On June 11, North Dakotans voted overwhelmingly to protect their privacy. But the fight for privacy is not over. Already banking proponents are drafting legislation that would override the June 11th vote and put North Dakota back under the federal Gramm-Leech-Bliley law.
In order to prevent that, voters need to be careful that they do not vote for a candidate who has already betrayed their privacy by voting for SB2191.
The incumbents in the Fargo area who voted for SB2191 are: District 11: Mary Eckstrom, District 13: Judy Lee, District 21: Carolyn Nelson and Rachael Disrud, District 41: Tony Grindberg, Al Carlson and Bette Grande and District 45: Deb Mathern, Rick Berg and LeRoy Bernstein. Although Scot Kelsh initially voted for SB2191, he soon realized it was the wrong vote and worked hard to see the bill repealed. This shows a character and courage that was lacking in too many other legislators.
Of particular concern is District 45. Since Deb Mathern works for a credit union, her vote for passage of SB2191 was clearly a conflict of interest. Both Mathern and Rick Berg campaigned vigorously for Measure 2. They not only voted for a bill that gutted our privacy protections, (showing a lack of judgment) but actively worked against the repeal of that bill (showing contempt for their constituents' interests).
Voters need to ask themselves if they can trust these incumbents to represent their interests in the next session when the banks again lobby to strip us of our privacy. On Nov. 5, vote again to protect your privacy.
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Charlene Nelson
Co-chairman, Protect Our Privacy
Casselton, N.D.
