HELENA, MT – During a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte on March 6th, reiterated his priorities to deliver Montanans the largest income tax cut in state history and secure meaningful property tax relief for Montana homeowners and small businesses.

“As we support our veterans, small business owners, and job creators, our agenda continues to move through the Legislature,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I’m encouraged by the progress we are making to deliver on our bold agenda for Montana families and I thank legislators in the House for their work to prioritize our Homestead Rate Cut.”

Beginning the press conference, Gov. Gianforte praised President Trump’s joint address to Congress, calling the behavior of Washington Democrats during the speech shameful.

“It’s clear, that under Trump’s leadership, the golden age of America has just begun. Whether it’s cracking down on illegal immigration, fighting for lower taxes for American families, supporting the creation of new manufacturing jobs, or supporting law enforcement – President Trump is putting the American people first,” the governor said.

He continued, “Compared to the last four years, and the shameful behavior of the Democrats in Washington during the President’s address, I’m glad we have President Trump in office fighting for the American people.”

Addressing the progress of the Montana Legislature ahead of transmittal break, the governor thanked legislators in the House for prioritizing his property tax relief proposal and said he looked forward to the Senate giving it due consideration.

As proposed in his budget for the next biennium, the Homestead Rate Cut is projected to lower property taxes for Montana homeowners by 15% and small businesses by 18%. The recommendation is a result of the governor’s bipartisan Property Tax Task Force and, according to estimates, will directly reduce property taxes for more than 215,000 primary residences, more than 32,000 small businesses, and provide indirect relief for over 130,000 renters.

Highlighting the impact of the relief, the governor shared a story from a recent visit to a Great Falls small business, Central Plumbing, Heating, Excavation.

“While I was there, I heard from their leadership and employees about the importance of our tax relief package. They told me they pay attention to what's happening at the Capitol, and, like many Montanans, I heard from them how inflation is making it harder for families to make ends meet,” the governor said.

He added, “It's a priority for them to ensure their employees can support their families, and they’re grateful to see our tax cut proposals.”

In addition to property tax relief, the governor proposed the largest income tax cut in state history, reducing the income tax rate most Montanans pay from 5.9% to 4.9%. The proposal also substantially boosts the earned income tax credit to benefit lower- and middle-income Montanans. Montana currently has the highest income tax rate in the Rocky Mountain West.

The governor’s budget also expands the business equipment tax exemption from $1 million to $3 million, eliminating the tax for more than 700 small businesses, farms, and ranches. This increase comes on the heels of the governor’s first term reforms that eliminated over 5,000 small businesses, farms, and ranches from the business equipment tax payroll.

The governor concluded, “As our tax relief priorities continue making their way through our legislature, it’s important we keep Montanans priorities top of mind. We must continue our important work to make Montana the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Watch the governor’s press conference here.