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The Roughrider Policy Center
| Roughrider Policy Center | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | North Dakota |
| Top official: | Bette Grande |
| Website: | Official website |
The Roughrider Policy Center (RPC) is a conservative 501(c)(3) nonprofit think tank based in North Dakota. Its stated mission is "to promote and defend liberty and free enterprise in North Dakota."[1] The Roughrider Policy Center is an affiliate member of the State Policy Network, a coalition of free-market state-level policy organizations.[2]
The RPC's current CEO is Bette Grande.[3] Grande is a former member of the North Dakota House of Representatives and columnist at InForum.[4] She is also a fellow at the Heartland Institute was previously chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) Energy, Environment and Agriculture task force. [5][6]
Mission
As of September 6, the website for Roughrider Policy Center listed the following mission statement for the organization:[7]
| “ | To promote and defend liberty and free enterprise in North Dakota.[8] | ” |
Background
The RPC was founded in 2018 by Bette Grande and Jacob Strinden. It received 501(c)(3) status in 2019.[9]
Work
The RPC advocates for its policy positions through coalition building, lobbying, and by expressing public support or opposition to impending legislation.
Lobbying
The RCP has lobbied against efforts in support of environmental, social issues, and corporate governance (ESG). Grande has testified in front of the North Dakota state legislatures in opposition to Senate Resolution 2291 and in support for House Bill 1429.[10] [11] Grande has also provided legislative testimony against price controls for prescription drugs.[12] Grande testified in support of House Bill 1425, which reformed the state's income tax.[13]
Coalition support
The RCP has signed coalition letters in partnership with the SPN and other like-minded partners. In 2020, RPC endorsed the Trump Administration’s Affordable Clean Energy rule in a coalition letter.[14] The RCP also opposed prescription price controls in an open letter to Congress.[15]
Publications and media
Grande has published articles and opinion pieces that aim to influence policymakers.[16][17]
Policy scope
The following is a summary of the RPC's main policy issues as listed on their website:
- Education:"Roughrider Policy Center is committed to expanding opportunities for North Dakota student success by empowering families with access to a variety of educational options. We inform policymakers and the public with high quality research on how greater freedom can drive innovations that will better meet diverse learning and workforce needs."[18] The RPC advocates for the abolition of Article 152 of the North Dakota Constitution, known as a Blaine Amendment, which prohibits public funding for schools or educational institutions run by religious organizations.
- Energy:"The unique geological, geographical, and environmental features of North Dakota can contribute to the improvement and well-being of our residents, the region, and the nation. The state maximizes the value of those unique features to promote a balance of environmental health and economic vigor, to secure citizens' access to natural resources and the benefits they provide."[19]
- Healthcare:"Roughrider Policy Center seeks to expand access, increase choice, improve quality, and reduce cost for all North Dakotans. We promote innovation and advocate free-market solutions that increase patient options and free caregivers to put patients first."[20]
- Environment: "Because of our ability to safely, responsibly and efficiently develop natural resources, our standard of living is up, life expectancy is up, and our environment is cleaner. Everyone can reap the benefits of affordable, reliable, abundant, and safe power and revel in the beauty of a thriving environment."[21]
Leadership
Bette Grande is the center's founder and current CEO.[3]
Affiliated programs
Policy Center is an affiliate member of the State Policy Network.[2]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Roughrider Policy Center "About" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 State Policy Network, "Affiliates accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Roughrider Policy Center "Bette Grande" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ InForum, "Bette Grande, accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Heartland Institute "Bette Grande" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ SFOF Exposed "Bette Grande" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Roughrider Policy Center, "About," accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service "Exempt Organizations Select Check" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ North Dakota Legislative Assembly "Testimony for Senate Resolution 2291" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ [htts:/p/ndlegis.gov/assembly/68-2023/testimony/HIBL-1429-20230123-15628-F-GRANDE_BETTE.pdf North Dakota Legislative Assembly "Testimony for House Bill 1429" accessed September 6, 2024]
- ↑ North Dakota Legislative Assembly "Testimony for House Bill 2031" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ North Dakota Legislative Assembly "Legislative Video" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Roughrider Policy Center "RPC Signs Letter of Support for Trump Administration’s Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Roughrider Policy Center "RPC Signs Price Fixing Coalition Letter" February 18, 2020
- ↑ InForum "Bette Grande" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Leaders of the Frontier "Leaders on the Frontier - Environmental Social Government Indexes and Net-zero with Bette Grande" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Roughrider Policy Center "Education" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Roughrider Policy Center "Energy" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Roughrider Policy Center "Healthcare" accessed September 6, 2024
- ↑ Roughrider Policy Center "Enviroment" accessed September 6, 2024
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