In the last few weeks we have focused on the happenings in Bismarck's debate over the Renaissance Zone policy, but Bismarck is not the only city that needs to reform its local property tax exemption policies to reform property taxes.

The City of Fargo is beginning the same discussion almost solely due to the work of Fargo City Commissioner Tony Gehrig.

His work has not gone un-noticed, and it applies to every community in North Dakota - not just Fargo.

To quickly understand where Tony coming from, you can read his Op-Ed's entitled "The Dirty Little Secrets of Tax Exemptions" and "Cut all incentives, cut taxes".

Also, be sure to listen to his segment recently on KFGO with Dan Hammer where he explains why he will not support future Renaissance Zone projects in Fargo due to the fact that most project now double or triple dig with other incentives like T.I.F. (Tax Increment Financing) and P.I.L.O.T (Payment In Lieu of Taxes).

In the future, we will be forwarding Tony's work to you as our Fargo members and readers, as well as all taxpayers, should know these fights are happening and who is on the side of the taxpayers - and who is on the side of picking winners and losers at the expense of everybody else.

With the state running out of resources to bail out local government, property tax growth will return to its tradition growth rates. Without reforms at the local level on issues like exemptions, your property taxes will grow faster than ever.

The state will not solve the property tax problem - only your local officials can. Make sure you know who you are voting for.