Montana Governor Plans for $7 Billion in Spending in 2025 Budget

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At a press conference in Helena on Wednesday, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte proposed a $7.1 billion overall state budget for 2025, which includes cuts in state income taxes, property tax relief, expanding the state prison and encouraging cell phone-free schools.

Kicking off the press conference broadcast state wide, Gianforte touted another income tax cut.

Governor Proposes a $7.1 Billion State Budget for 2025

“This new budget includes the largest income tax cut in state history,” began Gianforte. “We propose reducing the income tax rate most Montana's pay from 5.9 percent to 4.9 percent. We propose expanding the earned income tax credit to help hard working lower and middle income Montanans. Together, these proposals total more than $850 million in permanent tax relief for hard working Montanans.”

One topic homeowners throughout the state were anxious to hear about was Gianforte’s plan to provide property tax relief.

Gianforte Proposes Cuts in Income and Property Taxes

“We must also reduce the burden of property taxes,” he said. “That's why we propose a homestead rate reduction to for Montana homeowners for their primary residence and for Montana small business owners. This property tax savings proposal is one of the recommendations of the property tax task force that I staff established starting the year.”

As part of his proposed budget, Gianforte also included more money for corrections, including expanding the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.

“Too many criminals who ought to be at the state prison are filling up county jails,” he said. “The fact is that there are thousands of unserved warrants because there's not enough jail space for criminals for the safety of our communities, and we must fix this. My budget proposes spending $150 million in one time only funding to expand the state prison building, with two new pods that will add approximately 500 additional beds.”

READ MORE: Missoula City Council Approves 2025 Budget With an 8 to 4 Vote

Gianforte Plans Spending to Increase Capacity at the Montana State Prison

A topic that Missoula parents have been discussing included funding to promote cell phone-free schools.

“As I've met with school administrators, teachers and parents throughout the state, I've heard success stories about how plans for cell phone-free schools,” he said. “Following up to that end, our budget dedicates $1 million in one time only funding to create incentives for school districts to get rid of distractions in the classroom and to adopt cell phone free policies.”

Click here to view the entire press briefing by Governor Gianforte and his Budget Director Ryan Osmundson.