Frontier Institute Statement In Support Of HB 324

Legislation holds local governments accountable for reckless spending

HELENA – Today the Frontier Institute offered support for HB 324, a bill that places a limit on the growth of local government budgets to protect taxpayers.

“While Montanans are tightening their belts amid skyrocketing property taxes, inflation and increased cost of living, many of our local governments are continuing a spending spree,” said Kendall Cotton, President and CEO of the Frontier Institute. “HB 324 will help keep the cost of government within the bounds of what average taxpayers can reasonably afford and make room for property tax relief.”

HB 324 would cap local government budget growth, limiting increases to the rate of population growth plus inflation, which is a benchmark for fiscal responsibility targeted by Montana state legislators. 

Frontier Institute has promoted original research showing how reckless spending by local governments has increased Montanans’ tax burden:

• Many local government budgets have far exceeded population growth plus inflation over the last ten years, leaving taxpayers on the hook for millions in excess spending: