Taxpayer Group Appreciates Candidate Mathern's Tax Plan

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 8th, 2008                                   Contact: Dustin Gawrylow, (701) 223-9887

Taxpayer Group Appreciates Candidate Mathern’s Tax Plan

Bismarck, N.D. – Today, Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota reacted to the newly released billion dollar tax cut by State Senator Tim Mathern, Democratic candidate for Governor of North Dakota.

“We are glad to see the torchbearers of both parties have come to the same conclusion that we came to in the Summer of 2007 – that the surplus should be returned to the citizens who helped create it in the form of income tax rate reductions,” state policy director Dustin Gawrylow at Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota said.  “While both Governor Hoeven and Candidate Mathern’s plan include large property tax provisions, each have recognized that the income tax helped create the surplus and must factor into any proposal.”

Candidate Mathern’s plan includes a 75% cut on income tax rates on income up to $78,850, and a 50% cut on income tax rate for income from that point to $164,550.

 “Neither the Governor’s $500 million package nor Candidate Mathern’s $1 billion package addresses North Dakota’s poor ranking on the corporate tax which is the 17th highest in the nation,” Gawrylow continued.  “We must improve North Dakota’s business climate in the global economy when we are talking about tax cuts.  Only Measure #2 addresses our tax competitiveness with regards to business development.”

Mathern’s plan also extends the Homestead Tax Credit to all North Dakotans, which will help to mitigate the increases in property tax valuation which have led to the current property tax situation.

“It’s an interesting proposal.  It, like the Governor’s plan would still have to pass the legislature.  We’re just thrilled that whether Measure #2 passes, Governor Hoeven is re-elected, or Candidate Mathern is elected, the taxpayers will have advocates debating about just how large the tax cut should be, rather than if there should be one at all.” Gawrylow concluded “Of course, rather than taking their chances on whether the next legislature will actually enact either of these proposals, taxpayers should just support Measure # 2 on Nov. 4 and guarantee themselves tax relief next year.”