Abolishing Property Taxes

[Zachary Dosch]

In North Dakota, there is a measure that is trying to abolish property taxes and I was just curious as to what everybody's thoughts are regarding this topic.

Im against against it because its a very poorly worded measure and it leaves out how they are going to replace the lost revenue. They think they can replace it though income and tobacco tax (even though it wouldn't come close) but the real reason the proponents of Measure 2 want this done is there is an abundance of tax revenue from the Oil that is being pumped out of western North Dakota (which isn't going to last forever).

Has anybody seen where abolishing property taxes actually worked out? It would save me a huge chunk of change every year and the home values would take an immediate boost but I really feel like the funding for the roads, police department, fire department, and schools isn't something to mess with.

Thoughts?

[James H.]

I know this probably goes against the major grain here, but I think propety taxes are probably one of the best forms of taxes. Even better than income tax form a idealogical point of view (mine at least).Those own more property and use more public services by operating the properties should pay more.

Nathan Emmert, sales tax is regressive. So while you may spend more than someone with a lower income, a poor person spends, by necessity a larger percentage of their income on sales taxed goods than you do. If you are a proponent of everone paying the same percentage of their income regardless of their income (not that you said you were) you should be against sales tax.

If you own 50 houses, and I own 2 houses, damn right you should pay more for maintenance of infrastructure.