Fact-checking Measure 4: About That "82% Out-Of-State Ownership" Claim

Intellecual honesty is not fairing well in the Measure 4 debate as the Association of Counties takes a "less-than-intellectually-honest" approach to opposing Measure 4, while using your tax dollars.

(Disclaimer: The North Dakota Watchdog Network has not and will not endorse Measure 4, however, documenting and reminding the voters of the inaction by the legislature to pass meaningful and sustainable reforms in the last 12+ years is an important layer of the discussion. As is reminding the voters that the organizations that oppose Measure 4 are the same organizations that have stood in the way meaningful and sustainable reforms in the past.)

Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics

One of the big claims by the opposition to Measure 4 is a claim that is being interpreted as “82% of taxes are paid by out of state property owners”.

Over the weekend, I was sent a screenshot of a Facebook post from a page managed by Nelson County, ND (it’s not clear who actually runs it for Nelson County).

This Facebook post states quote: “Out-of-state companies currently pay 82% of the property taxes”, and it cites the North Dakota Association of Counties as the source.