BISMARCK,  ND – August 6, -  If you wonder how much state and local government costs—including non-tax revenues such as fees for sewer, water, garbage collection, and more—Mitch Vance, candidate for State Treasurer, has the answer. In his recently released Mitch Vance Report on the Price of Government in North Dakota, Vance has compiled all sources of government revenues—state and local—in one convenient report.    This first-ever report can be accessed in full at www.mitchvance.com

“This may come as a revelation to some,” Vance reports, “but in 2007, 14.1 cents of every dollar in personal income in North Dakota went to fund state and local government. Based on the data, North Dakotans deserve at least a $275 rebate or credit.” Vance’s research provides the price of government as a percentage of personal income for the years 1998-2007. The data for 2008 has yet to be released. His research also reveals another startling fact many North Dakotans already know: of the taxes that most affect people directly—real estate, sales, and income taxes—property taxes account for 47% of the total.

Vance says his report adds another layer of transparency to state government. “this fulfills my campaign message to be the eyes and ears of the people,” says Vance. “the Hoeven administration today projected a surplus in excess of one billion dollars by the end of the biennium. This report gives policymakers and the public a clear picture of how this happened. Moreover, it provides a metric to determine how much of the surplus could be returned to every North Dakotan based on a historical norm—the average price of government for the last ten years.

“My research shows that the state’s 10-year average POG is 13.3 percent.  But for the past two years, the POG has increased .8 percentage points – a nine percent increase – to 14.1 percent. In straightforward terms that affect every North Dakotan, the state must do one of two things to get the current POG down to the average … rebate every North Dakota $275 from taxes paid or create a job climate where North Dakotans on average get a $2,000 per year raise.”  Either step will decrease revenues or increase the personal income which will bring the current POG in line with the historical average of 13.3 percent.

The challenger for the treasurer’s office also believes the Mitch Vance Report on the Price of Government gives voters a concrete example of his vision of the role of the state treasurer—to be proactive in providing citizens more transparency in state financial matters. “My report is “main street” North Dakota; my opponent’s financial website is Wall Street,” Vance explains. “As state treasurer, I would not direct North Dakotans who want help with financial education to a Wall Street website; I would direct them to the North Dakota State Securities dept, where men and women who live and work in our community can provide professional advice.” 

To learn more about state and local government finances, visit Mitchvance.com. Call 701-319-0359