State of North Dakota Archives: on Tax Reform


Heidi Heitkamp: We need to have a discussion on specific tax breaks

Challenged by a questioner at a town-hall campaign meeting, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp said she'll offer suggestions for cutting federal spending and reducing the national debt during her campaign this fall.

In public appearances, Heitkamp has detailed her objections to a budget-cutting plan offered by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., which potential GOP Senate rival Rick Berg has supported. Ryan's blueprint would reduce tax rates, including those for high-income Americans, and end guaranteed Medicare benefits for younger people once they reach retirement age, Heitkamp said.

It suggests ending some tax breaks, without being specific, Heitkamp said. "None of these (budget plans) are detailed. The problem is, they're all political documents. They're not real budgets. That needs to end, and we need to have a discussion," Heitkamp said. "I will tell you specifically what I think in the budget can work and what can't work."

Source: AP/The Dickinson Press on 2012 N.D. Senate debate May 5, 2012

Heidi Heitkamp: Never eliminate home mortgage deduction

Both candidates mostly ducked a question about which tax loopholes they would close as part of an overall reform plan. Heitkamp said she would "never" support eliminating a tax deduction for interest on home mortgages, and declared she would abolish tax incentives that she said have encouraged companies to export jobs. Both she and Berg said they supported reducing corporate income tax rates
Source: Connecticut Post on 2012 N.D. Senate debate Oct 25, 2012

Jack Dalrymple: Incentives promote job creation in new enterprises

House Bill 1057 enhances North Dakota's angel fund investment tax credit, providing incentives to promote nationwide, private-sector investment in North Dakota's angel fund enterprises. Risk capital is a vital component for growth and entrepreneurial development, and this legislation will enhance North Dakota's job creation opportunities by promoting technology-based private investment and securing sources of risk capital for early stage enterprises looking to grow in North Dakota.
Source: N.D. 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Job Creation" May 16, 2011

Jack Dalrymple: Tax relief to share economic gains with people of ND

With our state economy strong and growing stronger, it's important that the people of North Dakota see a substantial share of our economic gains reflected in their tax bills. Providing tax relief was a priority we shared early on with the Legislative Assembly and it should always be a priority as part of our strategy for economic growth.

I signed into law House Bill 1047, legislation that provides nearly $500 million in property tax relief and income tax relief during the 2011-2013 biennium.

Source: N.D. 2011 gubernatorial press release, "$500 million" Apr 27, 2011

Rick Becker: Flatten and simplify personal income tax

Source: 2016 N.D. Governor campaign website, BeckerForGovernor.com Dec 10, 2015

Doug Burgum: Should adopt the lowest flat-rate income tax in the nation

To make our state a more attractive, affordable place to live and give us an advantage as we compete for workers, we can and should adopt the lowest flat-rate income tax in the nation. The income tax relief plan proposed in our budget will eliminate the state individual income tax for three out of five taxpayers. The remaining income taxpayers will see their liability reduced by roughly one-quarter to one-half, allowing North Dakotans to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.D. legislature Jan 3, 2023

Merrill Piepkorn: Tax relief--but not elimination--for property owners

Source: 2024 N.D. Gubernatorial campaign website Merrill ForND.com Jun 16, 2024

Merrill Piepkorn: Don't pass bill eliminating income tax for mega-wealthy

We need to support public education infrastructure and teacher pay. What about our universities, which have chopped departments and faculty? And please, let's be on guard and not let the Legislature pass a bill that eliminates income tax for the mega-wealthy.
Source: 2024 N.D. Gubernatorial campaign website Merrill ForND.com Jun 16, 2024

  • The above quotations are from State of North Dakota Politicians: Archives.
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2024 Presidential contenders on Tax Reform:
  Candidates for President & Vice-President:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA)
Chase Oliver(L-GA)
Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA)
Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL)
Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH)
Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN)
Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)

2024 presidential primary contenders:
Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE)
N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R)
N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R)
Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R)
S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R)
Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R)
Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN)
Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH)
S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026