Letter to the editor: Measure 2 will benefit North Dakotans the most

Opponents of Measure 2 seem to be fixated on fact that nonresident property owners would not be paying property taxes. Sixteen percent of total property taxes are paid by nonresident property owners (71 percent of nonresident property is commercial property; 23 percent agricultural and 6 percent residential). While 16 percent of all property is nonresident owned, 84 percent is owned by North Dakota residents.

Opponents argue that because nonresidents would be exempt we should oppose Measure 2. Sort of sounds like cutting your nose off to spite your face.

However, these same people seem to have no problem giving tens of millions in property tax abatements and millions more in taxpayer-funded grants to out-of-state businesses through public “economic development” incentive programs, most of which are funded with their property taxes.

Non-resident property owners have no children attending our K-12 schools and are subsidizing our children’s education. To be fair shouldn’t we reduce nonresident property taxes if Measure 2 doesn’t pass? This would be fair, wouldn’t it?

Opponents of Measure 2 don’t object to the more than $200 million the Legislature gives each year to nonresident students attending our colleges and universities. Their families pay no taxes in North Dakota. No other state is as generous. Shouldn’t this $200 million be used to fund our K-12 schools instead?

When Measure 2 passes no one will pay property taxes, resident and nonresident alike. Does this mean nonresidents get a “free ride”? No. The services currently funded with property taxes will be replaced with the sales and income tax dollars we are currently paying. Nonresident property owners pay these taxes just like we do. Everyone will be paying his or her fair share.

With passage of Measure 2 every property owner — homeowner, business owner, farmer and rancher will be secure in the ownership their property. No longer will anyone worry about paying an ever-increasing property tax or fear losing his or her property.

One of the intended consequences of Measure 2 is to stimulate new economic development and attract business and industry to North Dakota. This will diversify our economy and bring jobs so our children can live and work here.

We would be the first state to abolish property taxes. However, Pennsylvania may also soon abolish property taxes and a dozen other states are in the process of either doing the same or studying how to do so.

Robert L. Hale

Minot

Tags: measure 2, opinion, letters