WDAZ for sure.

Let’s not forget that the Forum also owns a big chunk of the electronic media in the state as well.

Maybe Hawk’s projecting for when his buddy Obama is King. There won’t be any freedom of the press then.

Apparently Forum Communications simply ignored the biggest story in ND — that measures 1 & 2 opposition is funded by the by the radical teacher’s union, the NEA, to the tune of at least $300,000. The also ignore that one ND party is largely sustained by out-of-state money to the tune of about 85%. Silence. Funny how Dorgan is so concerned about radio station ownership and conservative talk radio, but appears rather satisfied Forum Communication ownership of ND media that seems to support every thing he does and ignore his obvious economic demagoguery.

It is clear that someone is clueless and does not know the full ramifications of these measures.

Rob,

I want to address your question about the “Loads of other people’s money” economic development monies received by our companies. On the real estate side of our business we have investments in 16 communities across North Dakota and Minnesota. These investments represent over $100MM of total private investments we have made over the past 5 years. Over this period we have received assistance from a few local economic development groups who have asked us to assist them in the new construction of “Market” rural residential housing. These included a $200K loan in Valley City for 36 new apartments and a $300K loan for 72 new apartments units in Williston. In both projects we provided a substantial amount of cash “risk” equity for the project. Because of appraisal gaps in these markets additional gap financing was needed to get the projects completed. These two projects represent over $10MM of new construction investment in these communities and addressed needed housing shortages. I think this is a good use of public money. In addition I am personally guaranteeing over $7MM in loans. I am not sure how many people in North Dakota are willing to take that level of personal risk in Williston and Valley City. If you know anybody send them over:)

We have also used the Renaissance programs on projects involving blighted buildings in downtown areas. Remember this program is available to any applicant in the state. Other than loan programs the only other item I can think of is a $35,000 economic development grant to provide technology capabilities to a new facility in West Fargo that now employs 6 people. I hope this gives some insight into the public monies involved in our investments. Generally using economic development financing is not an attractive option because of the time and risks associated public money. In the end it usually causes more problems that it is worth.

I can explain it to you Imagine.

Vote for #1 so that much of the oil revenue is there when the oil revenues run out. A no vote means the politicians will keep raiding the funds to spend today. They don’t care about the future.

Vote yes for #2 so that this time the taxpayers of the state get meaningful tax relief. Otherwise the politicians like John Hoeven will spend all of the money and demand more taxes down the road.

Vote no on #3. We don’t need to hector everyone not to smoke.

Vote no on #4 so that the Workers Safety and Insurance isn’t turned into a political football. Right now WSI is a competitive advantage for the state. The greedy trial lawyer want to turn the clock back so that they can abuse the system and the slackers can get a pitiful existence rather than being expected to go back to work.

Mike Marcil is the nephew of William Marcil.

Rob,

In general I agree that economic development programs do not have much of a meaningful impact in the state. I also agree 100% it is never the first option to have local, state or federally investments in for profit business. The national financial situation and the $236 Billion deficit in October make me sick and worried. You are correct that the performance history of these types of activities is not very good. Example recently proposed new sales taxes for economic development across the state have been defeated. The most visible was the “growth imitative” in Fargo that failed miserably. So I think the public is squarely on your side recently. The hot issue right now is property tax relief.

I think reasonable, balanced minimal tax policy along with creating an attractive and easy business environment in our state has a more to do with our long term prosperity than economic development programs. If our economy is strong as it is now companies like mine will continue to hire people and make investments. If we make bad policy decisions that put the state at risk “Measure 2″ my company may look at other markets to deploy investment capital. As one of the largest private investment groups investing in high risk rural communities we view North Dakota a very strong right now. We view it as a safe haven. We do not need to fix something that is not broken. However we do need property tax relief in this session. In fact we probably need to take this time as to compete with other states that are not in such a solid position and have attracted our skilled workforce for decades.

I will leave you on this note. In 15 minutes I am going to interview a senior management executive to potentially run one of my investments in a rural community. She is an exceptional candidate that will add much to the company, community and our state. She has over 20 years as an executive with fortune 500 companies. She is not from North Dakota!! In fact she is currently living in CA and loves it. However she wants to come here and experience a lifestyle change. Yes she wants to move here. Yes she desires to live here. She wants what we have. Not once in any of the 20+ people we have recruited and moved to North Dakota has tax policy come up. What they all want is a lifestyle proposition and security for their future. I have a huge belief in this state and I am thankful every day that I have the opportunity to live here.

Mike

When was the last time you checked?

Right. Because government mandates on media ownership are even better, right Hawk?

And then we can put the Fairness Doctrine in place, and the government can regulate content too! Hell, why don’t we just nationalize the media. That much easier to control ownership and content, and then everything will be fair.

I don’t like that most of the state’s media is owned by one company. But it’s a free country, and if they can run a business like that they should be free to do so.

That’s called “principle” Hawk. You should look it up in a dictionary or something.

If we make bad policy decisions that put the state at risk “Measure 2″ my company may look at other markets to deploy investment capital.

This actually doesn’t make any sense.

You say we need tax relief, but the only tax relief you think is adequate is property tax relief.

Now I agree that we should have property tax relief, but the simple truth of the matter is that we cannot provide that relief from the state level without a) bailing our irresponsible local spending and ensuring that more of that spending happens or b) losing one heck of a lot of local control.

What we can do, statewide, is lower one of the taxes that is implemented by the statewide government. The two taxes that effect just about all of us are the sales tax and the income tax. Now I think that taxes on productivity should be a heck of a lot lighter than taxes on consumption (I really don’t think they should exist at all), so a cut in the state income tax makes sense.

And it’s not irresponsible at all, unless you think leaving more money in the pockets of citizens is irresponsible. And Measure 2 would have left plenty of money in the state’s coffers. The cost would have been something like $420 million out of the projected $1.2 billion surplus, and even that number is probably high given what we know of tax cuts stimulating the economy.

And all tax relief is tax relief, whether it be on property taxes or income taxes. Frankly, income tax relief would be more broad in its impact given that more people pay the income tax (directly) than the property tax.

There is simply no good reason not to cut statewide taxes in North Dakota right now unless you think that the government knows how to spend this money better than the citizens.

Not once in any of the 20+ people we have recruited and moved to North Dakota has tax policy come up.

Well, comparing North Dakota’s taxes to California’s is sort of like comparing oranges to skyscrapers, isn’t it? Just because California has gone off the deep end with their tax code doesn’t mean we couldn’t use some income tax relief here.

Mike,

If you would read the post a little more closely you’ll find that simply noted yours and your uncle’s relationship (after a correction), but I never associated you with his businesses despite your allegations to the contrary.

As for the Marcil family not founding any of the state’s media outlets, that doesn’t change the fact that there’s a near-monopoly now. And absolutely no diversity of opinion. It appears to this observer that it all comes down from the top.

You also state that you own media properties that compete with your uncles. You’re kind of proving my point with that. Clearly you and your uncle feel the same way politically. And there remains an utter lack of diversity in the state’s media.

Last, my opposition to Measure 2 was based on my own personal belief in the future of North Dakota. 70% of the voters agreed with my opinion.

Seventy percent of voters were scared away from voting in their own best interests by special interest groups and “Republicans” who think it’s better to keep as much money as possible in government. They were scared by the “you won’t get property tax relief” canard, as though property tax relief can come from the state level (Hoeven’s bailout of out-of-control local spending is not property tax relief).

Finally, how much “economic development” money flows into your companies I wonder? Seems like “loads of other people’s money” is a good motivation for a “personal belief” against much-needed tax relief.

Nationally there is a movement against big-government Republicans in the wake of this election loss. I think we need to bring that campaign home to ND.

Hawk, Whistler’s right too. This is about newspapers.

Though, Forum Communications owns broadcast stations too.

I’m not saying that national ownership of our local media would be preferable to the status quo. But it would be nice to see a bit less groupthink in the state media.