Taylor’s exemptions questionable
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Editor,
Here is an issue of vital importance to those of us owning property in the Flathead. I am a property owner on the west shore of Flathead Lake, and I realize there are agricultural tax exemptions available to legitimate cherry producers.
It is a matter of public record that Rep. Janna Taylor owns 15 acres including 660 feet of Flathead lakeshore property near Rollins, for which she pays $19 annual property tax, plus a little more than $2,000 for the improvements on the land — house, dock and outbuildings. Her taxable value is $400,031.
We own 4.87 acres with 180 feet of lakeshore with two older houses and a mobile home. Our taxable value is $1,064,136.
Ms. Taylor is a state legislator, entrusted to fairly serve her district. She lists “rancher” on her biographical information, but their ranch is in central Montana, far from this legislative district. I have not seen “cherry farmer” on any of her information. One could conclude that she is taking advantage of the agricultural exemption, and I find this disturbing.
I also see they received $1,017,491 from 1995 to 2009 from the federal government in farm subsidies.
Perhaps it’s time to retire Taylor from politics as she is trying to unseat incumbent Sen. Carmine Mowbray from Polson in the June 5 primary elections.
I am addressing the state tax issue in a separate letter to Montana Department of Revenue Director Dan Bucks.
Anne Marie Semsak
Butte/Polson
