North Dakota Policy Council: Freedom’s advocate takes hold in the Peace Garden State

ARTICLE:

Curly Haugland likes to say, "Socialism didn't work in Eastern Europe. Why are they trying it here?" In early 2007 Haugland's passion for liberty led him to found the North Dakota Policy Council. He serves on its board and as president.

The NDPC's founding came on the heels of a 2006 property rights victory in which Haugland played a key role; he was co-founder of the constitutional amendment initiative to prevent government eminent domain abuse. State residents overwhelmingly approved the amendment.

Opportunities for the spread of freedom are aplenty in the Peace Garden State. For example, North Dakota is the only state with a government-owned bank and grain mill.

In March, the NDPC published its first report, "Government & Ethanol: Cutting Taxes vs. Corporate Welfare," which North Dakota State Representative Karen Karls called "good information." The Grand Forks Herald and Agweek published commentaries about the report. Not surprisingly, the report's predictions came true in October when North Dakota's oldest ethanol plant temporarily shut down.

In May, the NDPC released "Government should stay out of Economic Development," which explained the real problems with North Dakota using special breaks and other incentives to attract niche industries. NDPC Executive Director Brett Narloch asserts, "The solution is not special, discriminatory breaks for select industries. The solution is: Give all businesses breaks."

Narloch says the NDPC will address issues beyond "tax cuts versus tax hikes debate." He advances, "We will take the concepts of ‘sustainable development' and ‘smart growth' head on. The NDPC has dedicated a large portion of its resources to do that. This is a battle for the future of free markets and private property rights."

A free society requires an educated citizenry and government transparency. Thus, earlier in the year the NDPC launched its Sunshine on Schools project. The project's goal: have all North Dakota K-12 schools maintain easily searchable websites that contain their detailed budget information. The response has been positive, with coverage received in a dozen newspapers including the Fargo Forum, the state's largest newspaper, and the capitol city's Bismarck Tribune. Walsh County Record editor Todd Morgan wrote, "I [applaud the NDPC] for trying to hold school districts accountable to the taxpayer."

In addition to the media, the NDPC has fans in the state legislature and out-of-state. North Dakota State Representative Dwight Wrangham wrote, "Finally there's an organization in North Dakota dedicated to the principles of our Founding Fathers." Sam Adams Alliance Foundation chairman and CEO Eric O'Keefe stated, "It's encouraging to see some real life on our side, in North Dakota."

North Dakota Policy Council

Brett Narloch, Executive Director

PO Box 3007

Bismarck, ND 58502

(701) 223-8155

www.policynd.org

brenarlo@policynd.org