Governor Gianforte Calls for Substantial Tax Relief Without Delay

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today called on legislators to provide Montanans with $2,000 in property tax rebates and permanent, long-term income tax relief without delay.

“We want to provide Montana homeowners with $2,000 in property tax rebates over this year and next, and permanent, long-term income tax cuts,” Governor Gianforte said at a press conference in the state capitol. “And this week, we saw that our plan enjoys widespread support. Hardworking Montanans deserve relief, and they deserve it without delay.”

During the press conference, the governor highlighted elements of his Budget for Montana Families, which provides Montanans with $1 billion in property and income tax relief, the largest tax cut in Montana history.

The governor's budget provides Montanans with $2,000 in property tax rebates for their primary residence over 2023 and 2024. The $500 million proposal represents the largest state-administered tax rebate in the country.

Coupled with long-term reforms to increase transparency and accountability and to ease the burden of property taxes on Montanans, the governor’s property tax rebate proposal enjoyed widespread support this week, including seniors, businesses, and local leaders.

The governor expressed his appreciation to the bipartisan group of seven legislators who on Wednesday voted to move forward with the proposal for $2,000 property tax rebates.

During the press conference, Gov. Gianforte also highlighted his commitment to protecting the Montana way of life, including Montana’s proud Second Amendment heritage.

“When you elected me as your governor two years ago, you entrusted me to do two things – two things that I would focus my efforts on,” Gov. Gianforte said. “One, to grow opportunities for Montanans and create a climate where our small businesses can grow and create good-paying Montana jobs. And two, to protect our Montana way of life. That includes protecting our public lands and protecting our constitutional rights.”

The governor continued, “Each person’s right to keep and bear arms is part of our state’s, and our nation’s, rich heritage.”

Taking on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, the governor announced yesterday, with the Montana Board of Investments, the State of Montana has reaffirmed its commitment to maximizing shareholder returns on the over $26 billion in investments of the state’s financial assets, not advancing a political agenda through ESG investing.

ESG investing prioritizes environmental, social, and governance investment principles over traditional investment principles designed to maximize shareholder returns, and ESG investing discriminates against many industries, including the firearms industry.

“Activist, woke capitalism through ESG investing is trending on Wall Street,” the governor said. “It puts stakeholders ahead of shareholders.”

The governor also reiterated the message he shared at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, the country’s premier tradeshow for the sport shooting, hunting, and outdoors industry, “Montana is open for business, we have a proud Second Amendment heritage, and we welcome gun manufacturers, hunting companies, and folks throughout this industry to come do business in Montana.”

“While that message may buck the national trend, that’s a position we’re proud to be in,” Gov. Gianforte said.