North Dakota ballot measure considers abolition of property tax

Monica Davey reports from Bismark, North Dakota, in today's New York Times on the effort there to abolish the state's property tax.  Davey speculates--without explicitly referencing the state's oft-noted "rural" character--about why this initiative arose there:

In a way, North Dakota, though 48th in population among the states, was a logical place for such a movement to brew.  While the state's property tax collections per capita generally fall near the middle among states, the surge in oil production over the past five years, mainly in the western portion of the state, has seen its effects ripple through other parts of life here.  The state's coffers are full, overflowing event.  Assessments of home values, especially in some areas, have risen dramatically too. 

Interestingly, the two proponents of the abolition--indeed, organizers of the movement--which Davey quotes are women.  One of them is quoted regarding the current property tax:  

It means all of us are renters--none of us are homeowners.  

Wacky statements like this one have me wondering if female activists like these two have been inspired by the Palin phenomenon.