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."
"Not one penny of taxpayer dollars should go toward funding university programs that don’t yield positive returns on investment for Montana students."
"Aside from doing nothing to address what the bill's name says it will address, the bill actually does do some things – spend more and raise taxes."