Fargo, ND - Property taxpayers in Cass County who are frustrated with the taxes they are paying should take a close look at Americans for Prosperity's Truth In Taxation Study, made public today, 13 February, 2008.

“There is one indisputable fact that emerges: continued spending at the local levels of government at two and three times the rate of inflation are the real causes of higher and higher property taxes. There is nothing the state can do that will solve the problem of local officials spending more money each year than taxpayers can afford.  The state and federal governments have nearly doubled per pupil spending.  The money doesn't seem to be enough and even all the new money, especially in the case of education, isn't going to the kids and teachers anyway.  A higher and higher percentage of it is going to non-classroom expenditures, even though there are declining enrollments,” said State Director, Duane Sand.

Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota supports local control in education and other municipal matters, and encourages local policy making elected officials that receive state and federal funding over an above the accepted rate of inflation to pass along that additional revenue in the form of savings to local property taxpayers.

“In an era of declining populations and declining school enrollments, local officials must keep the principle of parity in mind.  In the case of Fargo, we see that the federal government has contributed 300% more funding, local taxpayers have contributed 130% more, and state taxpayers have contributed 46% more – all while there are now 8% less students – it is clear that the one thing lacking in this formula is parity.  Taxpayers deserve to know why it costs them twice as much to educate their children as it did 12 years ago.  They also deserve to know why it costs $2,000 more to educate a child in Fargo than in West Fargo.” said State Director, Duane Sand.

Click here to view the whole report.