Whether it’s farmers, working families or small business owners, North Dakotans are united against GOP tax bill
Cramer-supported tax bill takes a beating in North Dakota newspapers
(BISMARCK, ND) – Whether it’s farmers, working families, teachers, or small business owners concerned about their taxes and the federal deficit, North Dakotans are united in their message to North Dakota’s delegation: The GOP tax bill that passed the House and is currently being debated in the Senate does not stand for them. The bill, which was enthusiastically supported by Rep. Kevin Cramer, would raise – not cut – taxes on a whopping 30,000 North Dakota households earning less than $106,000, skyrocket the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion, and increase the cost of health care premiums across the state.
But don’t just take it from us. Here’s a sample of the dozens of North Dakotans who’ve written to their newspapers voicing strong opposition to the GOP tax bill:
Richard Schlosser – Edgeley, ND: “As a farmer, I felt that I had to respond to those politicians who use farmers like me as the reason why the estate tax should be eliminated. The fact of the matter is the tax affects very few family farmers and ranchers in North Dakota, or in any state for that matter.
“North Dakotans, including farmers and ranchers, deserve real reform that simplifies the tax code, eliminates loopholes, makes it more fair and puts money back in the pockets of middle-class families. But instead, we got a false sales pitch about the estate tax to sell a bill that turned out to be a tax hike for many hardworking North Dakotans.”
Curtis Schulz – Bismarck, ND: “Deductions on the chopping block are: sales and income tax, property taxes, medical expenses including insurance premiums, self-pay nursing home care including insurance premiums. As a senior citizen, this really concerns me. I fail to see the huge benefit for the middle class as promised.”
Arlette Preston – Fargo, ND: “We need a business environment which encourages entrepreneurship and business growth on Main Street in North Dakota. Our focus should be on individuals and small businesses. This tax bill tilts the benefits to large corporations. That’s why I stand with a majority of small business owners opposing these bills.”
Lisa and Greg Cook – Mapleton, ND: “From a tax standpoint, instead of offering permanent tax cuts like the ones larger corporations will receive, small businesses like ours are being offered the short end of the stick, with tax cuts for middle-income earners – many of whom are small business owners – ending after 10 years. Rather than getting rid of the uncertainty, this tax bill will just add to it. It will make it harder for us, and other North Dakota small businesses, to grow.”
Lisa Dullum – West Fargo, ND: “I am disappointed in Rep. Kevin Cramer’s support of the recent House bill, which would remove the tax deductions so many teachers like me count on when we buy school supplies for our classrooms. This tax deduction of $250 merely skims the surface of what teachers spend on supplies, snacks or milk money for our students. Teachers pick up the extra costs because schools can’t afford to provide them due to budget cuts and funding shortfalls.
“Adding insult to injury, the bill would actually increase taxes for 30,000 middle-class North Dakota Families who earn less than $106,000 per year. Families who North Dakota teachers have helped educate for many generations. How does increasing taxes help our families and children prosper?”
Lizzette Cambron – Fargo, ND: “The proposed tax reform will increase my taxes over 300 percent. I cannot afford that, plus my education, plus health care, plus living expenses. My tuition waiver is what keeps me at NDSU. I work hard for NDSU in exchange for my tuition waiver.”
Tom Osowski – Minot, ND: “How can Rep. Cramer classify the handful of big donor Republicans as anything other than a “special interest” group? And boy, do the Republicans ever come through for them.”
Carla Hess – Grand Forks, ND: “While the middle class is shrinking, our infrastructure is falling apart, young people can’t afford college or college debts and 28 million people have no health insurance. Do we really need to give billions of dollars in tax breaks to the very richest people and big corporations in this country for them to pocket?”
Waylon Hedegaard – Bismarck, ND: “The average working person is disregarded, while the wealthy and the corporations have an open door to Congress. This is a terrible way to govern. This is putting corporations over working people, the wealthy over the middle class and special interests over democracy. In strong democracy, winning a battle should never take precedence over governing.”
Charles Linderman – Jamestown, ND: “We should not pass on more federal debt to our children and grandchildren so the wealthiest on the planet can pay less taxes.”
Krisanna Peterson – Bismarck, ND: “I am requesting an explanation on why big businesses and wealthy individuals are more important than the youth and families of our state.”
Lisa and Greg Cook – Mapleton, ND: “From a tax standpoint, instead of offering permanent tax cuts like the ones larger corporations will receive, small businesses like ours are being offered the short end of the stick, with tax cuts for middle-income earners – many of whom are small business owners – ending after 10 years. Rather than getting rid of the uncertainty, this tax bill will just add to it. It will make it harder for us, and other North Dakota small businesses, to grow.”
Lisa Dullum – West Fargo, ND: “I am disappointed in Rep. Kevin Cramer’s support of the recent House bill, which would remove the tax deductions so many teachers like me count on when we buy school supplies for our classrooms. This tax deduction of $250 merely skims the surface of what teachers spend on supplies, snacks or milk money for our students. Teachers pick up the extra costs because schools can’t afford to provide them due to budget cuts and funding shortfalls.
“Adding insult to injury, the bill would actually increase taxes for 30,000 middle-class North Dakota Families who earn less than $106,000 per year. Families who North Dakota teachers have helped educate for many generations. How does increasing taxes help our families and children prosper?”
Lizzette Cambron – Fargo, ND: “The proposed tax reform will increase my taxes over 300 percent. I cannot afford that, plus my education, plus health care, plus living expenses. My tuition waiver is what keeps me at NDSU. I work hard for NDSU in exchange for my tuition waiver.”
Tom Osowski – Minot, ND: “How can Rep. Cramer classify the handful of big donor Republicans as anything other than a “special interest” group? And boy, do the Republicans ever come through for them.”
Carla Hess – Grand Forks, ND: “While the middle class is shrinking, our infrastructure is falling apart, young people can’t afford college or college debts and 28 million people have no health insurance. Do we really need to give billions of dollars in tax breaks to the very richest people and big corporations in this country for them to pocket?”
Waylon Hedegaard – Bismarck, ND: “The average working person is disregarded, while the wealthy and the corporations have an open door to Congress. This is a terrible way to govern. This is putting corporations over working people, the wealthy over the middle class and special interests over democracy. In strong democracy, winning a battle should never take precedence over governing.”
Charles Linderman – Jamestown, ND: “We should not pass on more federal debt to our children and grandchildren so the wealthiest on the planet can pay less taxes.”
Krisanna Peterson – Bismarck, ND: “I am requesting an explanation on why big businesses and wealthy individuals are more important than the youth and families of our state.”
