ND property tax opponents outspent on campaign

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Foes of North Dakota property taxes have a huge financial disadvantage in their campaign.

North Dakotans will vote next week on Measure 2, which is a constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes.

Campaign finance reports say that backers of the measure have raised almost $22,000 in donations. The measure's opponents have raised almost $600,000.

The North Dakota Association of Realtors gave $103,000 to fight Measure 2. The National Education Association has contributed $100,000, and the North Dakota Education Association has put in $75,000.

North Dakota's Chamber of Commerce has contributed $81,000 to the anti-Measure 2 effort.

Some Grand Forks hotels are supporting the move to abolish property taxes. Four hotels gave $2,000 each to a pro-Measure 2 committee called Empower the Taxpayer.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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