The GOP leadership in our state has established an unprecedented record of enacting policies that harm working Montanans for their own personal gain and the gain of the wealthy.
Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Republican supermajority irresponsibly imposed the largest single increase in property taxes on homeowners, renters, and small business owners in the history of our state — with much of the increase devoted to cutting taxes for the wealthy and corporations. Gianforte gave himself a tax break on his Helena mansion and is paying less than his neighbors in both Bozeman and Helena.
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Gianforte removed tens of thousands of Montanans from their health insurance during the Medicaid redetermination process — not because they were ineligible, but because of administrative failures. Taking away healthcare from Montanans while prioritizing capital gains tax cuts seems to be a game for our state’s Republican leaders, who disregard the well-being of our working families.
They didn’t stop there. The public schools that working Montanans rely on to educate their children are being negatively impacted by GOP policies. Overestimating residential property values and underestimating corporate property values has not only made property taxes unjust, but it has also disrupted school funding calculations. School districts in need are now letting go of hundreds of Montana teachers due to insufficient state resources. Meanwhile, working Montanans in these districts are paying higher property taxes to support their local schools.
Our GOP supermajorities and governor are transforming Montana into a place where a privileged elite thrives on significant tax cuts for themselves and their corporate allies. This is funded by increased taxes for Montanans and reductions in public education, healthcare, and other services. They are sacrificing our state for personal gain.
Sheila Hogan is the executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. She was raised in Butte and currently resides in Helena with her husband, Jim.