Measure 2 not worth the trouble it will cause N.D.

Whether you like property taxes or not, Measure 2 is a poorly-written mess of a measure, and North Dakotans should vote against it.

Though the measure is very effective in eliminating property taxes, it’s also vague on what exactly will replace them, listing at least seven different types of taxes that could do the job.

It’s the Legislature that would decide which of the seven to use.

In fact, if Measure 2 passes, the Legislature will get to make a lot of decisions for us.

We won’t have to worry about whether to build a new school anymore — the Legislature will decide for us!

We won’t have to worry about what roads need funding anymore, either — the Legislature will do that too!

And who gets to decide what it means to “fully and properly” fund the “legally imposed obligations” of political subdivisions? Why, the Legislature, of course!

The Legislature even gets to decide on the funding formula that will decide who gets what funding in the entire state of North Dakota — but if somebody sues over it, the North Dakota Supreme Court will probably have a hand in deciding that too.

We won’t.

That’s why Measure 2 is a bad idea.

Property taxes may be unreasonable. They may even be unfair.

But there’s no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater and gut our local entities to give more decision-making power to the state.

The Legislature has plenty of power already. Let’s not let them give them the power to cut local law enforcement, roads budgets and snow removal funding.

Vote against Measure 2.

Tags: measure 2, opinion, editorials