Property Tax Bills Passed by Democrats and ‘Defecting Republicans’

There is widespread confusion about who is responsible for passage of the two horrific property tax bills (SB 542 and HB 231) that caused the current property tax shift and, in some cases, increased taxes on primary residences and multi-family residences, when Montanans asked for, and were promised, real property tax relief. Based on my legislative experience, and my assessment of these pieces of legislation, I can provide a definitive conclusion.

The Montana House and Senate have “nominal” Republican majorities. In the House, there are 58 “Rs”, but only about 35 abide by the principles of the Montana Republican Party. In the Senate there are 32, with 23 being true Republicans. The Democrats, along with defectors from the Republican Party, are the true legislative majority. By looking at the House and Senate votes on these two bills, you’ll see that virtually all Democrats voted for them, as well as the defecting “Republicans” (led by Llew Jones from Conrad). They are the perpetrators of the property tax increases in Montana.

Finally, Gov. Gianforte signed these bills into law. He could have vetoed them, but he was a supporter of them, along with the other “Republican” defectors.

The label on legislators is often like the label on “knock-off” designer clothing. The tag may say “Armani”, but the real manufacturer is from Bangladesh.

Look at how elected officials vote, not at the “party” label after their name.