Contact:  Dustin Gawrylow  - (701) 223-9887

For Immediate Release
June 11th, 2008

Voters Defeat Proposed Sales Tax Increases, Taxpayers Big Winners 

BISMARCK - Yesterday, the voters of the two largest counties in North Dakota sent a clear and loud message to local officials - "No New Taxes."

Grand Forks County voters overwhelmingly rejected the Home Rule Charter and the attached half-cent sales tax (16% Yes, 84% No).

Cass County voters decisively defeated the proposed "economic development" half-cent sales tax increase (37% Yes, 63% No).

"These election results prove once again that when given the chance to vote on tax increases, the people will decline paying more taxes," state policy director Dustin Gawrylow said.  "We hope that local officials realize that new taxes and new programs are not what the people want.  Local voters are concerned with property taxes and any new local sales tax increase should be coupled with local property tax decreases."

Voters in Minot also rejected the idea of diverting the Northwest Area Water Supply sales tax to fund a football stadium.

"Voters want the chance to vote on tax issues.  The voters of Cass and Grand Forks counties have now declared - taxes are high enough, thank you," Gawrylow concluded.