Port: Ethics Commission member continues participating in meetings despite term limit

MINOT — In the standoff over new appointments to the North Dakota Ethics Commission, Gov. Kelly Armstrong's argument for not reappointing Murray Sagsveen, whose term expired earlier this year, is that under his leadership the Ethics Commission has consistently exceeded its constitutional bounds.

The fact that Sagsveen continues to participate in Ethics Commission meetings, making motions and casting votes, is proof the governor has a legitimate gripe.

Until earlier this month there were three vacancies on the Ethics Commission. The state constitution obliges Armstrong, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan to fill those vacancies. They've chosen one appointee so far — former Office of Management and Budget director Pam Sharp — but have yet to act on