House Republicans kill permanent property tax relief for Montanans
HB 280 passed out of committee with bipartisan support; voted down on the floor
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News from Montana House Democrats
HELENA—On Feb. 15, on the floor of the House, Montana Republicans voted against providing meaningful, long-term property tax relief for working Montanans by killing HB 280, which would ensure that Montana homeowners receive a refund when their property taxes rise above an affordable percentage of their income.
HB 280 would have also sent meaningful property tax relief to Montanans who rent their homes, and who have felt the effects of higher property taxes in rising rents. Renters account for 30% of the state’s population. Today’s vote follows a series of recent anti-renter votes where Republicans excluded renters from a one-time property tax rebate, expanded landlords’ power to evict tenants and take them to court, and let landlords’ take money out of the pockets of Montanans applying unsuccessfully to live in their rental properties.
Democrats have championed long-term property tax relief like HB 280 for years – introducing similar legislation in the last three sessions. Republicans’ failure to address long-term property tax relief comes as the Department of Revenue projects that Montanans’ property values are expected to rise 43% next year, resulting in a significant tax hike. The Governor and Republicans continue to fail to take the crisis seriously: proposing a single payment that will not help Montana homeowners when property taxes rise next year or the year after that.
“I’m frustrated that House Republicans refuse to prioritize long-term property tax relief. ,” said bill sponsor Representative Jonathan Karlen (D-Missoula). “By killing this bipartisan solution to provide meaningful, long-term property tax relief, Republicans have made it clear they care more about political stunts and spending money than ensuring seniors on fixed incomes and hardworking families can keep the roof over their heads.”
