BISMARCK – The North Dakota State House killed a resolution Tuesday to put a measure on the ballot to eliminate property tax. The Senate defeated a resolution to put a measure on the ballot to eliminate property tax for schools.
House Concurrent Resolution 3024 would have placed on the November ballot a constitutional measure to prohibit the levying of property taxes by political subdivisions.
Proponents of the resolution argued that taxing a person’s home is unethical, saying the impact on the economy due to elimination would offset the cost. Opponents said the measure takes away from local control, saying the state would then be in charge of every service political subdivisions provide.
Arguments on both sides of the issue can be heard here. The resolution failed by a vote of 75 to 18.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4020 would have placed on the November ballot a constitutional measure to prohibit the legislative assembly from authorizing or requiring school districts to levy property taxes to contribute to the educational cost per student.
Some arguments in favor of the resolution were similar to those for HCR3024, while others believed this would be a fair compromise to discourage citizens from eliminating property taxes themselves. Opponents argued for local control, with some saying the measure would make it easier for foreign entities to compete with local farmers in buying land.
“Local communities need the ability to decide what is the proper level of funding,” said Sen. Mathern, D-Dis. 11, Fargo, in opposition to SCR4020. “One of the ways to express that authority is through property tax. The students that are here in our chamber today will be the people that replace us, and they need to be prepared for that duty, and that preparation takes place in our local community.”
“If the legislature keeps spending all of our revenue and we choose to grow government then yes, it could be a tax shift,” said Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Dis. 3, Minot, in support of HCR3024. “Even then I would support it because I think people deserve to own their homes.”
More arguments on both sides of SCR4020 can be heard here. The resolution failed by a vote of 30 to 15.
