Say Anything Blog

Nice job Rob. Fast moving, good points all in all, and a number of blog plugs done by the host.

It’s worth a listen.

Rob

I agree with many of your philosophical views, but to be credible, you need to make sure you get your facts straight.

Governor John Hoeven and the North Dakota Legislature passed the largest tax relief package in North Dakota history.

You commented that you hadn’t seen anything from property tax relief that passed in the last session. Well, you won’t see it in your property tax bill, because it is an income tax credit, which you will see when you file next year. If your local property taxes are going up, you better go after your local elected officials, not the state – the NDGOP gave taxpayers back $120 million.

North Dakota’s ongoing spending only increased an average of 7% per year.

You love to use the 24% increase number, but North Dakota has a two-year budgeting cycle. The truth is, using the more common annual increase comparison, North Dakota’s budget went up 12%. 5% went to one time expenses like the new software purchases and building maintenance. 7% went to ongoing expenses. A large percentage of the new money went to cities, counties and schools, not into state program spending. If taxpayers hold local elected officials accountable, this new money should help keep local taxes lower. If not, deal with them.

Governor Hoeven has done a great job and should be re-elected.

I realize you are not a Republican, but you must be crazy to suggest that the Republicans eat our own. All we are left with is the Democrats and do you really think it would be better? Of course not! Those of us who were here when the Democrats controlled all state government remember declining population, higher taxes and little hope. Today, our state is finally joining the world economy. We have 25,000 more jobs, wages are increasing faster than the national average, almost every segment of the economy is booming (not just oil) and the state is poised to do great things including continuing to cut your taxes.

I understand and appreciate your philosophical issues, but make sure you use facts to evaluate the Governor and Legislature, not just rhetoric, demagogy and sensational hype. That is what we get from Ed Schultz.