New ND Council to Explore Youth Incentives
by GrandForksHerald.com Posted on 10/12/2009
For years, state Rep. Lisa Wolf has asked her Minot high school students whether they planned to stay in North Dakota after finishing school. Often, the answer was no, with students saying they didn't like the weather or their prospects for landing a good job.
On Tuesday, a newly formed state Youth Council, the result of legislation sponsored by the Democratic lawmaker, will begin exploring suggestions from North Dakota young people about how to change the answer to yes.
"I hope we can have real conversations with these kids and find out why they don't want to stay, and find out what makes the ones that want to stay, stay," Wolf said.
"The ones that say weather, well, there isn't much we're going to do about the weather, unless we build a bubble over the state," she said. "But the ones that have real meaning are the ones that say, 'Because we can't make any money here.'"
The group, headed by Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple, will include four state legislators and 16 young people ages 16 to 24. As outlined in the legislation, its discussion portfolio will be broad, including issues relating to "education, health care, employment opportunities and quality of life issues, such as recreation and entertainment."
The measure met strong Republican opposition in the state House, where representatives cut the council's number of suggested meetings from four to two and removed a provision that allowed council members to be paid meeting expenses. Thirty-one GOP House members opposed the bill's final approval.
North Dakota's Commerce Department will be covering some of the council's expenses, and Dalrymple said some private fundraising is planned.
"The funding issue is not a simple one," Dalrymple said. "We are asking all kinds of organizations, both nonprofit and private, if they will help us ... It would be nice if we didn't have to go through that, but we're being asked to do it, so we're going to do it that way."
Hoeven declined to appoint Wolf to the council, instead choosing Rep. Corey Mock, 24, a Grand Forks Democrat, for a council spot reserved for House Democrats. Mock's district includes the University of North Dakota.
Hoeven said the council would add to his administration's other youth initiatives, including programs that promote career counseling and provide incentives for businesses to offer internships to young people.
"I think it's a good concept to get more participation from young people, in terms of making recommendations for future legislation," Hoeven said. "But (the Youth Council) goes along the lines of an initiative that we already have under way."
Wolf teaches business and computer classes in Minot, including a class that focuses on students developing career interests. She said the council could discuss possible financial incentives for young families to stay in North Dakota, such as tax credits for children and day care expenses.
"It will be good to ask the kids. That's what we should asking the kids, is what they think are good ideas," Wolf said. "Let's ask them. Let's find out."
