Say Anything Blog

The North Dakota Chamber of Commerce (which, I’d remind readers, opposed the Measure 2 tax cuts which would have let North Dakotans keep more of their own money and forced the state government to limit spending increases due to our balanced budget requirements) has come out and voiced some concern over proposed statewide spending.

BISMARCK, N.D. - The president of the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce says a major legislative issue for the state’s business community is the level of state spending.
Dave MacIver says he does not want to see North Dakota go through what it did in the late 1980s, when the economy slowed and programs had to be cut. He worries that taxes might have to be raised to continue the level of state spending.

MacIver says business groups will be watching to see what the Legislature does.

Where were these guys during the election?  The Chamber of Commerce is supposed to represent businesses in the state.  Measure 2 would have given businesses a 15% cut in state income taxes, and because of the state’s balanced budget requirements would have also required the state to limit spending.

The Chamber joined forces with the big government people to knee-cap a measure to promote fiscal responsibility and prosperity in the state then, once the election is over, turns around and starts worrying about spending.

I wonder if the Chamber is really worried about spending in general, or just worried that the state isn’t going to spend enough on what they want.