Local businessman Bryan Shinn on The Flag’s Steve Hallstrom Show
FARGO, N.D. – Local media personality and businessman Bryan Shinn appeared on The Steve Hallstrom Show on The Flag to voice strong opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would fund universal free school meals across North Dakota.
Shinn and host Steve Hallstrom clarified that while they fully support helping low-income families, they take issue with using state resources to subsidize meal costs for families who can afford them.
“I make enough money. I take care of my kids, and I am 100% for helping those that need it,” Shinn said, framing the universal proposal as “almost like a tax break for the wealthy.” He argued that wealthy families “didn’t ask for you to save us $2,000 to $3,000 a year… to feed our children,” emphasizing that “that money is better… to help those that need it.”
Dispute over campaign funding and accountability
During the interview, Shinn raised concerns about Together for School Meals North Dakota, alleging that the initiative relies on out-of-state funding and heavy marketing rather than true local effort.
“It’s not a grassroots effort coming from North Dakota citizens,” Shinn claimed, adding, “This just doesn’t—no common sense here.”
Shinn recounted registering for a recent weekend webinar organized by campaign leaders, including Robin Nelson, where he submitted eight detailed questions beforehand. Upon logging in early while the host’s screen was split, Shinn overheard organizers talking casually before realizing the session was live.
According to Shinn, organizers asked, “Did we get that troll blocked?” before asking, “I don’t know if Bryan Shinn registered for this.” Shinn recalled thinking, “I about fell out of my chair because I’m like, ‘That’s me. They’re calling me a troll.'”
After Shinn clicked the chat button to communicate, organizers realized he was listening and promptly ejected him.
“Like 10 seconds later, I got this thing said I had been removed from the webinar by the host,” Shinn said, noting he took a screenshot of the notification. Hallstrom summarized the dynamic by stating, “They want open discussion… as long as it’s friendly, but when the tough questions come their way… you get blocked.”
Flag Family News has reached out to the Together for School Meals North Dakota organization for comment, but as of the time of this publication, no response has been received.
Shinn later posted a concert-style flyer meme online summarizing the incident and calling for an open debate. Both Shinn and Hallstrom noted that campaign representatives have not accepted invitations to debate on air, with Shinn remarking, “I’ve asked them to get online and debate me, and crickets… Nothing.”
Policy concerns and financial projections
Opponents of the initiative point to several policy and fiscal issues:
- Constitutional lock-in: Shinn questioned why the policy needs to be permanently embedded in the state constitution. “Why not see how it goes for a year or two before putting it in the state constitution?” he asked.
- Fiscal burden: Criticizing projected state spending of 65 million, Shinn warned costs could reach “90, 95, 100 million in just a few years.” He pointed to neighboring Minnesota, where universal meals ran “46%—over $200 million—over what they projected.”
- Unaddressed Gaps: Shinn highlighted that school meal programs cover only 175 school days a year, asking, “What about the other 190 days? … How do you suggest we feed the children that need it then if you spent the resources on those that don’t?”
- Ideological Push: Warning against growing government dependency, Shinn stated, “I really think this is just one foot in the door for communism,” cautioning that children will grow up “thinking that they’re always entitled to free food.”
Closing the segment, Shinn urged voters to reject the measure at the ballot box.
“I’m here to try to get the word out for common sense and stop taking resources away from those that need it and giving it to those that don’t,” Shinn concluded. “This is not rocket science, people. It’s just common sense.”
