×

Grandstanding isn’t leadership

Grandstanding, pandering and virtue signaling are some of the least savory aspects of election season, yet they are also certain signs that voting is or soon will be underway.

Look no further than a press conference this week by Rep. Larry Bellew, R-Minot. Flanked by Sen. Oley Larsen, R-Minot, and District 3 Republican House candidate Bob Paulson, Bellew announced he will be introducing two bills in the 2019 session that are designed to give constituents more control over their property taxes. He asserts his reason is “Minot and North Dakotans are fed up with taxes being raised without any consequences to those who raise them.”

Bellew is proposing a bill to limit the increase in property-tax dollars to no more than 3 percent a year without a majority vote of the people. If new properties or properties coming off tax exemption join the tax rolls, the 3 percent would apply beyond the new tax dollars these properties generate. The limit also doesn’t apply to levies necessary to repay debt.

A second bill would enable taxpayers to petition to place a preliminary budget on the ballot. If voters rejected the preliminary budget, the taxing entity could not adopt a final budget that levies more dollars than its current year budget.

Under the guise of providing a more democratic process, the bills instead amount to micromanagement of local government’s primary responsibility. It sets up a steady stream of special elections and handcuffs city and county governments when it comes to the specific needs of their respective communities.

No one wants major tax hikes, but these bills would only shift the funding stream and potentially decimate needed investments. Minot makes minimal use of special assessments, which would necessarily have to be created to fund needs. If the City of Minot had adopted a 2019 budget at the same tax level as the 2018 budget, it would have to delay flood control and the Northwest Area Water Supply Project or cut 74 people from existing staff, which would affect services substantially, according to Minot Mayor Shaun Sipma.

The public has the ability to influence the budget process – by speaking up at meetings and by casting their ballot for preferred candidates. Too few people take advantage of the former and follow the budget process; even fewer are engaged enough to study the complexities of municipal finance.

However, if more direct control of budgets is a desireable outcome, then Minot Daily News suggests the proposed bills aren’t nearly ambitious enough. Perhaps the legislation should be re-written, the Century Code edited, so the state’s budget is determined by a public vote and any increase in taxes and fees also require voter approval.

Think there will be support from lawmakers for that?

Probably not.

It’s much easier to take the temperature of the public and grandstand with absurd policy proposals.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today