ICYMI: Property taxes are skyrocketing for Montanans, but not for Billionaire Gianforte

MTN News: Taxes on a Gianforte-owned home in Helena decreased while his neighbors saw “sizable” tax hikes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 12, 2024

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gaby@montanademocrats.org

Helena - MTN News broke a major story this week: while Montanans are paying record-high property taxes statewide, Gianforte is paying less than his neighbors in both Bozeman and Helena.

MTN examined public tax documents of “more than 40 homes” surrounding Gianforte’s privately owned mansion (618 Madison Avenue) in Helena, and found that “all but a few saw sizable increases, while the Governor's property decreased by seven percent.”

That leaves many folks scratching their heads – how on Earth is he paying less?

According to MTN, Gianforte’s Helena mansion was assessed at around $770,000, and it's currently on the market listed for $2 million.

“Something smells fishy and there are more questions than answers at this point,” said Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Sheila Hogan. “How exactly is the one man responsible for higher taxes, billionaire Governor Greg Gianforte, paying less while everyone around him is paying more?”

MTN News also reports Gianforte’s privately owned mansion in Bozeman saw an increase in property taxes by only 19% from 2022, thanks to a questionable agricultural exemption. That pales in comparison to Gianforte’s next-door neighbors in Bozeman, Montanans Deborah and Tony Newville, who saw a staggering 70% increase in property taxes on their modest home last year.

“We were here in the 80s when all the farm repossessions went on. These are family farms,” said Tony Newville. “That’s what that ag exemption was for, family farms to be passed to the next generation. It wasn’t designed for multi-millionaires land developers and speculators.”

Gianforte refused to answer questions about the disparities in his property taxes compared to his neighbors.

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