GRAND FORKS - Last fall, when state Sen. JoNell Bakke, D-Grand Forks, was campaigning for her seat in the North Dakota Senate, she pledged to work for property tax relief. This week, however, she abandoned the hope of property tax relief for all and instead voted for the homestead tax credit, which would have given property tax relief to those earning $45,000 or less.
Sens. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks; Connie Triplett, D-Grand Forks; Nick Hacker, R-Grand Forks; and Art Behm, D-Niagara, realized that real property tax relief is needed for middle-class property owners, too. They opposed the amendment so that everyone, not only a few, in Grand Forks could get a tax break.
What a shame that Bakke pledged to work for property tax relief and then voted for the plan that would have given no relief to the middle class.
Duaine Espegard
Espegard, a Republican, represented District 43 in the North Dakota Senate from 2000 to 2004. He was defeated for re-election by Bakke in November.
