North Dakota

Former state lawmaker Rick Becker leads new initiative to abolish North Dakota property taxes

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2023

Former state lawmaker Rick Becker leads new initiative to abolish North Dakota property taxes

FARGO — After 11 years, North Dakota might once again be asked if they want to eliminate property taxes statewide.

A new petition headed by former state lawmaker and U.S. Senate candidate Rick Becker seeks to eliminate property taxes in North Dakota and has been submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office.

The proposed constitutional initiative would prohibit “all political subdivisions from levying any tax on real or personal property except for bonded indebtedness until paid.”

The proposed petition, sponsored by a 25-person committee, is seeking at least 32,000 signatures over the next year to successfully place it on the next ballot as a constitutional measure, as long as the measure is given the go-ahead from the Secretary of State.

“The number one complaint or concern for North Dakotan is, and has been for many years, property tax,” Becker said. “What we’ve been doing hasn’t been working; the citizens of North Dakota haven’t seen the tax relief that the state of North Dakota could provide and they deserve.”

North Dakotans turned down a similar constitutional measure in 2012 with nearly 77% of the vote.

Becker, who left the Republican Party to run an unsuccessful independent campaign against U.S. Sen. John Hoeven in 2022, is the chairperson of the sponsoring committee, which includes three Fargo lawmakers.

Former Fargo City Commissioner Tony Gehrig is on the list of a 25-person committee sponsoring a petition to eliminate property taxes in North Dakota.

Michael Vosburg / The Forum

Tony Gehrig, who served on the Fargo City Commission from 2015 to 2022, is listed.

“I think that perhaps the most hated tax in the state is property taxes,” Gehrig told The Forum. Property taxes have outlived their usefulness and there are newer, better options, he said.

What city’s lose in revenue from doing away with property taxes could be made up by an increase in state funding through

Prairie Dog Funds – oil tax revenue distributed by the state for local infrastructure projects

– combined with municipalities cutting back their spending habits to eliminate excessive local spending, Gehrig said.

“I think local control in many cases is failing,” Gehrig said. “They are spending like drunken sailors.

Becker last proposed his plan to put a near-total elimination of property taxes to a public vote in October of 2022.

The former U.S. Senate candidate

proposed a legislative resolution

that would have needed approval from the state Legislature in order to be placed on the 2024 ballot. Becker, however, did not seek reelection in the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2022. The measure failed in 2023 after another representative brought it forward in his stead, he said.

Becker

sponsored a bill in 2021 that failed 27 to 63 in the House

, and also proposed

a citizen-led ballot measure in 2020

that failed to muster any potential.

It’s boots on the ground this time, according to Becker, with plans to begin signature gathering once the committee gets the all-clear. He plans to lead a team of volunteers to gather signatures and anticipates the support will start “spilling in.”

“This is something that is very grassroots organized,” Becker said. “It’s all about the people in North Dakota.”

Secretary of State Michael Howe and Attorney General Drew Wrigley have until Wednesday, June 26, to draft a title for the petition, which must be a “short and concise statement” that “fairly represent(s) the measure,” according to the release.

The title must be included on the petition as it is being circulated for signatures, it adds.

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North Dakota

Frank Matus, Zach Peterson elected to leadership positions on North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council

Published

25 minutes ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Frank Matus, Zach Peterson elected to leadership positions on North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council

GRAND FORKS — Frank Matus and Zach Peterson have been elected to leadership positions on the executive team of the North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council.

Matus, director of UAS integration strategy and Airspace Mobility Solutions, Americas, has been named chair of the executive team. Peterson, director of business development at Vigilant Aerospace Systems, has been named vice chair.

Matus will bring decades of experience in aviation systems and digital infrastructure to the council, according to a release. His leadership will help “drive forward the council’s mission to advocate for cutting-edge policies, partnerships and solutions that benefit North Dakota’s UAS industry,” according to the release.

“Frank Matus is a visionary leader whose expertise in digital aviation and commitment to innovation will guide the council into an exciting new chapter,” said Matt Dunlevy, president of the NDUASC, in a statement.

“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the NDUASC,” Matus said in a statement. “North Dakota has become a beacon of innovation in the UAS sector, and I look forward to working with the Council’s members to further enhance its leadership in this transformative industry.”

Peterson has been instrumental in advancing Vigilant Aerospace Systems’ safety and autonomous capabilities, the release said. In his role, he will foster partnerships, expand opportunities and support the council’s efforts to strengthen North Dakota’s UAS ecosystem.

“With Zach Peterson’s proven operational leadership and deep industry knowledge as Vice Chair, we are positioned to build on North Dakota’s reputation as a global hub for UAS advancement,” Dunlevy said in a statement. “Their combined leadership will inspire collaboration and progress across the UAS community.”

“I am thrilled to take on the role of Vice Chair,” Peterson said. “The NDUASC is uniquely positioned to lead the future of UAS innovation, and I’m eager to contribute to its mission of shaping a robust and thriving industry.”

The NDUASC is an interest group that advocates for policies to support North Dakota’s UAS ecosystem, including workforce development and innovation in the UAS industry.

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North Dakota

HIGHLIGHTS: North Dakota ends two-game skid for 76-72 victory against Kansas City

Published

8 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

HIGHLIGHTS: North Dakota ends two-game skid for 76-72 victory against Kansas City

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The North Dakota Men’s Basketball team is back in the win column thanks to a thrilling 76-72 victory Saturday to snap a two-game losing skid.

A back-and-forth contest, the second half scoring proved to be the difference, as UND outscored Kansas City 44-36 in the final 20 minutes.

The team was especially pleased with its defensive effort after a rough two games, allowing the Roos to only shoot only 41.3-percent from the field.

”I don’t know what flipped the switch, but it wasn’t anything different we did as coaches,” Head Coach Paul Sather said. “It’s the players that can make that difference and make that change.

“They’ve also got to take that, believe it, and trust it as a five man group, go out there and execute.”

North Dakota next hits the court Thursday when UND hosts USD at 7:00 p.m.

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North Dakota

Bankruptcies for North Dakota and western Minnesota published Jan. 18, 2025

Published

16 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court

North Dakota

Generations on 1st LLC, Fargo, Chapter 11

Parkside Place, Fargo, Chapter 11

The Ruins, Fargo, Chapter 11

Gary Lee Heilman, Minot, Chapter 7

Bryan Lee Ellison, Bismarck, Chapter 7

Christa A. and Christopher S. Benjamin, Newburg, Chapter 7

Robert Craig Ashby, Fargo, Chapter 7

Shirley Lee Hatten, Grenora, Chapter 7

Mitchell Don Frieler, Fargo, Chapter 7

Minnesota

Bankruptcy filings from the following counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Traverse, Wadena and Wilkin.

Kelly Dean and Jeanne Sheree Fingalson, Detroit Lakes, Chapter 13

Barbara Rae Vaughan, Fergus Falls, Chapter 7

Lynn Rene Schroeder, Dilworth, Chapter 13

Chapter 7 is a petition to liquidate assets and discharge debts.

Chapter 11 is a petition for protection from creditors and to reorganize.

Chapter 12 is a petition for family farmers to reorganize.

Chapter 13 is a petition for wage earners to readjust debts.

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