Meaningful property tax relief not on the agenda

Montana legislators are halfway through the session and blowing their own horns. But a closer look at proposed legislation reveals empty promises and endemic corruption.

Montana voters demanded action on property taxes. During the previous session, Republican lawmakers refused to adjust residential rates resulting in skyrocketing increases for homeowners. Despite several property tax bills working towards passage, there remains no tangible relief in sight.

Property taxes represent a good form of taxation, if structured in a fair and equitable way. Sales and income taxes tend to hit working families the hardest. But property tax laws that favor the wealthy unfairly shift the burden to Montana’s working families and seniors.

Democrat-sponsored bills (HB 155 and HB 154) provide mild relief to homeowners but fail to redress the tax breaks given to corporate entities during the last legislative cycle. The main Republican bill (HB 231), supported by Governor Gianforte, includes tax breaks for rental properties and continues the token rebate stunt whereby home owners must apply by a random date for a randomly set amount.

Meaningful property tax reform will not happen during this legislative session. There are simply no bills in the pipeline that can reverse the damage done in 2023 and no more bills can be introduced at this point.

There was no consideration for clawing back the tax breaks given to Northwestern Energy, crypto-ventures, or data mining centers.

Here’s the bottom line: do not look to the 2024-25 Legislature for meaningful property tax relief. It’s not on the agenda.

– David Daniels, Missoula