The Fargo City Commission will support the concept of creating a Human Rights Commission in North Dakota.
City commissioners voted 3-2 Monday night in favor of the idea, although they hadn't reviewed actual proposed legislation.
Commissioners John Cosgriff and Rob Lynch voted against writing a letter of support.
"I'm just not comfortable doing this right now," Lynch said. "I don't have enough background."
Cosgriff, too, said he would like to see the drafted legislation before giving his stamp of approval.
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The state Department of Labor currently hears and adjudicates all discrimination complaints related to housing, employment and human rights.
However, the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is hoping legislators will agree this year to create a separate commission to assist the Labor Department, which the coalition says is not meeting the needs of North Dakota citizens.
The Fargo Human Relations Commission voted unanimously Jan. 8 to stand behind the coalition in its quest to establish a statewide Human Relations Commission.
In other business, commissioners voted to increase the Metro Area Transit pre-paid token/ticket fare for adult and college students from
90 cents to $1.
The cost of adult monthly passes also would increase, from $32 to $35, and the cost for monthly elderly, disabled and youth passes would go from $20 to $23.
Weekly passes also will become effective when new electronic fare boxes are installed in the next few months. The cost for adults per week will be $10 and $7 for elderly, disabled and youth riders. All cash fares will remain the same.
The changes are contingent upon approval tonight by the Moorhead City Council.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter
Mary Jo Almquist at (701) 241-5531
