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Wednesday, November 6, 2024

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Trump claims 'powerful mandate' after Fox News projects he has won the US presidency; experts express caution over post-election AI deepfakes; Colorado's housing crisis linked to billionaire investors; Election Day is over; now it's a waiting game.

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Trump wins the White House. Republicans will take over the Senate after flipping several seats, and seem to be on track to hold the House. In spite of bomb threats and charges of fraud, a very high-turnout election mostly went smoothly.

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A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

ND loudly says 'no' to showing most property taxes the door

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Wednesday, November 6, 2024   

North Dakota voters have rejected a closely watched ballot question which called for largely doing away with local property taxes.

Backers of Measure 4, which would have prohibited local governments from levying property taxes based on assessed value, argued North Dakota homeowners are in need of relief. They also said the state takes in enough money to cover lost revenue when removing the option.

Nick Archuleta, president of the teacher's union North Dakota United, part of a coalition opposing Measure 4, said even with the outcome, state lawmakers need to be aggressive about enacting reforms.

"It's very clear that many North Dakotans are upset with their property taxes," Archuleta observed. "The Legislature has some work to do."

Still, the union said it's relieved local communities will retain control at a time when their schools have aging infrastructure needs and teacher recruitment issues. A similar ballot question dealing with property tax elimination was rejected by North Dakota voters in 2012.

Despite the measure failing, Archuleta pointed out North Dakota school districts often struggle to get bond issues passed for building upgrades and other needs and it is about a lot more than just local residents feeling skittish.

"In North Dakota, there's a threshold. You can't pass a bond to build a school or to repair the schools at a large cost with less than 60% of the vote," Archuleta explained. "That's a very high standard to hit. "

He is hopeful certain ideas being floated gain traction when the Legislature reconvenes early next year. They include a recommendation from a coalition of education leaders and school district officials to create a state fund for school facility improvements.

Disclosure: North Dakota United contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Education, and Livable Wages/Working Families. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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