros and cons of it through that lens at the time, and I put more emphasis on the tax cut for all North Dakotans,” Rep. Jared Hagert said.

Representative Zachary Ista was one of the 33 representatives who voted for the bill to pass. He said the slippery slope argument is faulty since things we already exempt certain necessary products, like food, from sales tax.

“For about half the state of North Dakota, at some point in their lives, they’re going to need period products like tampons. It’s an absolute necessity for women in North Dakota, and it makes no sense to me that we would subject it to sales tax when we carve out sales tax for other things,” Rep. Zachary Ista said.

The diaper bill that was voted on during the same session passed at 88 to 6.

A 45-count box of Kotex tampons at Walmart costs nearly $10 right now before the 70 cents in sales tax. A 44-count box of diapers there costs nearly $10 with no sales tax.

You can find more information about donating to Days for Girls on either their website or their Facebook page.

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North Dakota

North Dakota Democratic-NPL announces 2026 state convention plans

Published

11 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Press Room

North Dakota Democratic-NPL announces 2026 state convention plans

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO/KVRR) — The North Dakota Democratic-NPL will hold its state convention in Bismarck on Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8, 2026.

They say all official business will take place on Saturday, March 7.

Delegates to the state convention are elected at their legislative district conventions.

If a district does not fill its slate, it may allow the district chair to appoint the remaining delegates.

“At a moment when division threatens progress, we come together – across generations, communities, and regions – to reaffirm that democracy works best when everyone has a voice and a stake in what comes next,” North Dakota Democratic-NPL Secretary and Convention Planning Chair Kari Breker said. “This convention is about leadership rooted in hope, action over cynicism, and unity as the engine of lasting change. Together, we are not just defending democracy – we are building a future worthy of the next generation.”

The North Dakota GOP State Convention is scheduled to be held in Minot from March 26 through March 29 at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds.

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North Dakota

JRMC recognized as top recommended hospital in North Dakota

Published

23 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Press Room

JRMC recognized as top recommended hospital in North Dakota

JAMESTOWN — Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC) has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of North Dakota’s top recommended hospitals, an honor shared only by the Fargo VA Medical Center. This recognition is based on patients’ responses to the question: “Would you recommend this hospital to your friends and family?”

Inclusion on the top recommended hospitals list reflects a five-star rating for patient recommendations. Ratings are determined through the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“This recognition by Becker’s reflects our continued focus on exceptional patient care, clear communication and strong partnerships between patients and care teams,” said Trisha Jungels, JRMC chief nursing officer. “At JRMC, trust is built through listening, compassion and clinical excellence, and this honor reflects the dedication of our teams every day.”

JRMC’s inclusion on this list, along with other recent national awards and recognitions — such as its Pathways of Excellence designation and multiple top critical access hospital recognitions — further distinguish the medical center as a regional and statewide leader in care.

To learn more about JRMC, visit

jrmcnd.com

or call (701) 952-1050.

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North Dakota

Make-A-Wish North Dakota unveils newly remodeled Wishing Place in Fargo

Published

1 day ago

January 13, 2026

Press Room

Make-A-Wish North Dakota unveils newly remodeled Wishing Place in Fargo

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Make-A-Wish North Dakota celebrated the grand reopening of its newly remodeled Wishing Place on Monday evening, January 12, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, donors, and volunteers.

The Fargo facility underwent renovations last summer to create a more child-focused, community-centric experience for families visiting the nonprofit organization.

“I want the Wishing Place to serve as a beacon of light for families and be something that they are proud of, and the community is proud of,” said Billi Jo Zielinski, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish North Dakota. “So, this is a place not only for kids to come in, explore, and dream and wish, but also for our volunteers to be trained and to be inspired.”

Wish alumna Emily Gard, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in 2003 and is now two years cancer-free, spoke at the event about the significance of the remodeled space.

“This remodeled space is where those life-changing moments take shape,” Gard said. “Every wish that will eventually be honored on the wall of stars represents a story that has been written and is waiting to unfold for a child.”

The invitation-only event was hosted for members of the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, Make-A-Wish North Dakota donors, and volunteers.

Since 1985, Make-A-Wish North Dakota has granted more than 1,150 wishes for children across the state. The organization’s vision is to grant every eligible child’s wish.

According to Make-A-Wish, wishes provide joy in the present, hope for the future, and the transformation that comes from daring to dream beyond the confines of a critical illness.

Families interested in learning more about eligibility for a wish, referring a child, or volunteering can visit wish.org/northdakota.

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