Red Counties to Taxpayers: Upset With Your Property Taxes? Call Gianforte.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 29, 2024

CONTACT
gaby@montanademocrats.org

Helena, MT – County and municipal leaders are crying foul as another round of property tax bills are hitting Montana homeowners’ mailboxes this week. While Gianforte has spent months blaming local leaders and “local spending” for his record-high property taxes, conservative counties are pushing back and pointing the blame back at the Governor and the Legislature. 

Counties are taking preemptive steps to curtail public blowback and taxpayer frustration this week. Many counties are mailing released statements about the supplemental property tax bills with a step-by-step summary of how Gianforte, not county leaders, is responsible for the property tax hike.  

Conservative counties including Sweet Grass, Fallon, Sanders, and Sheridanposted these statements to the county treasurer's office website reminding taxpayers:

“The Department of Revenue, under the direction of the Governor’s Budget Office and Governor Gianforte, is directing the County to levy extra mills they hold in reserve to generate additional revenue from property taxpayers in Montana.”

The statements also include Gianforte’s office line phone number for “clarification”.

Gallatin County took an edgier approach by reminding taxpayers on their property tax bills that:

 "These additional tax collections mandated by the Governor will be sent to the State of Montana."

Conservative county treasures’ offices in Flathead, Ravalli, Valley, and Hill County are also on damage control after months of Gianforte’s lies. Their websites include language that reminds taxpayers that tax hikes are not coming from their offices – they’re just complying with laws passed by the Legislature.

Unfortunately, Gianforte’s lies won’t stop despite increased pushback from conservative counties. This week, Gianforte went on the record blaming local government AGAIN for property tax hikes [Timestamp 3:28].

“Mill levies can be complicated to understand, but don’t let Gianforte’s lies and scripted word salad fool you,” said Sheila Hogan, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Gianforte is losing support from members of his own party after throwing county and municipal leaders under the bus. Unfortunately, it’s everyday Montanans and hardworking local leaders who are dealing with the consequences.”
 

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