Letter to the Editor: Vote no on Measure 4

Dear Editor,

As the election nears, hopefully, we all get to the ballot box for the candidates, but also for the measures before us. I’d like to address Measure 4.

First, I think we can all agree we need property tax relief – and it’s overdue. I’m not sure what that looks like exactly in the future, but it needs to happen. Measure 4, though, isn’t the right approach.

If the measure passes, it would become part of our State Constitution, making it difficult at best to correct or even refine. This really worries me, as there is no clear-cut plan to secure funding for services without property tax and that will leave our rural communities, particularly, in a very tough spot.

I’m no expert on taxes or local government, but I have reached out to those who are to get their thoughts on this measure too. The best quote I heard was, “Property tax is a tax you can see.” The more I think about it, that’s right. Our property taxes help fund our schools, public safety, public works and other community services that we all rely on.

Out-of-state companies and residents pay a significant share of North Dakota property taxes, but Measure 4 would likely give them a free ride, giving them a tax break and redistributing the costs to those of us here. Do we really want that?

Let’s come together and find a path forward for property tax relief. Measure 4 is not that path.

Jeff Schafer

New Rockford

Editor's Note: Per our policy regarding letters to the editor, the publication of this letter has been paid for by Jeff Schafer.