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"BadAss Grandmas" Pushed for an Ethics Commission. Then the North Dakota Legislature Limited Its Power.

The article from ProPublica discusses the North Dakota Ethics Commission's struggle with legislative restrictions that limit its ability to effectively oversee and enforce ethics laws. Despite being established to enhance government transparency and accountability, the commission faces significant hurdles due to laws passed by the state legislature that restrict its powers. These restrictions include limitations on subpoena power, the inability to investigate anonymous complaints, and constraints on the types of violations it can address. The commission has been unable to take action in several high-profile cases due to these limitations, leading to public and internal frustration. Critics argue that these legislative moves are designed to protect politicians from scrutiny, while supporters of the restrictions claim they prevent overreach by the commission. The ongoing tension highlights a broader debate about the balance between government oversight and legislative autonomy in North Dakota.

Read the Full ProPublica Article at:
[ https://www.propublica.org/article/north-dakota-ethics-commission-legislature-restrictions ]