Dem-NPL Lawmakers dismiss Burgum Tax Proposal as “Just another giveaway to the wealthy”
After Governor Burgum revealed a proposal relating to income tax today, Democratic-NPL lawmakers expressed doubt that it would provide meaningful relief for North Dakotans, and fear it will further hurt already beleaguered services North Dakotans rely on.
House Minority Leader Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) emphasized, “We support lower taxes for working and middle class families in North Dakota, and supported tax relief in the special session. We are open to discussing support for continued temporary tax relief, while balancing the other priorities facing North Dakotans. We need long-term tax stability to address the issues facing every community in our state. At this point, I don’t think a permanent, flat tax is the answer and is a big gamble with North Dakota’s future.”
Senator Kathy Hogan (D-Fargo) said, “Income Tax is the fairest tax of all for everyone—We already have a low rate and eliminating the infrastructure for income tax simply will jeopardize the long term option for it when oil revenue is gone and will primarily benefit the richest in the state.”
“I’ll work with anyone to lower taxes for hard-working North Dakotans who need it most. But this proposal is just another giveaway to the wealthy. Worse, it fails to address the real problems that keep hard-working North Dakotans up at night. It does nothing to solve the state’s childcare crisis. It does nothing to put or keep more teachers in the classroom. It does nothing to bring down prices at the pump, at the grocery store, or at the pharmacy. And it does nothing to bring down the property taxes that drive seniors from their homes. That’s why this proposal is out of whack and out of touch with middle class families in North Dakota.” said Representative Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks).
Representative Marvin Nelson (D-Rolla) reamed Burgum’s plan, “The Republican plan has continued to be cut taxes, especially for out of state corporations when it booms.Then cut services and drive people out of the state when the bust comes. Despite all the talk, recruiting people to come back has been a horrible failure. This is why your community doesn’t have the necessary daycare capacity. This is why rural North Dakota is left without infrastructure for business and government services. This is why mental health care continues to be ignored. This is why local governments continue to need property tax increases and special assessments. Right now, federal money is funding several state programs the administration is bragging about, no plan exists other than get your vote now and then dump the programs or fail to cut taxes.”
