The North Dakota House of Representatives today unanimously passed a pay package for state employees which includes a four percent raise in each of the next two years. The state employee pay bill also includes a $10 million equity pool which will be used to further increase salaries for state employees in positions where pay is behind the market rate for their position.“There are state employees on the job 24 hours a day 7 days a week serving the people of North Dakota,” said
Rep. Todd Porter (R – Mandan). “We want to let all of our state employees know how much we appreciate their hard work by putting them first this session.”SB 2189 also fully funded state employee health insurance premiums for the biennium. Projected premiums for state employee health insurance have risen 18.8 percent over levels in the current biennium.
Rep. Dave Weiler (R – Bismarck) said, “When budgets are tight, our state employees often have to wait until the end of the session to find out what their raises may be, or if they will continue to receive fully funded health insurance. This time our employees know right-off-the-bat that they are going to share in the success that our state is seeing as a whole.”
Sponsors of the state employee pay bill include Reps. Weiler, Porter and Lois Delmore (D – Grand Forks) and Sens. Dave Nething (R – Jamestown), Dick Dever (R – Bismarck) and Larry Robinson (D – Valley City). The bill is based on pay and equity levels that Gov. Hoeven included in his executive budget. The will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature.-30-
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
HOUSE REPUBLICANS SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE TAX RELIEF
Includes Property Tax Relief, Elimination of Marriage Penalty, Homestead Credits
Bismarck, N.D. – The House Finance and Taxation Committee has approved a comprehensive tax relief package that includes property tax reductions, elimination of the marriage penalty tax and increased homestead tax credits. HB 1051 received a 8 to 5 do pass recommendation out of the Finance and Taxation committee and will now go to the Appropriations committee before receiving a vote in front of the full House of Representatives.
“The hard work, entrepreneurship and ingenuity of the citizens of North Dakota have put us in a position to give something back to the people,” said Rep. Wes Belter (R – Leonard) chairman of the Finance and Taxation Committee. “This bill is the culmination of ideas brought forth by members of the House and Senate as well as Governor Hoeven.”
The bill provides for a 10 percent reduction in for residential property tax payers and 5 percent for agricultural and commercial property. The bill also ensures that taxpayers have more control over property tax rates by requiring a vote if the local taxing authority wishes to raise spending by more than 3.5 percent. The bill allows exemptions to this provision for growth or annexation as well as emergencies such as a natural disaster.
Examples of average annual saving for various properties under the plan would be as follows:
House valued at $100,000 - $180
House valued at $200,000 - $361
Farm or ranch - $183 (average per section)
Commercial property valued at $150,000 - $150
Commercial property valued at $300,000 - $300
The bill further reduces the property taxes for low income seniors by increasing funding for the homestead property tax credit by 80 percent. Qualifying seniors making up to $10,000 will pay no property taxes, and those making up to $17,000 will be eligible for a partial reduction of their property tax liability in addition to the ten percent reduction that all resident property tax payers will receive.
The bill also includes a provision to eliminate the marriage penalty tax. Currently, many married couples are penalized with a higher tax rate on their personal income tax.
“As legislators it is always important to remember that this money belongs to the people of North Dakota,” said House Majority Leader Rick Berg (R – Fargo). “Returning the peoples money will not only provide much needed relief, it will also stimulate our economy.”
-30-
Bismarck, N.D. – The House Finance and Taxation Committee has approved a comprehensive tax relief package that includes property tax reductions, elimination of the marriage penalty tax and increased homestead tax credits. HB 1051 received a 8 to 5 do pass recommendation out of the Finance and Taxation committee and will now go to the Appropriations committee before receiving a vote in front of the full House of Representatives.
“The hard work, entrepreneurship and ingenuity of the citizens of North Dakota have put us in a position to give something back to the people,” said Rep. Wes Belter (R – Leonard) chairman of the Finance and Taxation Committee. “This bill is the culmination of ideas brought forth by members of the House and Senate as well as Governor Hoeven.”
The bill provides for a 10 percent reduction in for residential property tax payers and 5 percent for agricultural and commercial property. The bill also ensures that taxpayers have more control over property tax rates by requiring a vote if the local taxing authority wishes to raise spending by more than 3.5 percent. The bill allows exemptions to this provision for growth or annexation as well as emergencies such as a natural disaster.
Examples of average annual saving for various properties under the plan would be as follows:
House valued at $100,000 - $180
House valued at $200,000 - $361
Farm or ranch - $183 (average per section)
Commercial property valued at $150,000 - $150
Commercial property valued at $300,000 - $300
The bill further reduces the property taxes for low income seniors by increasing funding for the homestead property tax credit by 80 percent. Qualifying seniors making up to $10,000 will pay no property taxes, and those making up to $17,000 will be eligible for a partial reduction of their property tax liability in addition to the ten percent reduction that all resident property tax payers will receive.
The bill also includes a provision to eliminate the marriage penalty tax. Currently, many married couples are penalized with a higher tax rate on their personal income tax.
“As legislators it is always important to remember that this money belongs to the people of North Dakota,” said House Majority Leader Rick Berg (R – Fargo). “Returning the peoples money will not only provide much needed relief, it will also stimulate our economy.”
-30-
Rep. Lawrence R. Klemin: Driving cell phone bill applies to all
Rep. Lawrence R. Klemin letter:
Driving cell phone bill applies to all
Fargo Forum Friday, February 02, 2007
I am the prime sponsor of House Bill 1196, relating to the use of cell phones while driving. As originally written, the bill would have applied only to minors while operating a motor vehicle while the vehicle was in motion.
A recent article by The Associated Press stating that I had proposed an amendment in the House Transportation Committee that would extend the ban to all drivers regardless of age neglected to mention that the amendment was restricted to “hand-held” cell phones and other “hand-held” wireless communication devices. Under the amendment, the ban would not apply to “hands-free” voice-activated cell phones or similar devices. The bill does not prevent a driver from using a hand-held cell phone in a vehicle as long as the vehicle is not in motion.
A number of recent studies have concluded that the use of cell phones while driving has become an increasing safety concern as drivers are more focused on their conversations or other use of the cell phone than on the traffic. Technology now makes it possible not only to talk on a cell phone but also to text message, send and receive e-mails, watch videos and surf the Internet.
Nationwide statistics are showing thousands of accidents and fatalities due to this distraction, not only for the drivers using the cell phones but also for others on the road. The public has a right to expect that their safety will be protected on the road.
Rep. Lawrence R. Klemin
R.-Bismarck
Driving cell phone bill applies to all
Fargo Forum Friday, February 02, 2007
I am the prime sponsor of House Bill 1196, relating to the use of cell phones while driving. As originally written, the bill would have applied only to minors while operating a motor vehicle while the vehicle was in motion.
A recent article by The Associated Press stating that I had proposed an amendment in the House Transportation Committee that would extend the ban to all drivers regardless of age neglected to mention that the amendment was restricted to “hand-held” cell phones and other “hand-held” wireless communication devices. Under the amendment, the ban would not apply to “hands-free” voice-activated cell phones or similar devices. The bill does not prevent a driver from using a hand-held cell phone in a vehicle as long as the vehicle is not in motion.
A number of recent studies have concluded that the use of cell phones while driving has become an increasing safety concern as drivers are more focused on their conversations or other use of the cell phone than on the traffic. Technology now makes it possible not only to talk on a cell phone but also to text message, send and receive e-mails, watch videos and surf the Internet.
Nationwide statistics are showing thousands of accidents and fatalities due to this distraction, not only for the drivers using the cell phones but also for others on the road. The public has a right to expect that their safety will be protected on the road.
Rep. Lawrence R. Klemin
R.-Bismarck
Thursday, February 01, 2007
"Air Pelosi" - Will America Get to Keep the Frequent Flyer Miles?
Speaker pursues military flights
By Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 1, 2007
The office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pressing the Bush administration for routine access to military aircraft for domestic flights, such as trips back to her San Francisco district, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The sources, who include those in Congress and in the administration, said the Democrat is seeking regular military flights not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation. A knowledgeable source called the request "carte blanche for an aircraft any time."
"They are pressing the point of her succession and that the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs," one source said. The request originally went to the Pentagon, which then asked the White House to weigh in.
Mrs. Pelosi's request is not new for a speaker, who is second-in-line in presidential succession. A defense source said the speaker's regular access to a military plane began after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Rep. J. Dennis Hastert, Illinois Republican, who was speaker at the time, started using U.S. Air Force planes for domestic travel to and from his district for security reasons. A former Hastert aide said the congressman did not use military planes for political trips or regularly transport his family.
The defense source said Mr. Hastert requested a plane with good communications so he could conduct legislative business. The military flights increased to the point the speaker used a military plane for many, if not all, flights to his Illinois district, the former aide said. Sources said Mrs. Pelosi's request goes beyond what Mr. Hastert received. The speaker's legal counsel is spearheading the talks.
Click here to read the rest of this story
By Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 1, 2007
The office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pressing the Bush administration for routine access to military aircraft for domestic flights, such as trips back to her San Francisco district, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The sources, who include those in Congress and in the administration, said the Democrat is seeking regular military flights not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation. A knowledgeable source called the request "carte blanche for an aircraft any time."
"They are pressing the point of her succession and that the [Department of Defense] needs to play ball with the speaker's needs," one source said. The request originally went to the Pentagon, which then asked the White House to weigh in.
Mrs. Pelosi's request is not new for a speaker, who is second-in-line in presidential succession. A defense source said the speaker's regular access to a military plane began after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Rep. J. Dennis Hastert, Illinois Republican, who was speaker at the time, started using U.S. Air Force planes for domestic travel to and from his district for security reasons. A former Hastert aide said the congressman did not use military planes for political trips or regularly transport his family.
The defense source said Mr. Hastert requested a plane with good communications so he could conduct legislative business. The military flights increased to the point the speaker used a military plane for many, if not all, flights to his Illinois district, the former aide said. Sources said Mrs. Pelosi's request goes beyond what Mr. Hastert received. The speaker's legal counsel is spearheading the talks.
Click here to read the rest of this story
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