It’s been a few days since we finished the 2017 session of the ND Legislature. It’s time to reflect on what happened, “The Good, the Bad and in a couple cases Other”.
Money was tight which had the effect of putting most legislators in the position of looking at how to keep essential services going while creating efficiencies. New programs, with a few exceptions, were deferred. Most agencies received lowered budgets with a couple exceptions. Human Services and Corrections, because of increased numbers, had budget increases. Here are some short statements on how I view the ending budget that we will live with until the summer of 2019.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF:
The 2017 legislature actually decreased the amount of tax relief. I believe that without a serious look at our tax structure that we will have major shortfalls in the future. The 12% property tax credit will go away and be replaced by the funding of county social services costs. Other tax relief continued are the homestead income tax credit, court administrative costs, child support enforcement, disabled veterans credit and 1.13 billion for school districts. I believe that with the new budget, tax relief is actually less and may be in jeopardy for the future without major changes in how we collect and use taxes.
K-12 EDUCATION:
SB 2186 will allow local schools to experiment with new and different ways to deliver their educational program. Any plan proposed must improve the delivery, increase student opportunities and success. Pre-K will continue providing early education for 4 year olds. Even though the state funding remains at about 80%, rural districts with high transportation costs may see a decrease.
HIGHER EDUCATION:
I was disappointed in the initial proposal by both governors to make major cuts in the budgets of each college. If creating higher paying jobs is a goal of our economic plan, there is no better plan than providing increased education and training opportunities for our citizens. Personally, my life has been better as has that of my family because of the access to a college education. The very first European settlers came to Eastern ND nearly 150 years ago. They made sure that education was available to all. That one-room township school education that our grandparents saw as important is now a college education. Cutting back on educational opportunities is wrong. It will not save money in the long run.
CORRECTIONS REFORM:
We have about 1700 in prison in Bismarck (two places), New England (women) and Jamestown. A similar number is being held in county facilities. About 6000 people are on probation. Personally, my visits to the three facilities in Bismarck and Jamestown have helped me understand the system as we make changes in the laws of our state. Also, study of incarceration called Justice Reinvestment is looking at the entire practice of incarceration. Examination of mandatory sentences, probation, and consideration of mental health and substance abuse issues are part of the study. Legislation to improve access to community based substance abuse programs combined with a reduction in drug-related offenses for non-violent offenders was passed. Our prisons are full. Finding ways to treat offenders and keeping them in a local setting, receiving counseling, and supported by their family and community is proven effective and saves money. An interim committee will continue working on this issue.
Our four months stint in Bismarck, did some good things, the bad may be the inability to fully fund some programs that are obviously needed as well as passing some laws that we really don’t need. My question before any vote has been; “How will this help my part of the state?”, along with; “Do we really need this change?”
Next week, I will continue reporting on areas that we worked on and changes made during the 2017 Legislative Session.
Rep. Rick Holman, ND District 20.
No comments:
Post a Comment