Montana Governor Visits Missoula, Advocates for Permanent Tax Relief

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Governor Greg Gianforte flew into Missoula on Wednesday specifically to appear before the media at VW Ice with owner and President Jack Kirkland, along with Justin Iverson of Iverson Ranch and Richard and LeJean Foster, who own a small farm in western Montana.

Gianforte continued his strong support of the Homestead-Comstead property tax reduction plan, even though the bill was recently tabled in the state legislature.

Governor Gianforte was in Missoula Touting Homestead Property Tax Bill

“It's great to be back in Missoula at VW Ice. I am looking forward to the tour and to being with some other folks that are concerned about tax relief,” began Gianforte. “I think we've had a real priority that was given to us last November, to make permanent reforms in the way we do taxes, and it's small businesses like VW Ice that would benefit from our Homestead rate cut that we've been advocating for. As I mentioned in November, Montana spoke loud and clear that we need permanent tax relief for all taxpayers in the state.”

VW Ice owner Jack Kirkland was also a fan of the Homestead Property Tax plan.

Business Owner Jack Kirkland Also Supports the Bill

“It is a great thing to see the Homestead tax reform coming through because that is exactly what Montanans asked for, short of sharing our secret recipe, (Gianforte added) water and cold (laughter), this is a monumental turn for all of Montanans,” said Kirkland. The taxes that we've seen increase in such amount that having this type of reform would allow us to make the next steps in purchasing equipment, making sure that we take care of our families, this is really what we've been asking for.”

Richard and LeJean Foster spoke of the pressure that higher property taxes have placed on them in their retirement.

“One of the things that we have looked at is that since 2020, our property taxes on our little home with 13 acres has gone up over $3,000,” Mrs. Foster began. “We are both at retirement age. How are people like us supposed to continue to pay property taxes on stuff like this?” Mr. Foster added, “Yeah, and it's not just the property taxes that go with that. When we go into retirement, we're also looking at the insurance for our properties, and they just keep going up and up and up,” he said, to which Mrs. Foster added, “and between the two of them, they're basically a house payment.”

Gianforte said 'I will Listen to Any Good Ideas' on Property Taxes

Following the press conference, I asked the governor if he would consider any other plan than the Homestead reduction plan.

“I'll listen to any good ideas,” he said. “The one thing that we can't do is we can't put the burden of property tax relief on income tax payers. The reason for that is that Montana has the highest income tax rate in the region. People are already paying too much. We can't go and put the burden of property taxes on income taxpayers. So outside of that, I'm open to any good ideas that might come from the legislature.”

Listen to Wednesday’s Talk Back show to hear the perspectives of both a Democrat and a Republican legislator.

The Montana legislature is due to gavel to a close in early May, so the clock is ticking on any meaningful property tax relief.