A Short Summary Of The Long History Of Doing Nothing On Property Tax

The legislature has approved billions in state spending to paper-over property tax burdens increasing, while doing nothing of substance besides talking about actual reforms.

Property taxes have always been the most hated taxes.

For generations, the North Dakota legislature has repeatedly failed to meaningfully address the state's property tax system, despite decades of voter frustration. While the legislature has passed sweeping budgets and conducted countless studies, the core issue of property tax reform remains unresolved, leaving voters to take matters into their own hands time and again. This article delves into the history of property tax reform—or the lack thereof—in North Dakota, from failed ballot measures in the early 20th century to the convoluted tax relief efforts of recent years.

Voters Have ALWAYS Had To TRY To Take Their Own Action On Property Taxes

Since as early as 1924, North Dakota voters have sought to rein in property taxes through ballot measures, often in response to legislative inaction. The first significant effort was a proposal to cap property tax revenues at 75% of the 1923 levels. Although it failed, this set the stage for what …