North Dakota's Board of Higher Education is opposing ballot measures to cut state income taxes and establish a trust fund for oil revenues.

The measures would crimp the board's budget plans. The board is asking the Legislature to raise North Dakota university system spending by 46 percent over two years for permanent operations and one-time projects.

Measure 1 would establish a trust fund for oil taxes and make it difficult for lawmakers to spend money from the fund. Measure 2 cuts individual income taxes by 50 percent and corporate income taxes by 15 percent.

Board members say the measures would make it tougher to raise faculty salaries and restrain tuition and fee increases for students.

Board President Richie Smith says if the measures are approved, the board may have to increase tuition rates 8 percent to 12 percent.

Under the current budget plan, annual tuition increases at North Dakota's four-year colleges would be limited to 4 percent. There would be a tuition freeze at the state's two-year colleges.

Associated Press