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June 13, 2012 09:48 PM UTC

North Dakota Voters Decide Property Taxes Make Sense

  • 18 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

As MSNBC reports:

North Dakota voters on Tuesday soundly rejected a ballot measure that sought to make the oil-rich state the first to abolish property taxes, a move critics said would have undermined local governments and forced an increase in taxes overall.

The measure, which would have required state lawmakers to come up with a way to replace $812 million in lost property tax revenues for 2012 alone, was defeated by a vote of 77.5 percent to 22.5 percent, with 70 percent of precincts reporting.

A varied coalition organized opposition to the measure, including the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, which said it was looking for “broad based” reform of personal income, corporate and sales taxes as well as property taxes.

We won’t have to make that choice in Colorado — at least not in 2012. Two conservatives from Colorado Springs had been trying to get a measure on the ballot in our state to eliminate property taxes, but just recently threw in the towel on that effort. The Colorado Statesman explains:

Samuel Babcock and his sister, Elise Van Grinsven – both from the Colorado Springs area – had proposed the conservative-leaning initiatives after having discussions around the “kitchen table,” according to Babcock…

…“We’re neighbors; we’re working people trying to find work to stay alive and stay afloat,” said Babcock, a 34-year-old unaffiliated voter who is currently finishing his master’s degree in mental health counseling and looking for work. [Pols emphasis]

The state title board ruled in April that the property tax measure violated the “single subject rule” and would not make the ballot, but the fact that the idea even got that far is scary to say the least. Many local governments in Colorado rely on property tax revenue to fund silly things like schools, firefighters and police officers.

It’s telling that one of the proponents of this measure, quoted above, calls himself among “working people,” even though he doesn’t actually have a job himself.  

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18 thoughts on “North Dakota Voters Decide Property Taxes Make Sense”

  2. True-Blue Right-Wingers know that cutting tax RATES generates so much activity that the lower rates cause more, not less, revenue.  Thus, cutting the tax rate to zero will produce infinite revenue.  

       Honestly, I don’t know how many times I will have to explain Supply Side Economics to you. 🙁

  3. True-Blue Right-Wingers know that cutting tax RATES generates so much activity that the lower rates cause more, not less, revenue.  Thus, cutting the tax rate to zero will produce infinite revenue.  

       Honestly, I don’t know how many times I will have to explain Supply Side Economics to you. 🙁

  4. Those over 65 in Colorado got a freebie this year when the property tax exemption was reinstated, regardless of income!

    Why, oh why, do our Democrats keep acting like Republicans?

  5. Yes, it would require steep increases in other taxes… but okay, fine with me.  As far as taxes go, I’d like to see (in order of decreasing desirability) estate tax, then capital gains tax, then income tax, then sales tax, then property tax.

    Property taxes are a way for people to be charged for having something that wealthier people would like to take away from them.  I remember a lot of not particularly wealthy people were forced out of homes in Cripple Creek because suddenly casinos and related businesses wanted the land.

    1. Property taxes are tough because you can purchase a home when times are good and you have revenue but when you are older, you may be broke yet still have to pay property taxes.

      Property taxes do not care if you generate income or participate in commerce.

      You could be a total stay in who lives off bulk cat food and the guv still wants your property tax.

      And your example of increasing property taxes to run people out is interesting…

      1. Estate tax: Tax what you can afford, and no longer need.

        Capital gains tax: Tax what you can afford, and probably don’t need.

        Income tax: Tax what you can afford.

        Sales tax: Tax what you spend.

        Property tax: Tax how much other people want your home.

        When I talked about increasing property taxes to run people out, it wasn’t some kind of conspiracy theory.  It is inherent in the system.  Property taxes are based on assessed value, so by definition property taxes go up on your house when other people want to take it away more.

        3. Property tax went down. Of course, now I can’t refinance my home to take that long awaited trip to Arvada, but at least the gubmint ain’t getting it.

        1. Thanks     I guess.

          Simply stop viewing the political spectrum from a left right paradigm.

          Begin viewing politics from a 4 dimensional paradigm.

          Those that want to control you morals are authoritarian.

          Those that want to control your money are authoritarian.

          So the people who want to control both your morals and money are the ultimate authoritarians.

          Those that want not to control either are libertarians.

          Those that want to control only your morals and not you money are Republicans.

          Those that want to control your money and not your morals are Democrats.

          Weird huh?

          1. Well, if you’re rich.  Otherwise they’re gonna kinda need your tax dollars/social security/medicare to fund defense spending, tax cuts and such.

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