Doug Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota, is making waves this week as he signs an ethics agreement to divest from oil and gas interests he holds in Western North Dakota. It’s an action he notably avoided during his gubernatorial term, where as Chair of the Industrial Commission, he had regulatory oversight over them. As he stands on the brink of becoming the U.S. Interior Secretary, these steps are meant to prevent any conflicts of interest. It’s a striking reminder of the differences in ethics requirements between federal and state offices, especially as North Dakota prepares to address its own financial disclosure rules.
Amy Dalrymple with the North Dakota Monitor has the full story.