Gianforte’s Feet Held to the Fire on Rising Property Taxes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 10, 2023

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press@montanademocrats.org

Billings, MT – Desperate to claim an accomplishment from his failed time as governor, Greg Gianforte found himself playing defense as KTVQ’s news anchor grilled him about spiking property taxes under his administration.

KTVQ’s anchor pointed out that sky-high property taxes are forcing Montanans to choose between home ownership and funding public safety services. In 1994, Montana property owners paid 38 percent of property taxes, but in 2023, they will pay 52 percent.

It is an abject failure of Republicans that half the state budget is funded on the backs of working Montana families and retirees.

The segment also covered how voters are reluctant to pass mill levies, forcing Montanans to choose between paying for their housing and funding public safety services like EMS in Laurel and a fire mill levy in Great Falls.

In defense, Gianforte tried to tout the one-time checks the state sent to homeowners, but was pressed on how Montanans making $80,000 a year are seeing checks as small as $80 – and that the Republican-controlled legislature and governor’s office failed to pass a permanent solution. 

Montanans have taken notice: Republicans like Governor Gianforte have made the state the most expensive it has ever been.
 

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