03043 Income tax 4-16-15 ddt
The state Senate has killed a bill to give further individual and corporate income tax relief.
First, the bill was amended from a $150 million tax relief bill to $33 million. Those who spoke against the relief bill say North Dakotans want property tax relief, not income tax cuts – and they say the $33 million could be used other places to shore up things like education and human service budgets.
Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) says over the past several sessions, the income tax has been reduced by more than 40 percent.
“We have done our job on tax relief in the property realm," said Holmberg. "Let's take a a two year break on theses other two areas.”
But Sen. Joe Miller (R-Park River) argued in favor of cutting income taxes.
“The most responsible thing we could be doing in a down economy like we have in the state of North Dakota right now is cutting taxes and reigning-in spending," Miller said. "And what I'm hearing from this body right now is the exact opposite.”
The measure failed 13 to 33.