Holds roundtable at the Kalispell Senior Center

Kalispell, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte on Feb 12th, held a roundtable discussion at the Kalispell Senior Center to hear from residents on the impact of meaningful property tax relief for Montana homeowners.

“I brought us all together today to hear directly from you on how our tax cut proposals translate to real relief for Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Many Montanans nearing retirement or already on fixed income are feeling the pinch from rising property taxes – we need to act quickly to deliver meaningful relief.”

As proposed in his Path to Security and Prosperity, the governor has been a strong advocate for the homestead rate cut which 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 diverse, 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.

Meeting with Kalispell residents, including seniors on fixed income, the governor heard of the significant impact of rising property taxes.

Longtime Kalispell resident and retired Kila School District lunch lady, Sandy Barnett, shared, “I have to look six months ahead of time to get ready for my property tax bill. And I shouldn’t have to do that. And our kids are leaving, my son just told me last night that he has to move away because he can’t afford to live here.”

Barnett added, “My children are teachers and county clerks, and with the high cost of everything, they are having to decide to sell their land in order to stay in their residence.”

Cinnamon Davis Hall, a Montana homeowner and community outreach specialist for the Montana Veterans Food Pantry, shared, "My late husband was a third generation Montanan. He purchased our home in Evergreen, the place where I raised our kids and where I still live. And I'm trying to keep this place for my kids. Three years ago my property taxes and insurance made my property taxes go up $300 on my mortgage and now, this year, it went up $600."

Discussing the impact of the proposed property tax relief, Gerri Backes, President of the Kalispell Senior Center, said, “We have 600 seniors who utilize this senior center. And the Census Bureau estimates that by 2030, 30% of our population will be over 60 – we cannot afford the taxes we are facing now, especially since most are on fixed income.”

Kalispell Senior Center Board Member Bob Spoklie added, “I’ve been a resident of this state for 90 years and it’s a pleasure to see someone of your caliber take over the governor’s chair and move along with the homestead act. What you’re doing with that is much appreciated.”

Last week, the homestead rate cut, House Bill 231, passed its second reading on the House floor with broad bipartisan support. Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee held discussion on the bill.

In addition to his proposals for property tax relief, Gov. Gianforte reiterated his priorities to deliver the largest income tax cut in state history and lower the rate most Montanans pay from 5.9% to 4.9%. The governor’s income tax cut proposal also boosts the earned income tax credit to benefit lower- and middle-income Montanans.