Our current property tax system essentially functions as a one-way tax ratchet, where property taxes increase but almost never decrease, and where one vote by a small plurality in a single election can lock in a permanent tax hike
Our fundamental right to own and use property must be respected.
"Currently, property taxation is justified as the primary way we fund essential public services. We should consider whether this justification is enough to outweigh the fundamental right to own property without government intrusion."
"Instead of placing their thumb on the scale of enterprise and diverting investment to unsustainable projects, governments should focus on creating the conditions for privately driven investment to flourish."
"Federal politicians should take note of Montana’s example for tackling the housing crisis and focus efforts on boosting the supply of housing, which will help reduce costs for everyone."
"We should want “Montanan” to mean anyone, longtime residents and newcomers alike, who embrace the frontier spirit. We should want “Montanan” to mean success and wealth and prosperity and vitality."
"I don’t think the ‘Montana Miracle’ is a one-time fluke. I think it can represent a new paradigm of politics in Montana, where the left and right join together in common belief that Montanans must be free to build, innovate, and progress in order to overcome the biggest challenges facing our state."
"Montana has every reason to be bullish on AI, but without leaders doing more to champion these innovations, we may have our incoming productivity boom prematurely thwarted."
"More active forest management is great news for those who love Montana’s “clean and healthful” environment and want to improve the global climate."
"In 25 years, Montana energy companies could be installing wind turbines and solar panels built in Montana, with semiconductors and photonic technology manufactured in Montana, utilizing Rare Earth Elements extracted and processed in Montana, to export clean Montana-made energy to power the nation."
"In many ways, Montanans in 2024 are far more free than they were in 2021. My hope is that there is much more to come."
"Local governments must accept responsibility for what they can control: the growth of their annual budget as a means to enable property tax relief."
"The education establishment’s bullies have made clear from the get-go they will stop at nothing to block Choice Schools for students."
"Whatever the merits of this case may be, moving the complaint forward is sure to only inflame rather than mend a bitter feud between co-equal branches of Montana government."