Plain Talk

"I plan to raise in excess of $1.5 million for this."

That's what state Rep. Rick Becker said on this episode of Plain Talk. He was describing a nascent campaign behind a new initiated measure to end North Dakota property taxes.

The plan is to rely on donations from North Dakotans. Becker says he's asking supporters to cut a check for 20 percent of their property tax bill.

The campaign has $100,000 in pledges so far.

North Dakota voters have considered this before. In 2012 a constitutional amendment ending property taxes went down in flames, with over 76 percent of voters casting a ballot against it.

"We had an opportunity in 2012 and we let it go by," Becker said, arguing that the previous iteration of this proposal didn't give lawmakers enough time to adjust to a tax environment in which they cannot rely on property taxes. Becker says that, among other problems, is why a "fear" campaign from opponents was successful.

He said the 2012 campaign didn't have enough answers for curious voters. "When you're up against a campaign of fear you have to have answers."

Becker's proposal, if passed, wouldn't be implemented until 2022, giving lawmakers time to meet and iron out any issues.

Would this mean other taxes would have to go up? Becker says no, that the revenues could largely come from money the state is already spending.

He notes that in 2012 an argument against ending property taxes is that it would put the state 100 percent in charge of school funding, forcing local officials to come begging to lawmakers in Bismarck for funding."When we voted on this in 2012 the state paid 50 percent of school funding," he said. Since then, "the state started paying for 80 percent of school funding."

This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Much of the political and news media response to the coronavirus outbreak is "distasteful cheerleading for a health disaster."

That's what Senator Kevin Cramer said on this episode of Plain Talk.

Condemning a recent New York Times piece referring to coronavirus as "Trump's virus," Cramer said, "I don't there's any question some of the response is political."

He does see a silver lining in the situation. "We're getting to see what the best health care system in the world looks like," he said. "So far there haven't been any deaths in the United States."

Cramer also talked about the infighting among Democratic 2020 candidates and President Trump's recent visit to India.

This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Much of the political and news media response to the coronavirus outbreak is "distasteful cheerleading for a health disaster."

That's what Senator Kevin Cramer said on this episode of Plain Talk.

Condemning a recent New York Times piece referring to coronavirus as "Trump's virus," Cramer said, "I don't there's any question some of the response is political."

He does see a silver lining in the situation. "We're getting to see what the best health care system in the world looks like," he said. "So far there haven't been any deaths in the United States."

Cramer also talked about the infighting among Democratic 2020 candidates and President Trump's recent visit to India.

This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rep. Steve Vetter is a Republican from District 18 in Grand Forks. He was one of the Republican candidates elected in blue districts in North Dakota during the Trump wave of 2016.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Vetter talks about how he won in a traditionally blue district, what he's done since winning, and how he'll convince voters to give him another four years in office.

This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rep. Steve Vetter is a Republican from District 18 in Grand Forks. He was one of the Republican candidates elected in blue districts in North Dakota during the Trump wave of 2016.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Vetter talks about how he won in a traditionally blue district, what he's done since winning, and how he'll convince voters to give him another four years in office.

This episode brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

North Dakota Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, a Republican, is seeking re-election to a third term. In this episode, she talks about what she's accomplished, and what she'd still like to accomplish.

This episode is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

North Dakota Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, a Republican, is seeking re-election to a third term. In this episode, she talks about what she's accomplished, and what she'd still like to accomplish.

This episode is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

"We need to make sure that coal is treated fairly," Senator John Hoeven says on this episode of Plain Talk.

He talks about the struggles the North Dakota coal industry is facing, and what policies can be put in place to make the energy markets fairer.

This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

"We need to make sure that coal is treated fairly," Senator John Hoeven says on this episode of Plain Talk.

He talks about the struggles the North Dakota coal industry is facing, and what policies can be put in place to make the energy markets fairer.

This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by Americans for Prosperity of North Dakota.

Rob and Jay talk about the upcoming deadline to get your Real ID.