by Jana Gorton, Kalispell
I don’t think Governor Gianforte cares about hard working Montanans. It would have taken one simple bill to head off the huge property tax hikes that property owners were hit with in 2023. The last four governors – two Democrats and two Republicans – figured it out. They lowered the tax rate after the property tax appraisals came in much higher and, as a result, saved Montanans from massive tax increases.
Gianforte was told this would happen, but he chose to ignore it. Sure, he cut a few rebate checks to those who were able to sift through the maze of confusion before his deadline but many, including rental property owners, received zero in rebates.
On top of allowing higher property taxes, Gianforte also signed off on a bill that bans rent control, allowing landlords, including out of state corporate rental property owners, to raise rents whenever they want. Higher rent means renters need higher wages and when business owners have to pay more in wages they have to raise the prices of their products and services.
All Gianforte wants to do is play the blame game and point his finger towards others for his disastrous inflation – inducing policies. I don’t know about you, but I’m fed up with his excuses. That’s why I’m voting for Ryan Busse for Governor. Ryan’s a straight – shooter who’s tired of hearing about Montanans who have to leave our state because they can no longer afford to live here.
Unlike Gianforte, Ryan Busse cares about hard working Montanans and will fix this mess.
Tracy Wood says
Property taxes were NOT HIKED! the value of your property went UP. Tax rate the same and that is all there is to say about it. Educate yourself.
WMA says
Alan,
What does your property tax pay for that you can live without? Schools? Roads? Police? Emergency services? Snow plows? Taxes are not robbery. They are the price of living in a civilized society.
Alan says
I agree Gianforte dropped the ball on property taxes. He doesn’t deserve another term. Rent control, however, is absurd, and it should be outlawed. Of all the creative tax governments can use to rob their citizens, property tax is the most vulgar of all.