Rauschenberger to resign as ND tax commissioner

North Dakota Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger has notified Gov. Burgum that he will resign his position effective Jan. 3^rd.

Authorities say Rauschenberger was jailed on Monday after Bismarck police responded to a disturbance at a local hotel and found that he was too drunk to take care of himself.

Police say Rauschenberger, who has a history of alcohol problems, was waiting to check into a clean room when he entered a room that wasn’t cleaned, shut the door and refused to answer cleaning staff.

A police report says officers found him “passed out, face down on the bed.”

Rauschenberger is a 38-year-old Republican. He has been tax commissioner for the past seven years.

Four years ago, Rauschenberger was arrested for DUI after he was stopped by the highway patrol. He apologized and later pleaded guilty.

Last August, he was cited for open container in Bismarck.

In 2014, Rauschenberger took a temporary unpaid leave of absence citing his decision to seek professional help for alcohol issues.

In a statement today (Tue). Burgum said:

“We are deeply grateful to Ryan for his dedicated and effective service to the citizens of North Dakota for more than 13 years, and the First Lady and I applaud him for having the courage to take the steps necessary to prioritize his recovery, health and well-being.”

As required by state law, Burgum will appoint a tax commissioner to serve the remainder of Rauschenberger’s term, which expires at the end of 2022.

(KNOX/ND PPR/AP)