http://www.policynd.org/index.php? North Dakota Policy Council Blogs en brenarlo@policynd.org Copyright 2012 2012-03-07T15:19:03+00:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/internship_applications_available/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/internship_applications_available/#When:10:19:03Z Internship applications are available for the summer of 2012. Those who are interested can download the application HERE. Instructions, important deadlines, and expected activities are on the application. The North Dakota Policy Council is leading the state is educating the public about free markets and limited government. Join this fast-pace environment to further your own education, and help educate your friends and neighbors about the values of limited government. Apply today! Announcement 2012-03-07T10:19:03-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/npnha_management_plan_released/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/npnha_management_plan_released/#When:11:05:22Z The Northern Plains National Heritage Foundation has released their management plan for public inspection. If ultimately approved, the things listed in the plan are what the foundation would be doing in the designated area. Be sure to read it HERE and let us know if you find anything interesting. Property Rights 2012-02-22T11:05:22-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/north_dakotas_education_policy_grade_d/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/north_dakotas_education_policy_grade_d/#When:15:18:26Z The conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has given North Dakota’s K-12 education system a D+. The ranking is based on categories such as: state academic standards, charter schools, home school regulations, and teach quality. To fix our problems in K-12 education, the focus needs to move away from funding-focused toward results-focused. ALEC is an organization whose members are conservative state legislators from all 50 states. Education 2012-02-01T15:18:26-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/is_north_dakota_a_low-tax_state/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/is_north_dakota_a_low-tax_state/#When:15:05:20Z The non-partisan Tax Foundation released its 2012 State Business Tax Climate Index. It is released each year to “enable business leaders, government policymakers, and taxpayers to gauge how their states’ tax systems compare.” North Dakota’s ranking this year is 29th overall. The two areas that brought down our ranking are corporate tax rates (35th) and unemployment tax rates (31st). It’s worth noting that South Dakota (2nd) and Montana (8th) have a much more favorable tax climate than North Dakota, while Minnesota’s (45th) is much, much worse. What is hard for me to understand is that North Dakota continues to have a worse-than-average tax climate, record revenue, a Republican-controlled legislature, and a Republican governor. Tax policy isn't the only measure by which businesses make decisions, but it's certainly a big one. We believe that North Dakota has a historic opportunity to dramatically reduce the tax burden on everyone in North Dakota. We shouldn’t be debating tax rates as much as we should be debating tax elimination. Taxes 2012-02-01T15:05:20-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/another_snag_for_the_northern_plains_national_heritage_area/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/another_snag_for_the_northern_plains_national_heritage_area/#When:13:59:09Z Organizers of the Northern Plains National Heritage Area hit another snag. Their federal funding was suspended by the National Park Service because of issues regarding conflicts of interest on the Northern Plains Heritage board. Click HERE to read the story. Property Rights 2011-11-15T13:59:09-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/free_market_forum_straw_poll_results/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/free_market_forum_straw_poll_results/#When:09:33:05Z Here are the results of the straw poll we conducted at our Free Market Forum. Announcement 2011-11-10T09:33:05-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/candidate_paul_sorum_says_state_budget_growing_faster_than_federal_budget/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/candidate_paul_sorum_says_state_budget_growing_faster_than_federal_budget/#When:11:02:29Z He's right. Budget & Spending 2011-09-20T11:02:29-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/lloyd_omdahl_north_dakota_has_a_negative_tax_image/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/lloyd_omdahl_north_dakota_has_a_negative_tax_image/#When:14:39:52Z In a recent column, former lieutenant governor Lloyd Omdahl discussed two recent national studies that show that North Dakota isn't as business friendly as we typically think: Taxes 2011-08-15T14:39:52-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/north_dakota_state_senator_heeds_ndpcs_call_for_investigation_into_higher_e/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/north_dakota_state_senator_heeds_ndpcs_call_for_investigation_into_higher_e/#When:13:29:58Z The day after I called on the state government to investigate and thoroughly audit the North Dakota University System, State Senator Joe Miller echoed those claims stating the following: Considering the fact that the intimidation of state employees was directed at keeping information from the legislature while it was in session requires that legislative leadership, in consultation with the Attorney General and State Auditor develop a proper mode of investigation and resolution. Click HERE to learn more about the developing scandals. Education 2011-08-15T13:29:58-06:00 http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/forbes_und_and_ndsu_are_519_589_respectively/ http://www.policynd.org/index.php?/site/blog/forbes_und_and_ndsu_are_519_589_respectively/#When:14:33:30Z In another blow to the reputation of the North Dakota University System, Forbes ranks the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University 519th and 589th respectively among the nation’s universities. In all, 650 colleges and universities were included in the ranking. Education 2011-08-04T14:33:30-06:00