ND lawmakers favor local property tax breaks

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota lawmakers say local governments should be able to keep granting property tax breaks.

A proposal to abolish the property tax breaks was voted down Tuesday in the Legislature's interim Taxation Committee.

Minot state Rep. Roscoe Streyle supported the measure. He says parts of it will be introduced in the Legislature next year anyway.

The bill sought to abolish property tax breaks that local governments can give. It eliminated renaissance zones, tax increment financing and property tax exemptions for new home construction.

Streyle says the incentives aren't needed, and they shift the burden of property taxes to other taxpayers.

Dickinson Rep. Shirley Meyer and Fargo Rep. Jim Kasper defended the tax breaks. They say the renaissance zone incentives have helped to transform downtown Fargo.