Letter: Thank you Senator Piepkorn for a reduction on my property tax bill.

Opening my estimated property tax bill on Labor Day, I thanked Sen. Merrill Piepkorn for a $416 reduction in my bill. Allow me to explain.

During the meetings of the interim tax committee in 2022, Sen. Piepkorn expressed an interest in helping homeowners deal with increasingly burdensome property taxes. The best solution seemed to be putting some of the state’s huge surpluses to work. Cities, counties and schools rely mostly on property taxes while the state has multiple sources of revenue, including oil.

Merrill studied the issue, went to legislative council and drew up SB 2357 giving a tax break to homeowners based on the property taxes they pay. He introduced it and advocated for it in front of the Senate Tax Committee. I was there and saw the members listen with respect to their moderate, reasonable, personable colleague. It’s a hard truth, but Democratic-NPL legislators don’t generally get to pass important legislation with their names on them. The Senate turned down SB 2357 with six Republicans joining the four Democrats in favor.

The idea of a credit for homeowners didn’t end there. In the closing hours of the Session, the idea resurfaced in conference committee. Sen. Piepkorn’s name wasn’t on the final agreement, but it all started with him. The line on my tax estimate says Primary Residence Credit - $500. After the $84.31 increases in city, county, park district and school taxes, I’ll be paying $416 less for this year’s property taxes. Thank you, Sen. Piepkorn.

Tracy Potter
Bismarck, N.D.