ND Income Tax Likely Cut Next Season

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The chairman of the North Dakota Senate's Finance and Taxation Committee says he expects an attempt to abolish the state's income tax when the Legislature reconvenes in 2015.

Sen. Dwight Cook says it's an idea that has come up before but hasn't gone anywhere. The Mandan Republican says he expects someone to push a measure next session.

Cook says he doesn't know if the Legislature "has the political will" to do away with state income taxes.

North Dakota has become the nation's No. 2 oil producer and the state boasts a billion-dollar surplus.

Other major oil states, such as Texas and Alaska, have no state income tax.