Prairie Public Broadcasting

Mathern proposed billion-dollar tax cut BISMARCK, ND (NDPR) - North Dakota's Democratic candidate for governor is proposing a billion dollar package of tax cuts and increased state aid to local governments.

Tim Mathern says his proposal would reduce the income tax bills of lower- to middle-class North Dakotans by up to 75 percent. His plan includes property tax breaks for residential home owners -- done through the homestead tax credit. Mathern says that would be a 25-percent property tax reduction. He also would increase state aid to schools by $300-million, and aid to cities and counties by $150-million.

"This is not a tax plan just to get into the headlines," Mathern told Bismarck reporters. "It's a package that middle class families will notice at the grocery store, the gas pump and at tax time."

Mathern says a strong state economy will help sustain his proposal.

Incumbent Governor John Hoeven has his own $500 million tax plan. His campaign spokesman -- Don Larson -- says Mathen is going for sound bites over sound policy. © Copyright 2009, NDPR