North Dakotans went to the polls last night and voted on some measures both statewide and local.  Perhaps the most interesting results for this observer were the voting down of tax measures in Minot, Grand Forks County and Cass County (Fargo).

In Minot voters decided not to divert proceeds to a new community bowl from a 1% sales tax that was established to fund the Northwest Area Water Supply project.  In Grand Forks County voters overwhelmingly (84% vs. 16%) voted down the Home Rule Charter (which would have eventually resulted in a half-cent sales tax increase).  In Cass County voters overwhelmingly (63% vs. 37%) voted down a half-cent sales tax increase which would have sent money to a privately-run board which would then use it for “economic development.”

So what do these three results in three of the state’s most populous areas tell us?  That North Dakotans are tired of taxes.  What should our political leaders then do in response to this fact?  Get behind tax relief.

To hear many political leaders in the state - both Democrat and, sadly enough, Republicans - tell it North Dakotans are just fine with the state’s level of taxation despite a record-setting balance in the state treasury and massive surpluses in the state budget.  These political leaders feel we should keep taxes in the state high to continue to pay for things like economic development.

The truth?  North Dakotans want tax relief, and any politician refusing to address that concern could well pay the consequences at the polls.