N.D. Governor Kelly Armstrong vows ‘aggressive’ property tax relief and reform
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
“What most people call climate change, we call Tuesday.” With a blend of folksy humor and determined resolve, Governor Kelly Armstrong delivered his first State of the State address, outlining an ambitious agenda focused on property tax reform, addressing mental health challenges, and championing North Dakota’s agricultural and energy sectors. Armstrong’s speech emphasized the state’s resilience and praised residents as the key to meeting any challenges faced by the state: “the people of North Dakota have big hearts and big ideas, and we have always had the courage to try new things.
Property tax reform took center stage, with Armstrong declaring it “No. 1 on our agenda.” Acknowledging the frustration of North Dakotans, he stated, “Our property taxes are too high.” He outlined a multi-pronged approach, including increasing the primary residence credit from $500 to $1,000, creating a dedicated Legacy Fund stream for further relief, and implementing a 3 percent cap on future increases in local property tax budgets. “Buying down property taxes without reform has not worked. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result,” Armstrong said. He emphasized the plan’s sustainability, stating it “will work even if oil is at 55 dollars a barrel and soybeans are at 6 dollars a bushel.”
The Governor also addressed the vital role of agriculture and energy in North Dakota’s economy. “We feed and fuel the world, and we do it better, cheaper and safer than anyone else,” he asserted. Armstrong pledged to be “aggressive in our legal strategy” against federal overreach and emphasized the need to support innovation in the energy sector. “For all of the advancements in energy production - we’re producing 1.2 million barrels per day - we are still leaving over 80 percent of oil in the ground. And if we do things exactly the same way we’re doing them now, we will always leave 80 percent of the oil in the ground,” he explained. He also highlighted the importance of value-added agriculture, citing the example of turning Red River Valley soybeans into renewable diesel. “Continuing to add value to our commodities benefits every farmer and rancher across the state.”
Beyond these key areas, Armstrong announced the creation of a new cabinet position, Commissioner of Recovery and Re-entry, to address mental health and addiction challenges. Referencing his grandmother, Myrt, who dedicated her life to mental health advocacy, he said, “She was the nicest bully I ever knew. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she wasn’t afraid to try new things to help those struggling with their mental health.” He also addressed prison overcrowding, calling for “an approach that’s smart on crime, not soft on crime.”
Armstrong’s speech was peppered with references to North Dakota’s unique character and the resilience of its people. He spoke of the state’s history of risk-takers, from early settlers to modern-day entrepreneurs and farmers. “It’s a huge risk to plant a field in the spring not knowing if you’ll have a crop to harvest in the fall,” he noted. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with tribal partners, stating, “Their challenges are our challenges. Their successes are our successes.”
In closing, Governor Armstrong presented a vision of a state committed to addressing its challenges head-on, while celebrating its unique identity and the “tough” spirit of its people. He concluded, “We are home to the best people on Earth. The State of the State is as resilient as its people.”
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