GNDC opposes North Dakota Measure no. 4

(Arik Spencer/GNDC) – At first glance, the idea of eliminating property taxes might seem appealing—it promises savings and relief. But as someone who has seen the long-term impacts of ill-conceived policies, I can tell you that Measure 4 is a broken path forward.

We’ve run the numbers. This measure will leave a $1.5 billion hole in our budget every year. There is no clear plan for how we’ll cover that shortfall, and the consequences could be disastrous. Schools, roads, public safety, and other essential services—especially in rural areas—will suffer. These are the services that help attract and retain a talented workforce, something we know is already a challenge in our state.

I’ve heard proponents say that no funding will be lost. They’re wrong. Whether it’s inflation or the next natural disaster, the 2024 funding levels they’re banking on won’t hold up. And while they claim communities can make up for lost revenue with new taxes and fees, they conveniently forget that local governments don’t have the authority to raise those funds without the legislature stepping in. Additionally, are we okay for swapping one tax for another?

Here’s the reality: businesses and homeowners alike rely on the stability that property taxes provide. Commercial properties, for example, contribute $459 million annually—that’s 33% of the total. Homeowners pitch in another $513 million. This isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about the services that make our towns and cities home.

At GNDC, we opposed a similar measure in 2012, and North Dakotans overwhelmingly rejected it. I hope we do the same this time around. We were one of the first organizations to join the Keep It Local North Dakota Coalition, a group of over 100 local organizations. While these organizations have diverse missions, we all agree that Measure 4 is a bad idea.

I urge you to think carefully about the real costs of Measure 4. Let’s look beyond a quick fix that is too good to be true; let’s plan for the real future of our state. Vote NO on Measure 4—our state’s success depends on it.

Arik Spencer

President & CEO

Greater North Dakota Chamber (Bismarck)