‘Real News From The Blaze’: Is North Dakota Becoming Democracy Lab USA?
- Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:21am by
Christopher Santarelli
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North Dakota, the third least populous state in the US, could have become a laboratory for examining the effects of conservative state constitutional amendments reducing the load on the taxpayer and expanding the protection of religious liberty. Unfortunately for those who wanted to watch the experiment, North Dakotans rejected two possible amendments to the state’s constitution Tuesday, including Measure 2, that would have banned property taxes.
The movement for the ban emerged as North Dakota finds itself sustaining a boom in the energy sector, while running a budget surplus and collecting higher tax revenue in comparison pre-recession levels.
The proposal saw opposition though from private and public forces in the state who argued that such a ban would create business uncertainty considering it fails to plan on how to make up for the $812 million in annual property tax revenue. Revenue that the public sector now quickly reminds can’t be used for building schools or other public works projects.
Fox News reported on Tuesday night that North Dakota voters resoundingly defeated the tax proposal, Measure 2. Additionally, voters were against Measure 3 which would amend the constitution prohibiting government intervention with religious liberty. According the Christian Science Monitor, the Religious Liberty Restoration amendment would have added a clause to the state constitution stipulating that the government must have a “compelling interest” in order to “burden” a person whose actions or decisions are informed by religious belief and that the government should use the “least restrictive means to further that interest.”
With 70 percent of precincts reporting, The Bismarck Tribune reported late Tuesday that voters also said no to Measure 3 by a 64.5 percent to 35.4 percent margin. Still, the idea of North Dakota becoming democracy lab U.S.A. spurred an interesting discussion on “Real News” Tuesday:
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Tigress1
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:47amThis was a +1 in the column for N.Dakota, but dropping the name “Fighting Sioux” was a -1 so it comes out even.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:25amSorry, I misunderstood. Someone told me earlier that they voted in FAVOR of repealing the Property Tax. Two negatives for N. Dakota.
Report Post »Steve28
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 8:46amNot sure of the deficit their pensions might have if they are like most out there that have been decimated by low returns. I’m also not sure of what bonds they past and liabilities they have. I would look at paying off debt assuming the interest rates were high. After this I would look at an annual rebate based excess taxes collected. Now having some surplus funds for bad times based on a reasonble amount would also be wise.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 8:02am“IS NORTH DAKOTA BECOMING DEMOCRACY LAB USA?”
The answer, as almost always when your article title asks a question, is “No, but read this anyway!”
“Unfortunately for those who wanted to watch the experiment, North Dakotans rejected two possible amendments to the state’s constitution Tuesday, including Measure 2, that would have banned property taxes.”
Report Post »huey6367
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 7:23amYes, ND is having a boom from oil drilling. Good for them. So they have income generated from that. The problem I see in banning property taxes is where do you get additional revenue from when the feds step in (the EPA) and say you can’t drilling here, here and here anymore. Then youhave no revenue from petroleum and none from property taxes. How about they do like Alaska and instead of eliminating property taxes, pay the citizens back for the petroleum?
Wouldn’t mind living in ND – not very populated and oil – but I’m from Florida and it gets COLD there. So I don’t think my thin blood could handle that.
Report Post »Mlehman
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:11amShhhh! North Dakota is the best kept secret in this country! We have gorgeous summers! The cold isn’t too bad! Once it gets below zero it is all the same. Cold is cold. The best part is the cold keeps the riff raff out!!! I was Texan by birth but I am North Dakotan BY CHOICE!!!!
Report Post »bassist237
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:38amAmen to that “The cold keeps the riff-raff out..”, It will be mighty hard with that oil boom though. I live in SD – and its awesome.
Report Post »toomuchgovt
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:24amI can’t believe this failed. I’m sure fear had a large part in voting to keep the property tax. What a shame. They had a chance to tell their state government to live within their means. They blew it.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:10ammy sentiments exactly. shame on them.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:57amTax the Unions! Make them pay their fair share!
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:02amPeople need to drop out of unions! They have over-stayed their welcome and usefulness, now primarily being used to funnel $$$ to political power and ‘fat cat’ bosses. Wake up members and learn to stand on your own two feet – it’s your life, your choice and your money.
Report Post »johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:11amI believe that the press doesn’t recognize that we either reduce taxes by election processes or citizens begin a tax revolt in the face of corrupt elected officials spending us into oblivion. I’m talking on the local, state and federal levels.
A guy by the name of Celente has been predicting this tax revolt to happen for years now. This may become the second American Revolution.
Celente nailed the financial meltdown at trendsresearch.com. There’s a great chance that Celente is absolutely spot-on.
Report Post »Plan B
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:38amOh well, got to admit I did google some real estate in ND last night.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:28amHow many know that Labor Unions are tax exempt under 501(c)5. Churches are tax exempt under 501(c)(3). The labor unions received this special exemption way back in 1913 with the Revenue Act of 1913 – sponsored by two Democrats – one a White Supremacist. In 2010, these labor unions collectively held $32,498,906,714 in assets. Although, unions are a business, providing a service for their members, (negotiating higher wages and benefits for their members) they are exempt from paying Federal Income Taxes as any other business is required to pay.
Also, while keeping their tax exempt status, they are free to speak out on political issues, while Churches are prohibited from doing the same. Unions haven’t paid Federal Income Taxes for a hundred years. It’s time that the Revenue Act of 1913 is repealed. It’s time that the Unions pay their fair share – don’t you think? The Unions have billions of untaxed revenues. Here’s your revenues, President Obama. Tax the Unions. They haven’t paid Federal Income Taxes for one hundred years.
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:38amOops, the Unions have “Billions” of untaxed revenues.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 5:49amAll too aware of that matter.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:22amProperty tax? Let’s see… I do not pay it; they SEIZE my property without due process.
The Ohio constitution states on page 88 that property tax shall not exceed one percent of the assessed value, yet I am paying 1.5% of my mortgaged value and nearly 3% of my assessed value. But this is very legal- just ask the county. These “public servants” are a bunch of f&*#ing thieves.
These goons called “public servants” (bureaucrats and politicians alike) no longer respect nor fear the citizen/taxpayer. They all have a spending problem….not a revenue (tax) problem.
They need to learn a little respect/fear.
Report Post »trappedinwv
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:45amThe religious amendment could have been a double edged sword.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:28amExactly my first thought.
Report Post »The property tax thing also not entirely planned out, apparently.
Master.Debater
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 8:07amThe property tax would have likely been replaced with higher income taxes.
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