Elaine Little, who will retire as director of the Department of Corrections on July 1, said she is pondering a job offer in another state.

Little would not say what type of job she has been offered, but she said one factor in her decision will be whether or not she wants to move.

"I'm not sure if I want to leave the state," Little said.

She said she retired because she wants to do something different.

Little has worked in state government since 1975, first as a fiscal analyst for the Legislative Council. In 1983, she was named fiscal director for the Director of Institutions Office, and she was appointed director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 1989.

She announced her retirement on May 31.

Leann Bertsch, who is director of the Labor Department, will replace Little.

Bertsch said she knew about the job about a week before the decision was made public.

Although the Department of Labor is a much smaller agency than the Department of Corrections, Bertsch said the experience she gained there will help her in her new job.

"My time at the Department of Labor has been well-spent and useful," Bertsch said.

Bertsch was appointed labor commissioner on Sept. 1.

Before that time, she had been an assistant Burleigh County state's attorney since 1996, and she worked as a staff attorney for Legal Assistance of North Dakota Inc. between 1992 and 1996.

Bertsch said she wasn't looking for a new job when she took the position of labor commissioner, but she didn't want to pass up the opportunity.

"Change is always good for people," Bertsch said.

She didn't want to pass up the opportunity to become director of the Department of Corrections, either.

Bertsch said she has enjoyed her time as labor commissioner, but she missed working in the criminal justice system.

Although Bertsch has climbed the ranks of state government quickly, she said she doesn't have any grand plans for seeking a higher office.

"I will never predict anything in my career path," Bertsch said.

Campaign announcements unlikely

Jason Stverak, director of the North Dakota Republican Party, said not to expect any campaign announcements at the party's annual Round Up meeting this weekend.

Highlights of the meeting, held this Friday and Saturday, will include training sessions and elections of the party's executive committee.

Even though candidates already have been announcing campaigns in Minnesota, Stverak said he doesn't expect campaign announcements soon.

"We're always a little different here," Stverak said.

The major races coming up in 2006 are seats in the U.S. House and Senate, state tax commissioner, agriculture commissioner, secretary of state and the odd-numbered legislative districts.

Although it could be a while before Republicans announce their campaigns, Stverak said party officials already have been in discussion with several possible candidates for various positions.

Voting grants available

Secretary of State Al Jaeger recently announced the availability of Help America Vote Act grants for organizations interested in conducting voter education efforts for the 2006 election cycle.

HAVA Coordinator Danette Odenbach said the grants are available to a wide range of people and groups. She said organizations or agencies with a statewide or regional presence will be considered for grants up to $50,000.

If an organization requests more than $50,000, additional review would required.

Education grants will be available through Sept. 1 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

More information can be found at the state's HAVA Web site at http://www.discovernd.com/hava.

Hunger awareness

The Department of Human Services recently reported that 45,000 North Dakotans receive $3.8 million in help from the food stamp program each month.

In recognition of National Hunger Awareness Day, which was Tuesday, the department is encouraging people who need assistance buying food to contact their county social service office.

Department officials estimate that about 76 percent of eligible North Dakota households are actually receiving food stamp benefits.

Department Executive Director Carol K. Olson said that 40 percent of the adults participating in the food stamp program are working. Others are aged or disabled, and many need help temporarily.

The department's 2005-07 food stamp budget is $105.8 million in federal funds.

Individuals can determine if they might qualify for the food stamp program by using a calculator on the department's Web site at http://www.state.nd.us/humanservices/services/financialhelp/foodstamps.html.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@bismarcktribune.com.)