Current:Home > MyNorth Dakota voters will decide whether to abolish property taxes-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
North Dakota voters will decide whether to abolish property taxes
View Date:2024-12-23 18:52:48
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota voters will decide this fall whether to eliminate property taxes in what would be a first for a state and a major change that officials initially estimate would require more than $1 billion every year in replacement revenue.
Secretary of State Michael Howe’s office said Friday that backers submitted more than enough signatures to qualify the constitutional initiative for the November general election. Voters rejected a similar measure in 2012.
Property taxes are the base funding for numerous local government services, including sewers, water, roads, jails, deputies, school building construction and teacher salaries — “pretty much the most basic of government,” said North Dakota Association of Counties Executive Director Aaron Birst.
Rising property taxes, often fueled by rising home values, have frustrated people across the U.S. North Dakota’s initiative qualified for the ballot as Nebraska legislators were poring over more than 100 proposals to ease ballooning property taxes, with a debate on a plan next week. Kansas legislators approved a small property tax cut this year and said property owners want bigger reductions.
The campaign in North Dakota is happening as the state is experiencing good finances, especially strong oil and sales taxes.
The leader of the measure drive, former Republican state Rep. Rick Becker, said it would help provide property tax relief. He said people often don’t fully understand the process around property valuations and taxation.
“They don’t think it’s fair. They just wait to get a letter in the mail telling them what their home is now valued at, and that increase in value causes increase in taxes. But yet everyone seems to pass the buck because the locals say, ‘Well, we didn’t raise your taxes’ — well, we’re paying more taxes,” said Becker, a plastic surgeon in Bismarck and unsuccessful U.S. House candidate.
If the measure passes, the state would have to replace over $1.3 billion a year beginning in 2025, according to a preliminary legislative research estimate. The state operates on a two-year budget, and the total two-year estimate of replacement revenue would be over $2.46 billion after deducting the state’s current property tax credit program amounts, according to the estimate. The state expects to collect $5 billion in general tax revenues over those two years.
Becker said local governments would still be in charge of their budgets and for generating revenue they would need above the flat, annual amount the state would replace. He floated a combination of a “municipal operations” and infrastructure maintenance fee or tax for every household and business. Those would be more fair and transparent, he said.
Where the replacement revenue comes from is up to the Legislature, Becker said. He suggested a portion could come from earnings of the state’s $10.7 billion oil tax savings.
The measure would present a monumental task for the Legislature’s budget writers, who would have to rethink funding of myriad items, said Republican state Rep. Don Vigesaa, who leads the House Appropriations Committee. The Legislature’s research agency already has put together a tentative list of areas and programs where funding could be taken, such as the state’s “Operation Prairie Dog” infrastructure fund, he said.
Regardless of the election outcome, property tax issues loom large for the 2025 session, Vigesaa said. Term limits voters approved in 2022 mean new lawmakers will eventually replace longtime members who have intimate knowledge of the budget process, he added.
Last year, the Republican-led Legislature passed a package of income tax cuts and property tax credits estimated at $515 million.
veryGood! (9298)
Related
- California voters reject measure that would have banned forced prison labor
- IAT Community Introduce
- Firefighters make progress, but Southern California wildfire rages on
- Rita Ora pays tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Europe Music Awards: 'He brought so much joy'
- Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
- Appeals Court Affirms Conviction of Everglades Scientist Accused of Stealing ‘Trade Secrets’
- Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier
- Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
- Roster limits in college small sports put athletes on chopping block while coaches look for answers
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 4G
Ranking
- 13 Skincare Gifts Under $50 That Are Actually Worth It
- Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
- Jelly Roll goes to jail (for the best reason) ahead of Indianapolis concert
- Brianna LaPaglia Reacts to Rumors Dave Portnoy Paid Her $10 Million for a Zach Bryan Tell-All
- Sister Wives’ Madison Brush Details Why She Went “No Contact” With Dad Kody Brown
- Brian Kelly asks question we're all wondering after Alabama whips LSU, but how to answer?
- Why Amanda Seyfried Traded Living in Hollywood for Life on a Farm in Upstate New York
- Younghoo Koo takes blame for Falcons loss to Saints: 'This game is fully on me'
Recommendation
-
Golden Bachelorette: Joan Vassos Gets Engaged During Season Finale
-
Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
-
When does 'Dune: Prophecy' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch prequel series
-
Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
-
Waymo’s robotaxis now open to anyone who wants a driverless ride in Los Angeles
-
Fire crews on both US coasts battle wildfires, 1 dead; Veterans Day ceremony postponed
-
We Can Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street—and Even More Secrets About the Beloved Show
-
Man charged with murder in fatal shooting of 2 workers at Chicago’s Navy Pier