Grand Forks Herald Q&A: A look at District 18 before the start of the North Dakota Legislature

Dec. 28—An experienced delegation once again heads to Bismarck from District 18, with all three members having served at least six years in the Legislature.

Rep. Corey Mock, a Democrat, is beginning his 15th year in the Legislature, while Republican Rep. Steve Vetter has served eight years and Republican Sen. Scott Meyer six.

District 18 generally includes eastern Grand Forks east of 20th street and an area along Interstate 29 to the Red River, past Manvel.

Prior to the session — which begins Jan. 3 — the Herald sent a questionnaire to all local lawmakers, hoping to get their thoughts on the important issues lawmakers will face in 2023.

Below are the verbatim answers of the three lawmakers from District 18.

Party affiliation: Republican.

Years of service in Legislature: Six

Herald: Do you have any particular bills you'll present or sponsor in the upcoming session? If so, please give details.

Meyer: I'll continue to push quality-of-life legislation for our active duty service members, our veterans, and support other Grand Forks initiatives. I'm still working on bill drafts as we head into session.

Herald: North Dakota appears to be in good financial standing. Do you believe that? And if so, how might the state's financial standing affect the coming session? If there is money to spend, do you have ideas (or predictions) on where it should be spent?

Meyer: North Dakota, as a state, is in good financial standing because of conservative leadership. With a surplus, we'll see an increase on ideas to use the funds we have, but the legislature will have to vet many of these proposals to determine what best suits our constituents needs. I'll be an advocate for continued appropriations to the UAS industry, including Grand Sky, research funding for UND, and for infrastructure projects in Grand Forks and Grand Forks County.

Herald: In Grand Forks, a planned technical education center (the Career Impact Academy) received more than $10 million in donations in hopes of getting $10 million in state funding. But construction hasn't yet begun due to a holdup of federal funds flowing to North Dakota — funds that in turn will be distributed by the state. Is there a solution to get this project rolling? And should the state disburse additional funds to accommodate the delays and associated inflationary costs?

Meyer: This is a discussion that will be had this legislative session regarding federal funding and how the state can fill any gaps. I've always been in support of the Career Impact Academy, and technical education in general. We need to continue educating our future workforce to fill a multitude of job openings, and this is a great option for our state's future.

Herald: We've heard much about property tax relief in the state, including from the governor's office. Is this a top-of-mind issue for members of the Legislature? Should this be a high priority? And if so, what should be done?

Meyer: This is another conversation that comes up each session from legislative buydowns to the takeover of county social services. The problem many have is when the state gets involved, there is less local control. While I have seen a couple of proposals to assist with property taxes, most of your property taxes are levied by the school board, county, city, and residents need to reach out to these entities for answers on local spending.

Herald: What do you feel is Grand Forks' biggest legislative concern as the session begins, and what should be done about it?

Meyer: Infrastructure is a priority for Grand Forks this coming session. We'll continue to work with the DOT, Mayor Bochenski, and the city council for an interchange at 47th Ave S and/or an underpass at N 42nd Street.

Party affiliation: Democratic

Years of service in the Legislature: 15

Herald: Do you have any particular bills you'll present or sponsor in the upcoming session? If so, please give details.

Mock: Each session I draft, introduce, and/or sponsor bills of various issues on behalf of constituents. These are always a high priority and a point of pride, regardless of how "significant" they may be. Bills in development for this session focus on business and regulatory reform, public and traffic safety laws, and workforce retention.

I'm better known for spending a considerable amount of time and effort in committees with amendments to other legislation. With committees assigned I know I'll continue my work on IT infrastructure, cyber security, transportation funding, government finance and accountability, public safety, economic development, energy research, game and fish, and resource management.

It's important to remember that North Dakota has a citizen legislature; most of the ~1,000 pieces of legislation that come forward every two years begin with a conversation or idea from a constituent.

Politicians may pretend to have all the answers; truth is we don't even know the question unless people reach out. Regardless of political party, our local legislators are willing and eager to help constituents solve problems. If there is something you believe should be on your legislator's radar before session, a five-minute investment with a phone call or email is the most effective beginning.

Herald: North Dakota appears to be in good financial standing. Do you believe that? And if so, how might the state's financial standing affect the coming session? If there is money to spend, do you have ideas (or predictions) on where it should be spent?

Mock: Our general fund balance is strong. Our "rainy day" funds are full; we're producing more oil at higher prices than expected which puts even more money into our Legacy Fund and strategic investment funds. And thanks to more than $1B in federal COVID relief money, we have made significant one-time investments in infrastructure and economic development.

But where others see strength, I see cause for long-term caution. Our current general fund budget assumed general fund revenue from major taxes and fees of about $3.5B, but has nearly $4.9B in ongoing expenditures. Simply put: we're spending about 40% more than we take in from our main sources of revenue (sales, personal, and corporate income taxes).

We rely heavily on economic overperformance and oil/gas taxes to backfill our budget, some through direct transfers and the rest from a complex web of formulas and trust funds.

Yes, North Dakota currently has a healthy balance in our checking and savings accounts. But we're heavily dependent on a volatile commodity, making significant, ongoing financial commitments, and relying on a trust fund that's still in its relative infancy.

We have many strategic needs and priorities, but we must be prudent in policy and practice to ensure our commitments are sustainable.

Herald: In Grand Forks, a planned technical education center (the Career Impact Academy) received more than $10 million in donations in hopes of getting $10 million in state funding. But construction hasn't yet begun due to a holdup of federal funds flowing to North Dakota — funds that in turn will be distributed by the state. Is there a solution to get this project rolling? And should the state disburse additional funds to accommodate the delays and associated inflationary costs?

Mock: Grand Forks businesses and public partners rallied behind the need for a Career Impact Academy — a feat we all should applaud and celebrate. And I can think of no better tribute to the work of local leaders (public and private) who made the financial commitment to invest in a much-needed workforce training center than a swift grand opening.

I'll be working with my colleagues, along with the Governor's Office and Bank of North Dakota, to create a line of credit for the Grand Forks Career Impact Academy. Grand Forks is not the only community with a technical education center on hold due to bureaucratic delays, which is why I believe this will be a high priority for most every legislator and something that will be passed, signed, and made available well before we finish our work next spring.

Herald: We've heard much about property tax relief in the state, including from the governor's office. Is this a top-of-mind issue for members of the Legislature? Should this be a high priority? And if so, what should be done?

Mock: Property taxes are a frequent conversation each legislative session — and rightfully so. Owners pay the county a property tax of roughly 1-2% its assessed value every year. And because it's the single largest tax most North Dakotans pay on a regular basis, it's worthy of frequent and critical evaluation.

The state can and should play a role in reducing pressure on property taxes, but we have a razor thin edge to balance when doing so. There is no state property tax; all property taxes are levied for local public schools as well as city and county services.

We are also a state that generally and historically believes local governance is best. The more a "higher" level of government gets involved, the more control they tend to exert. Federal and state "intrusion" on local matters should be limited, at best.

We can and should provide property tax relief by fully funding our state's commitment for public education, public health and social services, as well as critical infrastructure.

North Dakota has already made significant progress in these efforts and we have road maps of success we can follow as we meet our needs and ease pressure on local taxpayers.

Herald: What do you feel is Grand Forks' biggest legislative concern as the session begins, and what should be done about it?

Mock: Most every major concern we're facing as a community is tied to economic strength and development.

My fundamental objective this session is providing local leaders with the resources they need to attract new businesses, expand and support existing industries, and develop a trained workforce that sustains growth.

Area legislators have been briefed and understand the critical challenges facing our regional economy. Requests and proposals have been offered; historically, Grand Forks lawmakers are unified when heeding this call.

"Team Grand Forks" will prioritize investments in K-12 and higher education, local health services, and workforce development. This work begins in the Governor's budget and continues with major budget bills throughout the session.

Additionally, I will focus on some dedicated social and physical infrastructure needs we have in the community: funding for childcare services, career academies and training centers, GFK runway reconstruction, future Grand Forks river crossing, natural gas pipeline to Grand Forks, 42nd Street underpass, 47th Ave / I-29 interchange, and continued investments in GrandSky / UAS industries.

Party affiliation: Republican

Years of service in the Legislature: Eight.

Herald: Do you have any particular bills you'll present or sponsor in the upcoming session? If so, please give details.

Vetter: My main focus this session is continuing to execute on my campaign promise "Make it Better." This cycle we have seen a wide array of issues that need focusing on.

First, I am working to ensure that everyone is able to vote in person on election day. In the past we have seen elections with zero physical precincts. I think it's important that everyone has the right to vote in person.

Second, I feel that we need to continue to defend Grand Forks, and that starts with backing the blue and ensuring our military base continues to receive the resources it needs. There are a couple of exciting ideas for our police and national guard focusing on retention to continue defending Grand Forks.

Last, Grand Forks County still has issues when it comes to getting access to their property information, which makes you less able to perform real estate transactions, and dispute property tax discrepancies. More information will empower you to make better decisions.

Herald: North Dakota appears to be in good financial standing. Do you believe that? And if so, how might the state's financial standing affect the coming session? If there is money to spend, do you have ideas (or predictions) on where it should be spent?

Vetter: Across my time in the Legislature, we have been good stewards of the taxpayers funds, and that strong stewardship is paying dividends. With a substantial projected budget surplus, there are many opportunities to make things better for Grand Forks. First, we can increase investment in our communities, but we can also decrease the tax burden our average citizen faces and become the lowest flat tax state in the nation. Our finances are in good enough shape that most families will no longer have to pay income tax, while still maintaining our current level of robust services.

Herald: In Grand Forks, a planned technical education center (the Career Impact Academy) received more than $10 million in donations in hopes of getting $10 million in state funding. But construction hasn't yet begun due to a holdup of federal funds flowing to North Dakota — funds that in turn will be distributed by the state. Is there a solution to get this project rolling? And should the state disburse additional funds to accommodate the delays and associated inflationary costs?

Vetter: The Career Impact Academy is obviously a good thing, and as a former union cement mason, I know the value of the trades and how they still are a pathway to success and wealth. The Career Impact Academy is going to address many needs in our city, but you are correct they may have funding difficulties. To get the project rolling Grand Forks now has five legislators who sit on appropriations committees, and I trust my running mate Sen. Meyer to get this done. If I am given the opportunity, I will vote yes to support the Career Impact Academy.

Herald: We've heard much about property tax relief in the state, including from the governor's office. Is this a top-of-mind issue for members of the Legislature? Should this be a high priority? And if so, what should be done?

Vetter: Property tax relief is important but also dangerous because of how property taxes work in the state of North Dakota. Property taxes are issued by what are called political subdivisions such as the school board, the water board, the city of Grand Forks, and other relevant agencies who use a complicated millage system to create your total tax burden. You may remember voting on a bond earlier this year, involving those property tax rates.

When the state provides relief, it inadvertently incentivizes these subdivisions to further raise your property taxes. Due to this relief, citizens do not know what their true property taxes are and are unable to hold their local municipalities responsible. Ultimately, despite billions in relief over the past decade, the amount of property tax people pay has not materially fallen, and in some cases has even risen. In order to hold political subdivisions accountable, we cannot keep picking up the bill.

Herald: What do you feel is Grand Forks' biggest legislative concern as the session begins, and what should be done about it?

Vetter: The biggest issue facing Grand Forks is the same issue that is facing every community and city in our nation, the out of control inflation, high energy costs, and rising interest rates. These problems, are national in origin, but we are going to do everything we can locally to combat. This includes policies like income tax relief, infrastructure and workforce development to raise incomes, and encouraging our energy sector to increase production to drive prices down.