A Democratic lawmaker wants to change the state Constitution – to allow direct payments to North Dakotans.
Rep. Marvin Nelson (D-Rolla) says his idea is to take the excess oil tax money – that is, whatever comes in over the forecast – and write checks directly to North Dakotas, rather than pass tax cuts.
"My idea is, we could leave the taxes the same," said Nelson. "People would know where they're at. And we'd be a lot like a co-op, where we say, 'We have excess earnings, and here's your money back.'"
But when asked if he has much support for this among fellow legislators,
"No," said Nelson. "Not in the Legislature. A lot on the streets."
Nelson says it’s patterned after Alaska law – where residents get a share of oil taxes.
If it would pass the Legislature, it would be on the 2016 ballot.