Rep. Eric Matthews from Bozeman: “While many Montanans struggle to afford a roof over their heads, Sheehy moved here and bought four multi-million dollar properties...”

Helena, MT - In a new op-ed, Eric Matthews, State Representative for House District 66 in Bozeman, outlined how multi-millionaire Tim Sheehy was able to cut his property taxes by tens of thousands of dollars, while most Montanans’ property taxes skyrocketed. 

From using a company associate to lower his property taxes to charging $12,500 to hunt on his land, Sheehy has made it clear that he doesn’t understand the first thing about the issues that are important to hard-working Montanans. 

Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Guest column: Sheehy doesn't represent true Montana values
July 10, 2024
Rep. Eric Matthews

- As a state representative from my home town of Bozeman, I hear from my constituents every day about how the housing crisis impacts them - from the families who can no longer afford the property tax hikes on their family homes, to the young Montanans unable to purchase a home in the town where they grew up, to young families trying to find housing in the community they want to live and work in. Soaring property values have made the home ownership dream impossible for working people. 

- We need representation at every level that deeply understands this pivotal moment for our communities and our state. But recent news makes it more clear than ever that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy is part of the problem - not the solution. 

- While most of us in Montana were hit with sky-high property tax increases, Tim Sheehy used his business associate to appeal the property value of his vacation mansion in Big Sky - and succeeded.

- The property value of Sheehy’s ski-in, ski-out chalet dropped by an astronomical $2 million. As a result, his property taxes dropped as well - by tens of thousands of dollars. Mine have skyrocketed.

- It’s hard not to feel like rich politicians play by a different set of rules - and that certainly bears out when you look at what else Sheehy has been up to since he moved to Montana. 

- While Montanans are increasingly losing access to their secret hunting spots and public lands, Sheehy bought up 37,000 acres of land and charged rich tourists $12,500 for hunting access. The advertisement even bragged about that property fully surrounding public land - but Sheehy refused to give Montanans any access to that PUBLIC land.

- Montanans look out for their neighbors, and will always welcome those who share the values that make our state special - but Mr. Sheehy’s been caught too many times taking advantage of the rules to benefit himself and his wealthy friends for me to support. 

- While many Montanans struggle to afford a roof over their heads, Sheehy moved here and bought four multi-million dollar propertieswhile doing nothing to improve the opportunities for Montanans. I want someone representing me that has spent time improving their community in significant ways. 

- Montana isn’t a special side-project used for profit - it’s home to generations of hardworking families that want to keep it the Last Best Place for their children and grandchildren. 

- Mr. Sheehy has demonstrated that he doesn’t know what it means to be a Montanan, and if elected, it’s clear that he won’t bring our values with him to Washington.