Recaps visit with President Trump, Cabinet Secretaries

Helena, MT -- During a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte on Feb 27th, praised legislative progress of the Homestead Rate Cut to deliver meaningful property tax relief for Montana homeowners.

“Rising property taxes fuel the affordability crisis hitting homeowners across the nation, and Montana homeowners need and deserve permanent relief. That’s why I wholeheartedly support the Homestead Rate Cut,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Between the leadership in the House and strong bipartisan support, the Homestead Rate Cut is making progress.”

Beginning the press conference, Gov. Gianforte recapped his recent visit to Washington, D.C., praising collaboration with the Trump administration and highlighting meetings with President Trump and several cabinet secretaries where they discussed the importance of securing our borders, reducing costs, and increasing American-made energy.

“I’m optimistic about this new era of collaboration as we all – Republican, Democrat, or Independent – work together to put the American people first,” the governor said.

Shifting the discussion to the importance of delivering meaningful, permanent tax relief for Montanans, Gov. Gianforte remarked on his recent trip to Billings to hear from Yellowstone County homeowners on the impact of the Homestead Rate Cut.

As proposed in his budget for the next biennium, the governor has been a firm advocate of 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 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.

The governor added, “With our Homestead Rate Cut, we support Montanans who live here – in their home. And we’re also making sure those who, for example, don’t live here, who don’t pay income taxes here, and who own second homes here, pay their fair share to fund the essential services they rely on when they visit our great state.”

Last week, the House Appropriations Committee voted to approve the Homestead Rate Cut on a bipartisan basis. Later today, the House will consider the Homestead Rate Cut on third reading.

Thanking legislators for sharing his priority to deliver property tax relief for Montana homeowners, the governor concluded, “I want to thank Speaker Ler, Majority Leader Fitzpatrick, and Representative Jones for moving this bill. Between their leadership and strong bipartisan support, the Homestead Rate Cut is making progress.”

Watch the governor’s press conference here.