NORTH DAKOTA – The President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council says Measure four doesn’t help anyone who doesn’t own property like those living in apartments.
“The owner of the apartment building gets a great benefit, but then nothing says they have to pass that down to their renters,” Ron Ness said.
Measure four would abolish assessment-based property taxes.
Ron Ness said on What’s On Your Mind on AM 1100 The Flag that he’s been briefed from the state’s Office of Management and Budget about what would happen if the ballot measure passes.
The Legislature would have to come up with how to pay for the more than $3 billion in the state budget. More than likely short-term it would be taken from other money already allocated. Ness says that could be from human services and elder care which makes up of one third of the state’s budget.
The group End Unfair Property Tax is in favor of Measure four says the state could make cuts like $200 million in legacy fund interest and $600 million of excess revenue over what’s forecasted to make up for the possible loss of property taxes.
