Personal income is up over $1 billion since 2004, the state economy is growing, we’ve added about 4,000 jobs in the last year and unemployment is down.

BISMARCK, N.D. - Tax Commissioner Cory Fong today announced that recently filed state individual income tax returns show record income for North Dakotans. 2005 individual income tax returns report adjusted gross income was up over eight percent for a record $13.563 billion. Adjusted gross income for 2004 state individual income tax returns was $12.516 billion.

“The growth in adjusted gross income is over twice the rate of inflation for the same time,” said Fong. Inflation was 3.4 percent for 2005.

The Tax Department recently completed processing 2005 individual income tax returns that had an extension due date of October 15. For the 2005 tax year, the Tax Department processed over 330,000 individual income tax returns.

“North Dakota is making real progress these days and our economy is growing and expanding,” said Fong. We’ve added thousands of new jobs and we see from the 2005 state individual income tax returns that wages are on the rise.”

Recent reports from Job Service North Dakota show that North Dakota added nearly 4,000 jobs during 2005, suggesting widespread gains in employment and a reduction in the unemployment rate to a moderate 3.4 percent.

“Our economy is expanding,” said Fong. “And it is consistent with good, sound tax policies that have led to solid job growth.”

Earlier this year North Dakota Democrats were holding “had enough” rallies where they asked North Dakotans if they’d had enough of GOP majorities in the state.  Given the above information, I think most North Dakotans would be crazy to say they’ve “had enough.”

Now all we need is a big tax refund and a good, healthy cut in state income taxes to keep this state’s economy rolling.

I’m looking at you, Republicans.