Connie Samuelson, Minot

Over the past 4 years North Dakotans’ struggled through inflation while our ND State Legislative Assembly (NDSLA) increased their spending from $14.3B to $19.5B. Their general fund spending has increased from $4.9 billion to $6.1 billion. Factoring in population growth and inflation, this is $2 billion more spending per year than should be spent. The Legacy Fund has ballooned to $10.55 billion and the Common School Trust Fund is holding more than $6.8 billion.

Currently a homeowner pays $4,500 in property tax for a $250,000 home. Under the current system for that same home the homeowner will pay $5,600 in 5 years and $7,100 in 10 years. This is not factoring in the 42% “relief” we get from the state, which according to one representative, that relief might be discontinued within 5 years. If that happens, how much will your property taxes go up? This is a serious crisis for those planning to retire within that time span or young families wanting to stay in ND.

We residents of ND have been forced to cut our budgets, all while our elected representatives continue to increase their spending on pet projects, capital cronyism, corporate welfare and funds for illicit international trips.

We have an election coming up and as concerned tax paying citizens, we need to be engaged in the political cycle; get informed; seek the truth; learn who your district representatives are, and what their spending pattern is. It is time to take the feedbag off the NDSLA, and the weighted saddlebags off ND residents. The only way to force the NDSLA to reduce their overspending, is to vote Yes to end unfair property tax and have the state provide annual property tax revenue replacement payments to political subdivisions. This will give local control to the citizens and allow them to use their voices and their votes on how local funds get spent.