In Case You Missed It ... Minot Daily News: Jaeger, Fong Should Be Re-Elected

Jaeger, Fong should be re-elected
Oct. 25, 2006
Minot Daily News

Incumbents in any political race usually have several advantages, including name recognition and more money in the bank. Challengers face the often daunting task of convincing voters that the incumbent has done something wrong and doesn’t deserve to be re-elected.Such is the case with the races for North Dakota tax commissioner and secretary of state.•

Cory Fong has been tax commissioner since being appointed in June 2005. He is being challenged by Brent Edison. Since Fong took office, corporate tax collections are up, the department processed a record number of tax filings and the department is roughly $1 million under budget in implementing its Integrated Tax System. Those are significant successes. Edison says he would use the office as more of a bully pulpit, and says the tax commissioner should do more in presenting tax policy alternatives to the legislature. Both candidates say out-of-state corporations should pay their fair share of taxes, and both would like to continue to upgrade the system for online filing. We think Fong’s done a fine job in his short time in office, and we expect him to be a stronger voice on tax policy in his next term. The Minot Daily News endorses Cory Fong for tax commissioner.

• Al Jaeger has been secretary of state for 13 years. His opponent, Kristin Hedger, has made a point of hammering Jaeger about the accuracy in the election process. She says any electronic system is susceptible to software problems or glitches. Jaeger has consistently responded that election software must already be independently tested, and that the state already conducts its own thorough testing of the equipment. It seems to be Hedger’s only issue of late, and we think Jaeger has adequately addressed those concerns. Jaeger has done a good job in office, and we don’t think Hedger’s main concern – the reliability of our electronic voting system – has been a problem. The Minot Daily News endorses Al Jaeger for secretary of state.

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