State Sales Tax? No Thanks. Why Is MT Republican Senator Hertz Pushing For It?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 27, 2023
CONTACT
hadley@montanademocrats.org
Helena, MT – In an interview with an online political blog, Montana State Senator and former Speaker of the House Greg Hertz, advocated for imposing a statewide sales tax, saying “we need to discuss” adding the historically unpopular general tax on Montana consumers. “I like a state-wide sales tax that covers retail services and professional services, of 2.5 to 3%.”
2,000 miles away, the debate rages in Washington D.C. with U.S. House Republicans advocating for a nationwide 30% sales tax. Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale’s ‘Freedom Caucus’ is pushing the bill.
Meanwhile, Senator Tester has vowed to fight for Montana working families, sending a letter to the Senate Leadership to say he wouldn’t let “politicians in Washington, DC raise taxes on hardworking Montanans.”
A sales tax – state or national – would increase the costs of everything from gasoline to groceries, and overburden working Montanans. It has long been deeply politically unpopular in Montana. A sales tax would disproportionately stress low-income households, and ease the tax burden off the richest 20% and shift it to the rest of the 80%.
“Why would Montana Republicans advocate for a sales tax? The answer is simple: It is effectively a tax handout for the wealthy and Montana Republicans love feeding the rich at the expense of the middle class,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Montana Democrats will fight them every step of the way.”
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