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
"Limiting governments' budget growth, or even reducing budgets as many families have done when faced with rising costs, will provide more opportunities for tax relief."
I haven’t met a single Montanan who feels comfortable with our state’s current tax system. Just about everyone wants tax relief and is looking for answers. And unfortunately, there are no silver bullets to reform. I’ve tried to keep the following truths in mind as I’ve considered my own views about tax reform in Montana.
"Santa should give Congress a lump of coal this year for their lack of action on the national debt and deficit."
"Local governments must accept responsibility for what they can control: the growth of their annual budget as a means to enable property tax relief."
"Fiscally conservative budgeting takes political courage. Montana taxpayers should hold their local officials accountable for excessive budget growth."
“Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery.” – President Calvin Coolidge
"For the sake of Montana taxpayers, this imbalance between state and local government budgeting should be corrected in the next legislative session."
"Aligning the retirement options with what best serves the vast majority of public workers ensures the Montana’s government remains efficient. That’s a win-win for Montanans."
"Rather than trying to get ‘just a little more’ from taxpayers, local governments need to follow Montanans’ lead and cut excess spending."
"This excess in spending means taxpayers will have to pick up the difference."
"Montana’s state government is showing how to make tax relief successful. Local governments need to follow that example. Permanent, long-term tax relief is made possible only through a commitment to spending restraint."