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Montana collects $2.1 billion in property tax, with allocations as follows: 56% to schools, 28% to counties, 11% to cities/towns, and 5% to special districts. The 6 statewide university mills stay at the state, while the 95 statewide school mills are redistributed to local community schools, accounting for 35-40% of the $1.1 billion annual state school funding distribution. According to the latest Department of Revenue (DOR) appraisal, Montana properties have a total market value of $259 billion, spread across 18 tax and rate classes. Residential is the largest class at 76%, or $198 billion. Other significant classes include commercial properties (121,000 businesses, 92% employ 10 or few...
Hunting season has arrived! As hunters flock to the hills in pursuit of Montana’s treasured big game species, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the good work that was done in this spring’s legislative session for hunters, landowners, and conservationists alike. Wildlife issues have...
The Legislature’s major zoning reforms to increase the supply of affordable housing in Montana have made a lot of news, but there was also another significant pillar of our pro-housing work during the session: cutting red tape. Excessive government regulations have been one of the barriers to ...
Note to readers (and self) super glue does not mix well with granite countertops. Recently I had the opportunity to experience this noxious combination in the comfort of my own kitchen. This was not of my doing. But you already knew that. Late one night (when all the excitement happens at my house) my ...
The pharmaceutical industry is renowned for its breakthrough therapies that have saved countless lives. Yet, the reality is taxpayers subsidize most research and development investments in new medicines—and Big Pharma companies are increasingly focusing their strategic know-how on gaming the patent sys...
By definition, I am an introvert. I’m usually okay with time alone and minimal interactions with other humans. I enjoy conversations within my own head and maybe, perhaps have a significant relationship with both my phone and my laptop. However, lately I’ve noticed the world has sort of taken ...
The 2021 and 2023 sessions of Montana’s Legislature perpetrated a full-on war against Montana’s courts and judiciary. Dozens of anti-court/anti-judiciary bills were offered in these last two legislative sessions. The objective of these attacks? Demonize and marginalize Montana’s courts, ...
To our family, friends and beloved community members – we have some news to share with you. After 19 years of owning and operating the Valley Journal newspaper, we’re ready to begin a new adventure, chapter or story if you will. Though the decision was certainly bittersweet, we’ve decided t...
A New York Times headline on June 16, 2023, said “U.S. National Debt Tops $32 Trillion for First Time.” The headline this Sept. 20 in the Epoch Times was “US Debt Tops $33 Trillion for First Time.” Congress eliminated the debt ceiling on June 2, 2023, something they have done 78 times...
“Freedom isn’t free.” It surely was not for those who fought and died for America’s freedom in the beginning. Following the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and through the eight brutal and bloody years of the Revolutionary War thereafter, winning and securing America’s free...
