http://www.policynd.org/index.php? North Dakota Policy Council Blogs en brenarlo@policynd.org Copyright 2010 2010-09-01T16:36:44+00:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_in_plains_daily_policy_guide_and_free_market_forum/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_in_plains_daily_policy_guide_and_free_market_forum/#When:11:36:44Z The NDPC's executive director, Brett Narloch, was recently quoted in the Plains Daily about Moving Forward. The article also mentioned our upcoming Free Market Forum. (Get your tickets now!) Click HERE to read the article. Federalism 2010-09-01T11:36:44-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/legislative_spending_report_in_the_media/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/legislative_spending_report_in_the_media/#When:09:57:09Z The NDPC's Legislative Spending Report was recently featured on KXMB. Click HERE to read the article and watch the video. Budget & Spending 2010-08-09T09:57:09-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/property_tax_forum_-_williston/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/property_tax_forum_-_williston/#When:12:05:22Z Here is the Williston's Herald's coverage of the NDPC's property tax forum which was held on July 22, 2010. North Dakota Policy Council Executive Director Brett Narloch summed up their attitude to a crowd of nearly 30 at the Airport International Inn. "Something needs to be done about property taxes. They keep going up and up and up. Spending keeps going up and up and up. Something's got to give," said Narloch. Taxes 2010-07-23T12:05:22-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_on_kfyr_property_taxes/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_on_kfyr_property_taxes/#When:11:07:38Z I was on KFYR-TV yesterday talking about our recently released study that examined what might happen to North Dakota's economy without property taxes. The story was balanced; however, a League of Cities representative make the comment that there won't always be surpluses and the state's economy won't always be booming. She was right, but totally missed the point. According to our recent report, the state could replace property tax revenue dollar for dollar without raising any taxes and without raiding any surpluses, rainy day funds, or the Permanent Oil Trust Fund. Taxes 2010-07-23T11:07:38-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_in_bismarck_tribune_property_taxes/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_in_bismarck_tribune_property_taxes/#When:13:57:50Z I was in the Bismarck Tribune today in an article about our recently released property tax study. Read the article HERE. One thing that stuck out to me from the article was ND Tax Commissioner Cory Fong's statement that if property taxes were eliminated the state would have to make up $870 million. A quick look at Tax Dept statistics show that in 2009 the North Dakotans paid about $693 million in property taxes. I'm not sure where he got $870 million. Read the article and then read our response. Taxes 2010-07-21T13:57:50-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/cap_trade_coming_back/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/cap_trade_coming_back/#When:11:45:32Z According to Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk, cap and trade legislation is being put together behind closed doors in Washington. The following is a snippet of what he wrote: The Associated Press reported on June 29 that President Obama is working with several senators to “quietly draft” a version of cap-and-grade deemed “utility-only.” They have been trying for 18 months to force a bill to destroy our fossil fuel industry. The people of the United States and North Dakota are against such a bill. This has not stopped the president and his allies. The worst oil spill in history is wrecking havoc on our country. In true Chicago style, instead of focusing on stopping the leak and cleaning up the mess, it is being used to push another version of cap-and-trade. In January, the NDPC release "Cap and Trade & North Dakota's Economic Future," a study that examines what effects cap and trade might have on North Dakota's economy. I encourage everyone to re-read this important study. You can do so by clicking HERE. Energy & Environment 2010-07-12T11:45:32-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_executive_eliminating_property_taxes_is_a_serious_proposal/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_executive_eliminating_property_taxes_is_a_serious_proposal/#When:10:06:18Z Eliminating property taxes has its problems. The centralization of tax collections is one. Other problems include the possibility that the legislature might see an opportunity to raise state taxes by using its need to fund local governments as an excuse. Those problems notwithstanding, the idea of eliminating property taxes should be taken seriously. Everyone recognizes the need to reform the system, but very few concrete proposals have been put forth. The North Dakota Policy Council will continue to study the issue and inform citizens about what might happen to North Dakota's economy if the measure gets on the ballot and passes. Taxes 2010-07-06T10:06:18-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_to_blame_for_messy_downtown/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_to_blame_for_messy_downtown/#When:10:40:37Z NDPC's TIF lawsuit is raising questions about who should clean up the sidewalks in downtown Bismarck. "(Jeff Heintz/City of Bismarck, Director of Service Operations) Its just like anybody elses front yard or front of their business place. Those businesses are going to have to clean their own sidewalks off and keep it cleaned off. For the last probably 18-20 years the city has been cleaning it. It is kind of like your mom has been making your bed for 18 years and now mo doesnt make your bed anymore. So, you either got to look at your messy bed or make it yourself. So people are going to have to keep that clean themselves until this lawsuit is either finalized or taken care of." You can read/watch the full story by clicking HERE If you would like to learn more about our TIF Lawsuit click HERE Litigation 2010-06-29T10:40:37-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_on_wdaz_news_in_grand_forks_property_taxes/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_on_wdaz_news_in_grand_forks_property_taxes/#When:10:20:48Z NDPC Executive Director Brett Narloch was quoted on WDAZ News: "It's the biggest issue on the minds of voters in North Dakota as far as state and local politics goes." said NDPC executive director Brett Narloch. "People know that something is wrong and they want the problem fixed. It's really easy when we say how can we best facilitate a discussion about issues of importance and property taxes is right at the top and we thought meetings like these would be a great way to do it." Taxes 2010-06-29T10:20:48-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_president_economic_development_is_unconstitutional/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/ndpc_president_economic_development_is_unconstitutional/#When:10:25:03Z NDPC President Curly Haugland recently had a commentary published in the Bismarck Tribune. He made the point that government-run "economic development" is unconstitutional. Economic Development 2010-06-07T10:25:03-06:00