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Many North Dakotans need more than tax cuts

As a former North Dakota Tax Commissioner and Director of the Department of Management and Budget, I was unimpressed with the pattern of expenditures that evolved from the recent special session of the legislature. Since both houses passed the income tax measure, the legislators of both parties can share the blame for this fiscal misstep. The measure passed unanimously in the House and by a vote in the Senate of 40-7. Governor Douglas Burgum said the income tax rebate of up to $350 a year will be putting money back into the pockets of hardworking North Dakotans. He forgot that much ...

Special session a win for taxpayers and North Dakota’s future

After one week, the special session of the North Dakota Legislature is over. But the incredible opportunity and potential unleashed in those five days is just beginning. Major investments in infrastructure, workforce, economic development, health care, education and other priorities will benefit North Dakotans right now and for generations to come. Prior to the special session, we outlined Accelerate ND, a plan to cut taxes, diversify our economy, avoid inflation and create long-term cost savings for citizens – all without growing government. Thanks to strong alignment with ...

At least they didn’t spend it all

The special legislative session is over. The repeated phrase amongst conservatives seems to be, “Well, I guess it could have been worse.” Noteworthy topics include spending, tax relief, COVID mandates, and Critical Race Theory. The highlights follow. SPENDING: We spent about $1B and left a little on the table. I guess that means the Republican supermajority spent a little less than Democrats would have. Most of the spending was in a single bill, which is problematic, because it leaves legislators wondering if they should vote yes because of the good parts, or no because of the bad ...

Virginia warns Dems of off-year sweep

The defeat of incumbent Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe in Virginia is a precursor of the 2022 election when Democrats better expect that normal off-year shift against an incumbent president. While Democrats have gloried in winning the House, Senate and Presidency, they may have thought that Democrats would continue to ride high when President Biden rewarded all of the minorities with programs they have wanted for years. Huge 2020 Turnout But it took the largest turnout of the present century for the Democrats to win the policy branches of government in 2020. This ...

All veterans deserve honor on Veterans Day

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 marked the Armistice that brought an end to World War I. The United States would make that day, Nov. 11, a national holiday to honor and remember those who served our nation in military service. In Canada, this day is known as Remembrance Day, when their citizens honor those who lost their lives in military service. Veterans Day can bring mixed emotions. It’s a time to celebrate courage, to mourn loss, and to remember what we wish had never happened and hope will never happen again. We can look to America’s ...

Other topics of interest in special session

The North Dakota legislature is now in special session. The single thing they must do is address the decennial redrawing of legislative districts. Governor Burgum has called for a special session to do that, and also to quickly spend a billion dollars of federal ARPA money. It seems many people have bought into the idea that we must spend that money right now, despite the fact that the money isn’t required to be spent until the end of 2026. I guess it’s just too exciting to spend it all in a whirlwind, one-week session as the Governor wants, rather than in a deliberative manner ...