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Pitiful partisan ping-pong on Montana property taxes – Daily Montanan [1]

['More From Author', 'December', 'George Ochenski']

Date: 2023-12-01  

While Montanans are writing the very large checks for their insanely high property tax bills our politicians continue to play a pitiful game of partisan Ping-Pong.

It’s Republicans’ fault say the Democrats. No, it’s the Democrats’ fault say the Republicans. And in the meantime, residents are expected to pay up or the government takes your house.

In the latest round of this incredibly stupid game, the House Freedom Caucus has submitted a request to the secretary of state to poll the Legislature to determine if there are enough votes to call itself into a special session .

The poll has to garner a majority of the 150 lawmakers to succeed. And the Democrats — you remember the Democrats — who had so vociferously called for a “one-day special session” earlier are now adamant about not supporting the call for a special session.

In short, the very sorry game went something like this.

PING! The Department of Revenue warns the Legislature in January that Montanans will be facing incredible tax increases and they should take action to reduce that burden.

PONG! Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Republican supermajority in the Legislature ignore the warning.

PING! The session adjourns without significant action on property taxes by Republicans or Democrats.

PONG! The sky-high property reappraisals go out, leaving homeowners in shock. Their taxes are about to rise by an estimated 45% statewide despite assurances from politicians of all stripes that it won’t be that high.

PING! The Democrats, led by former Gov. Brian Schweitzer, put on a dog-and-pony show in the Capitol rotunda. They blame Republicans while demanding Gianforte call a one-day special session to reduce the state’s property tax levy by a pitifully small amount. They are, after all, Democrats who have no problems taxing and spending.

PONG! The governor says too bad, no session, and lauds the equally pitiful $675 rebate he and the Republicans decided was enough to give back to homeowners for this year and next. For most homeowners, it’ll wind up being less than half of the permanent increase in their property taxes.

PING! 49 counties decide they can unilaterally reduce the mills on the state’s education equalization levy. Again, it would save a pitifully small amount of the increases but they figure that’s the best they can do.

PONG! The governor sues Missoula County for the proposed reduction claiming the counties don’t have the authority to reduce the education levy. He also claims the real problem is the amount of taxes, assessments and levies issued by local government.

PING! The case goes to the Supreme Court, where the justices unanimously agree the counties do not have the authority to reduce those taxes. Homeowners start writing the checks while the politicians continue to dither and blame each other, seeking to gain some imagined political advantage.

PONG! House Freedom Caucus submits request to call special session, secretary of state polls the members of the Legislature.

PING! Democrats oppose the call for a special session claiming Republicans are “ducking accountability” for the sky-high property taxes.

PONG! Now we wait for 30 days to see what happens. But once a session is called, it’s wide open to be expanded to any topic whatsoever.

As this foolish game goes on Montana’s homeowners grow ever more frustrated and angry, having been relegated to the role of overtaxed spectators in this vacuum of leadership.

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[1] Url: https://dailymontanan.com/2023/12/01/pitiful-partisan-ping-pong-on-montana-property-taxes/

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