At first, as a former city commissioner, I was skeptical about Measure 2. This measure would eliminate property taxes in North Dakota.
After reviewing the measure, I was convinced this measure needs approval. You, yourself, cannot control property taxes, but you can control income taxes and sales taxes based on your income and spending.
One should not be taxed over and over again on your house or property like the current ongoing rent-from-the-government tax system we have now. True freedom is property ownership without paying ongoing taxes to avoid confiscation. Most peoples’ goal is to own property and they work hard to do it.
The measure does allow for local control since the state Legislature would be obligated, by law, to fund local services (schools, police, fire, roads, bridges, etc.) Before other special interests would be funded at the state level. Sounds fair.
A concern some people have is out-of-state property owners would not pay for police and fire protection. The Legislature can allow counties, cities, etc., to impose special assessments on property for police and fire protection so out-of-state property owners pay their share. Fair enough.
The state has and will amass a greater bounty of tax revenue (oil extraction, sales and income taxes, etc.) that will lead to abuse and waste. This will only balloon government. Now is the time to take action.
Vote “yes” on Measure 2 on Tuesday.
Tim Beaudoin, Dickinson
Tags: opinion, letter, letters
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