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Horse trading at the expense of Montana taxpayers

by Jesse Mullen
| April 17, 2025 12:00 AM

After blowing off property tax relief entirely during the 2023 Montana Legislative Session, our senators and representatives are on track to repeat the mistake.

Helena’s inability to prioritize the needs of its constituents is astounding.

In 2023, lawmakers ignored the Montana Department of Revenue’s recommendations to reduce the property tax rate. The result? A historic – and unnecessary – rise in tax revenue that drastically increased the burden on Montana homeowners.

Now, more than halfway through the 2025 session, political leaders are playing games with their constituents' pocketbooks. Earlier this month, the Legislature rejected a package of tax reforms proposed by Governor Gianforte. Among them was a homestead exemption for primary residences and long-term rentals – a proven tool used successfully in neighboring states to keep property taxes in check.

One proposal would have cut property taxes for homeowners by nearly 20 percent, shifting the burden to short-term vacation rentals and often out-of-state-owned second homes – some of the very properties fueling Montana’s housing affordability crisis. Those properties would have seen a 50 percent increase, leveling the playing field for full-time residents.

Instead of tackling the real problem, lawmakers are focused on modest income tax tweaks – offering minimal relief, especially to Montana’s aging population, who are most affected by rising property taxes and families looking to enter into homeownership.

Worse, it seems property tax reform is being used as a bargaining chip. As State Senator Kelly Kortum put it, “horse traders in the [Montana Legislature] are slow-rolling property tax bills so they have hostages against Sine Die,” the process that officially ends the session.

Until we hold legislative leadership accountable – whether through primary challenges or otherwise – Montanans can expect more political games, more stonewalling, and more pain.

Jesse Mullen is the chair of the Powell County Democratic Central Committee and resides in Deer Lodge. He ran for Secretary of State in the 2024 general election.