Tax Proposal at the Capitol - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Tax Proposal at the Capitol

You've heard it numerous times over the last few years...North Dakota is sitting on a staggering budget surplus -- and it is only expected to grow.

That has some lawmakers in Bismarck proposing legislation to reduce the taxes citizens pay.

Perry Olson visited with a Minot Representative this week at the Capitol in Bismarck about his plan that would suspend income tax for the next two years...and maybe more.

Numerous tax related bills will work their way through these halls over the next several weeks...but one proposed by Minot Republican Scott Louser is generating some early buzz...

(Rep. Scott Louser - (R) Minot) "The bill is a simple suspension of the personal income tax for two years." (Rep. Scott Louser - (R) Minot) "I really think that if we can show evidence to the Legislature two years from now that the tax isn't needed, then we can eliminate the tax."

He calls the bill responsible...and hopes the full body is receptive to it -- not jumping to full elimination immediately, rather a suspension...and go from there.

(Rep. Scott Louser - (R) Minot) "It is bold...and it is aggressive...but it is a step in the right direction and I think it is responsible to attempt it for two years and see where it leads."

House Bill 1182 is one of many dealing with the taxes citizens pay...but when it comes to personal income tax, it is hard to go any further than this. Louser says he has received lots of support from both Representatives and Senators...but knows his idea isn't the only one out there.

(Rep. Scott Louser - (R) Minot) "There are other proposals. There will be corporate tax proposals...reductions in corporate taxes. There will also be a number of property tax issues that a lot of people have talked about. This bill strictly talks about personal income tax. I as well as others will have property tax proposals."

Whether or not his bill gets the green light remains to be seen...but he's confident major tax reform is coming.

(Rep. Scott Louser - (R) Minot) "One way or another we are going to see a reduction in the income taxes for the citizens."

Louser expects his bill to be heard in the House Finance and Tax committee within the next few weeks. At the Capitol, Perry Olson, KX News.

Louser's call to suspend personal income tax in the state isn't the only plan across the country to do so.

Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana has proposed the elimination of personal and corporate income tax in his state...and just this week the Governor of Nebraska did the same thing.

Louser's bill has three co-sponsors...two senators and a fellow representative.