Measure would abolish ND property taxes in 2012

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A proposed constitutional amendment would abolish property taxes in North Dakota, starting in 2012.

The measure says the Legislature would have to replace local governments' property tax income with state tax revenues. Lawmakers would have to come up with a method for providing state funds to local governments.

Backers of the measure submitted an initiative petition to Secretary of State Al Jaeger's office on Wednesday. Jaeger will review the proposal and approve the petition for circulation.

The measure will need almost 26,000 petition signatures by Aug. 4 to get on the November ballot.

Robert Hale of Minot is one of the measure's sponsors. He says the property tax is the most unfair type of tax and getting rid of it will promote economic growth.

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