Current:Home > MarketsNorth Dakota measures would end local property taxes and legalize recreational marijuana-LoTradeCoin
North Dakota measures would end local property taxes and legalize recreational marijuana
View Date:2024-12-23 20:41:20
Follow live: Updates from AP’s coverage of the presidential election.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota voters could outlaw most local property taxes, likely leading to dramatic cuts in state services, under a measure on Tuesday’s general election ballot.
The ballot also includes four other proposals, including one calling for the legalization of recreational marijuana and another to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution.
The measure to end local property taxes based on assessed value would force the state to provide an estimated $3.15 billion in replacement revenue to local governments during each two-year budget, according to a legislative panel. The state now forecasts about $5 billion in general tax revenues in the current two-year budget.
Supporters of the proposed cut say rising property taxes are increasingly frustrating to voters and that the taxation system is hard to understand. Opponents say the measure would force legislators to make huge cuts to state services.
Marijuana is also on the ballot, as North Dakota voters decide whether to legalize recreational possession and use of the drug. North Dakota is one of a handful of states, including Florida and South Dakota, where recreational marijuana measures were going before voters. Two dozen states have legalized recreational marijuana, the most recent being Ohio in 2023.
North Dakota voters rejected past measures in 2018 and 2022. The state’s Senate defeated two House-passed bills for legalization and taxation in 2021.
The measure would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and older to use at their homes and, if permitted, on others’ private property. The measure also outlines numerous production and processing regulations, prohibited uses — such as in public or in vehicles — and would allow home cultivation of plants.
It includes maximum purchase and possession amounts of 1 ounce of dried leaves or flowers, 4 grams of a cannabinoid concentrate, 1,500 milligrams of total THC in the form of a cannabis product and 300 milligrams of an edible product. Up to seven marijuana manufacturing operations would be allowed along with 18 dispensaries.
Supporters say the measure would allow law enforcement to focus limited resources on more important issues, such as fentanyl. Opponents say marijuana has harmful physiological and societal effects.
Voters also will decide whether to add requirements for citizen-initiated constitutional measures. Such initiatives have been a smoldering issue in the Legislature for years over the perception that the state constitution is too easy to amend.
The measure referred by the Legislature would limit constitutional initiatives to a single subject, mandate that only eligible voters may circulate and sign initiative petitions, raise the number of required signatures for submitting petitions, and require that such measures pass both the primary and general elections.
Republican state Sen. Janne Myrdal, who introduced the measure, said the state constitution is “standing naked on Main Street in North Dakota, and anyone ... from California or New York can throw a dart and play the game for $1 million to change the law in North Dakota.”
Myrdal, an anti-abortion leader in the Legislature, denied that the measure is an effort to head off an abortion rights initiative. States around the country — including North Dakota’s neighbors Montana and South Dakota — are seeing the introduction of such measures after the fall of Roe v. Wade.
The 2024 election is here. This is what to know:
- Complete coverage: The latest Election Day updates from our reporters.
- Election results: Know the latest race calls from AP as votes are counted across the U.S.
- Voto a voto: Sigue la cobertura de AP en español de las elecciones en EEUU.
News outlets around the world count on the AP for accurate U.S. election results. Since 1848, the AP has been calling races up and down the ballot. Support us. Donate to the AP.
North Dakota lawmakers have groused in recent years about the origins and funding of ballot initiatives that added crime victim rights, ethics mandates and term limits to the state constitution. Opponents say the new proposed restrictions step on citizen democracy.
The other two measures include constitutional amendments from the Legislature to change outdated terms related to disabilities in the state constitution, and administrative changes for the state’s nearly $11 billion in oil tax savings.
veryGood! (8426)
Related
- Judith Jamison, a dancer both eloquent and elegant, led Ailey troupe to success over two decades
- 'Struggler' is Genesis Owusu's bold follow-up to his hit debut album
- FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says emergency funds could be depleted within weeks
- Fixing our failing electric grid ... on a budget
- Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
- Third child dies following weekend house fire in North Carolina
- Spanish Soccer Federation President Apologizes for Kissing Jenni Hermoso on Lips After World Cup Win
- Russian missile attack kills 7, including 6-year-old girl, in northern Ukrainian city
- Kevin Costner says he hasn't watched John Dutton's fate on 'Yellowstone': 'Swear to God'
- Bachelor Nation's Krystal Nielson Marries Miles Bowles
Ranking
- Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe save Alabama football season, as LSU's Brian Kelly goes splat
- Weakened Hilary still posing serious threat to Southern California and Southwest
- Georgia sheriff pleads guilty to groping TV Judge Hatchett
- Novak Djokovic outlasts Carlos Alcaraz in nearly 4 hours for title in Cincinnati
- Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia Explains Why She’s Not Removing Tattoo of Ex Zach Bryan’s Lyrics
- Charles Martinet, the voice of Nintendo’s beloved Mario character, steps down
- Alabama can enforce ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender children, court says
- Indiana’s near-total abortion ban set to take effect as state Supreme Court denies rehearing
Recommendation
-
Mike Williams Instagram post: Steelers' WR shades Aaron Rodgers 'red line' comments
-
Big Ten college football conference preview: Can Penn State or Ohio State stop Michigan?
-
This queer youth choir gives teens a place to feel safe and change the world
-
MacKenzie Scott gave 17 nonprofits $97 million in the first half of 2023
-
Francesca Farago Details Health Complications That Led to Emergency C-Section of Twins
-
Amanda Knox Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 2 with Husband Christopher Robinson
-
Rihanna Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 2 With A$AP Rocky
-
Ecuadorians reject oil drilling in the Amazon in historic decision