Gov. Gianforte announces task force to deal with rising property taxes

Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte announced this week he will launch a task force to address rising property taxes — an idea met with some skepticism from both sides of the aisle.

A press release from the Governor’s Office said he will appoint members of the task force in January to “help Montana homeowners.”

“Property taxes are too high. Over this year and next, our $1,350 property tax rebate will provide the average Montana homeowner with relief that more than offsets their property tax increase,” Gianforte said in a statement.

Detractors have noted the rebate is only temporary, wasn’t available to many people such as renters, included red tape to receive, and doesn’t address structural problems.

It was clear one year ago that residential property owners would be facing significant increases if the state didn’t take action, and the Department of Revenue proposed a fix.

In November 2022, the DOR told the Montana Legislature the amount it would need to lower tax rates for residential properties to keep taxes neutral in light of significant increases in reappraisals, some 46% on average. But the legislature, led by a Republican supermajority, did not do so.

In recent months, the Governor’s Office has clashed with county commissions across Montana, including ones of his own party, on the property tax debate. But he said the task force will help.

“Leading legislators in tax policy, stakeholders, and others will be at the table,” he said in a statement. “They’ll leave no stone unturned to bring down property taxes, including providing solutions to reform the appraisal system.”

Liberals and conservatives both had criticisms on social media.

On X, Tammi Fisher, former mayor of Kalispell and a conservative who has disagreed with Republicans, questioned the idea.

“Add a committee just like Congress,” she said as @tammifisher. “Making Montana look like D.C. He already has a committee on lowering taxes and finding solutions – it’s called The Supermajority of the #mtleg. But go ahead and add more expense and bureaucracy – it’s the Big Government Gianforte way. #mtpol”

Former Gallatin County Commissioner Don Seifert, @skymtblu, also offered skepticism around the idea: “If you’re getting run out of town, get in front and make it look like a parade.” The Bozeman Daily Chronicle in 2020 said Seifert identified as a Republican, but also as more pragmatic than partisan.

The Montana Democratic Party, @mtdems, said Montanans don’t need the governor’s empty gestures: “@GovGianforte had the chance to address his property tax debacle. Now he is making a transparent and weak attempt to save face.”

In the news release, Gianforte said long-term solutions are necessary: “Our property tax task force will deliver an actionable plan to rein in property taxes for legislators to consider for their next regular session in January 2025.”

He also offered a nod to his earlier-appointed housing task force: “We have a model that works: our housing task force delivered meaningful solutions and results, and I’m confident that the property tax task force will do the same.”

Keila Szpaller is deputy editor of the Daily Montanan, a nonprofit newsroom. To read the article as originally published, click here.