North Dakota senator wants look at property tax exemptions

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The chairman of the North Dakota Senate's tax committee is questioning property tax exemptions for hospitals, churches and other nonprofit groups.

Mandan Sen. Dwight Cook says organizations that don't pay property taxes should have to contribute something for city and county services.

Cook says exempt organizations get police and fire protection and street maintenance without paying property taxes to support them.

Changing this would require amending the North Dakota Constitution.

The constitution exempts schools, churches and charitable groups from having to pay property taxes.

Cook says there should be a public debate about ways to make North Dakota's property tax system more fair.

Property taxes have gotten more attention because of a ballot initiative that would abolish them. Measure 2 will be voted on Tuesday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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