Becker-led group hoping to get measure to eliminate property taxes in North Dakota

FARGO — Eliminating property taxes in North Dakota might be on the ballot this November and, according to the North Dakota Legislative Council, that could mean needing to replace $1.3 billion in revenue per year.

Former state representative Rick Becker is leading the End Unfair Property Tax Committee. They’ve been working to collect more than 31,000 signatures for nearly a year to get the measure on the ballot.

House Representative Jim Kasper says he’s been behind eliminating property taxes since 2011, especially to help seniors on limited incomes facing increasing home valuations.

The Legislature’s government finance committee released new numbers this week showing eliminating property taxes would cost communities $1.3 billion a year. Opponents of the measure say it could be devastating, but Kasper says the lost revenue can be made up by cutting spending elsewhere.

“We’ve got all sources of money out there. All we got to do is have the wherewithal to do it. I’ve got a bill I’m drafting also to require the executive agencies to reduce their budget by 10% over this year’s budget. Do you think they can do it? I’ll bet you they can. So we have all kinds of money,” Kasper said. “We’re just going to redirect it back to the people, as opposed to the corporate giveaway and the spending we really don’t need to do.”

The group has until June 29 to collect the signatures they need to get the measure on the ballot this upcoming election.