Thompson questions Goehring’s priorities following open records request into agriculture commissioner’s schedule
From WDAY:
North Dakota agriculture commissioner candidate Vern Thompson is questioning incumbent Doug Goehring’s priorities after obtaining records of the commissioner’s work schedule, which Thompson says show relatively few individual meetings with farmers compared to meetings with lobbyists and industry representatives.
During a news conference Monday, October 12, Thompson, a former farmer, trucker and state legislator, outlined the results of an open records request examining Goehring’s official activities.
Thompson said the request was prompted by conversations with farmers struggling through what he described as the worst agricultural crisis in 40 years.
“As I’ve traveled 30,000 miles across the state this year folks shared their frustrations with me. The state is not treating them with respect,” Thompson said.
Thompson said farmers have repeatedly asked him what Goehring is doing to address their concerns.
“During the worst farm crisis since the 80s, farmers have been asking me in my travels, Where’s Doug?” Thompson said.
