Dakota Beacon

BISMARCK, N.D. - Ongoing North Dakota Taxpayers' Association (NDTA) investigations indicate that the publicly funded North Dakota State Data Center (NDSDC) has been politically active.

Records obtained in early July named NDSDC as a member of the North Dakota Economic Security and Prosperity Alliance political advocacy coalition. (See previous press release below)

"If this or any political coalition wants data, it can be obtained from the data center the same way any other group has to obtain it," said NDTA executive director Dustin Gawrylow.  "The data center is a source of information with no legitimate reason to be an official member of any political coalition."

During private discussions, Gawrylow asked about NDSDC funding sources; center director Dr. Richard Rathge answered that it does not receive "any state, federal, or university dollars."

A recently acquired North Dakota Legislative Council report reveals that NDSDC received over $300,000 in state and federal funds during the past four years. 

"Despite Dr. Rathge's claims, the data center is funded by state dollars and should be subject to the same accountability as any other publicly funded agency," Gawrylow said. "There is an unacceptable lack of transparency that the State Data Center is obligated to clarify to the public."

The Legislative Council report also concludes that NDSDC's grant and contract incomes "have not been sufficient" during the 2007-09 and 2009-11 biennium to cover the costs of operations.

"The public deserves to know the extent to which our tax dollars are being used to subsidize the State Data Center's work with political groups," Gawrylow concluded.

From July 8th, 2010:

State Data Center's Political Activities Questioned 

Taxpayer supported center named as political advocacy coalition member 

BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Taxpayers' Association (NDTA) obtained records today documenting the state-funded North Dakota State Data Center (NDSDC) as a member of the North Dakota Economic Security and Prosperity Alliance (NDESPA) political advocacy coalition. 

NDSDC is a taxpayer funded agency at North Dakota State University in Fargo. 

"If this coalition wants data, they can obtain it from the Data Center the same way any group would," said NDTA executive director Dustin Gawrylow.  "The Data Center has no legitimate reason to be listed as an official coalition member." 

The NDSDC website says: 

"The mission of the North Dakota State Data Center (NDSDC) is to provide objective socio-economic analysis and to support informed decisions in areas of resource allocation, business management, and public policy for people of North Dakota and beyond. The NDSDC responds to requests, conducts research, compiles information, and disseminates research findings to meet the demographic and economic needs of North Dakota." 

These documents (see link below) trigger important questions that demand immediate attention: 

1.      Does coalition participation violate laws that prohibit public funds from being spent for a political purpose?

 
2.      What role does NDSDC play in the coalition?

3.      Did Director Richard Rathge authorize NDSDC's involvement?

4.      Does NDSDC have any voting or agenda setting rights within the coalition?

5.      Does NDSDC serve this coalition services at rates lower than it requires any other entity to pay?

6.      Are taxpayer funds being used to pay travel or other costs associated with NDSDC's coalition participation? 

"It is simply unacceptable for a state agency like the Data Center to involve itself with a special interest group working on a declared policy agenda," Gawrylow said.  "Taxpayers should not be subsidizing special interest groups." 

 

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