{"id":2360301,"date":"2024-10-27T17:35:54","date_gmt":"2024-10-27T21:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/north-dakota-voters-may-end-most-property-taxes-government-programs-could-face-huge-cuts-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-27T17:44:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-27T21:44:58","slug":"north-dakota-voters-may-end-most-property-taxes-government-programs-could-face-huge-cuts-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/north-dakota-voters-may-end-most-property-taxes-government-programs-could-face-huge-cuts-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"North Dakota voters may end most property taxes. Government programs could face huge cuts &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnorth-dakota-voters-may-end-most-property-taxes-government-programs-could-face-huge-cuts-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2360301&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>North Dakota voters will soon decide on\u2063 a ballot measure that, if approved, could \u2063eliminate \u2062most property taxes in the state. While supporters argue that this policy would provide relief to residents and is financially feasible,\u2062 critics warn it could lead to substantial cuts \u2062in \u2064essential state services, including Medicaid, education, and infrastructure projects. The proposed \u2062constitutional initiative would require\u200d the\u2063 Republican-controlled legislature to replace the lost revenue, which\u200b is estimated to cost $3.15 billion biennially. Opponents\u2063 of the measure, represented by various organizations, claim that it could create chaos in the legislative process and jeopardize funding for crucial programs. The measure&#8217;s leader, \u200dRick Becker, believes \u200dthere are\u200d sufficient state funds to cover the gap \u200dwithout raising taxes or \u2063cutting services. \u200cA similar initiative\u2063 failed in \u20642012, \u200dbut recent political \u200bshifts could affect the outcome of this vote.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">North Dakota voters may end most property taxes. Government programs could face huge cuts<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1841877\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>BISMARCK, North Dakota (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> North Dakota voters this fall could largely&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/north-dakota-property-tax-elimination-measure-9afb0e1b331301a752cb1f69b16d3951\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">end property taxes<\/a>&nbsp;by approving a ballot measure that opponents say would drastically slash a variety of state services but supporters argue would provide long-sought relief the state can afford.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>If passed, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.nd.gov\/sites\/www\/files\/documents\/elections\/measures\/property-tax-measure-full-text.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">constitutional initiative<\/a>&nbsp;would eliminate property taxes based on assessed value and require the Republican-controlled legislature to replace the lost revenue. A top legislative&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/north-dakota-elections-marijuana-property-taxes-e0e923f50452dfb24d55db3686f2d497\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">panel estimated<\/a>&nbsp;that total cost to be $3.15 billion every two years &mdash; a huge number for a state that passed a $6.1 billion, two-year general fund budget in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Opponents wonder what government services and initiatives would be cut to cover the replacement revenue.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It would be absolute chaos for the legislature and for the appropriations process, something that we&rsquo;ve never done before,&rdquo; said longtime state Rep. Mike Nathe, a Republican on the House&rsquo;s budget-writing panel. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll be walking blind, that&rsquo;s for sure, as far as how to go about doing this.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Money for Medicaid expansion, hospitals, nursing homes and education programs could all be on the chopping block, he said. Money for infrastructure projects would also be at risk, Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Don Vigesaa said. The legislature also may have to cut state agencies&rsquo; budgets and employees, he said.<\/p>\n<p>Measure leader Rick Becker countered that it wasn&rsquo;t practical to identify funding sources in the initiative but that the state has plenty of money to fill any gaps. He said the legislature could use earnings from the state&rsquo;s $11 billion oil tax savings as well as millions of dollars he said go to &ldquo;corporate welfare&rdquo; for private corporations and special interest groups. The state also has better-than-forecasted revenues coming in, he said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are such a rich state per capita that we can actually make this conversion and be able to afford it without increasing taxes and without cutting services,&rdquo; said Becker, a former Republican state representative.<\/p>\n<p>More than 100 organizations encompassing agricultural, energy, education, health care and other groups formed the Keep It Local coalition to oppose the measure. Chairman Chad Oban described the initiative as taking a sledgehammer to an issue that merits a more thoughtful approach.<\/p>\n<p>A similar measure failed handily in 2012. Oban said he expects a closer vote margin due to more frustration and political changes in North Dakota since 2012, but added he is confident voters will defeat the measure.<\/p>\n<p>The measure would set the replacement revenue from the state at the amount of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/property-taxes-climb-3-6-percent-across-u-s-to-339-8-billion\/\" title=\"Property Taxes Climb 3.6 Percent Across U.S. to 9.8 Billion\">property taxes levied<\/a> in 2024, but Oban said tax revenue would need to increase in coming years.<\/p>\n<p>To deal with that, Becker said local governments could tax property in other ways because the measure abolishes only assessed-value taxation on property. Becker has suggested cities could enact an <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">infrastructure maintenance fee partly based<\/a> on road frontage, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kentucky-lawmakers-override-governor-ditch-school-mask-mandate\/\" title=\"Kentucky Lawmakers Override Governor, Ditch School Mask Mandate\">giving local governments<\/a> a means to raise revenue beyond what the state would replace.<\/p>\n<p>The legislature could increase income and sales taxes, come up with new or never-before-considered fees, or allow local governments to tax in different ways, Oban said. Sales tax increases might help major cities such as Bismarck and Fargo, but it wouldn&rsquo;t work for rural communities that don&rsquo;t have a sales tax base to pay for their schools and law enforcement moving forward, he said.<\/p>\n<p>Property taxes make up about $45 million or one-third of the city of Fargo&rsquo;s budget, and about 40% of the budget is dedicated to police and fire services, Mayor Tim Mahoney said. North Dakota&rsquo;s largest city has nearly 200 police officers and 150 firefighters, and it needs to offer competitive pay to retain employees and attract new hires, he said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Even cost of living or things like that that happen every year, in order to stay competitive, if you have a fixed amount of money coming in, you have to make up for that somewhere, and that&rsquo;s not an easy fix,&rdquo; Mahoney said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/?d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Last year, the legislature passed a package of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/huge-fiscal-cliff-looms-for-the-president-and-congress-after-election-cycle\/\" title=\"Impending fiscal cliff for president and Congress post-election.\">income tax cuts<\/a> and property tax credits estimated at $515 million. The state has a glowing financial picture, including strong oil and sales tax revenues.<\/p>\n<p>The bulk of the measure would take effect Jan. 1, 2025, if passed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1841877\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1841877\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>North Dakota voters may eliminate most property taxes, risking major cuts to state services<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2634,"featured_media":2360302,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP23111801655542-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[43834,33499,37823],"class_list":["post-2360301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-government-programs","tag-north-dakota","tag-property-taxes"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP23111801655542-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2360301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2634"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2360301"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2360301\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2360302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2360301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2360301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2360301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}