Representative Jerry Schillinger HD34, Circle

Please follow us on X and Telegram

Recently Representative Valerie Moore shared an article why she voted for HB231 and SB542.

I want to share my perspective.

Unfortunately, these two important bills weren’t decided until the waning days of the 69^th legislative session. As is too often the case, these bills were radically changed in the final days and passed. SB542, whose constitutionality is currently being challenged, went from a 2-page freeze on valuations to a 42-page appropriation of $80,000,000.00 for rebates and the implementation of progressive tax rates that escalate as values exceed certain thresholds. The rebate was a bribe to gain votes to pass a bad bill. Unfortunately, others and I took the bait to try to get at least some of the over collected tax dollars back to citizens.

 I voted no on HB231 and should have voted no on SB542.

These bills made an already complicated property tax system into a bureaucratic nightmare.

Representative Moore stated she asked the question ”does this lower the property tax bill for homeowners in House District 29 in a meaningful way—without just shifting the cost down the road somewhere else?” She didn’t answer her own question. In fact, the reduced residential taxes are shifted to other taxpayers. In HD29 examples of those with increasing taxes are farm homes that aren’t included as compensation or long-term rentals, oil and gas pipelines, telephone and electric co-ops, railroads and many businesses. There were no spending cuts, hence no real property tax cuts, just shifts. Those that are able will pass these increased tax costs on to their consumers/customers.

The Representative also mentioned why she opposed SB90. It took valuable $ from the general fund. SB542 took $80,000,000 from the general fund. She also objected to potential loss of tourism $. Western Montana is overrun with tourists, perhaps we don’t need to attract more there. Representative Moore also forgot to mention the $126,000,000 shortfall in education funding caused by these bills that will have to come out of the general fund in the current biennia. Unless changes are made in the 2027 Session, annual general fund transfers are projected at $97 million going forward.

Perhaps the worst part of these bills is the progressive (punitive) rates that they create. It’s understandable why all the democrats supported these bills, they love to punish success. As Republicans, we are supposed to celebrate and promote success and upward mobility.

Other victims of these bills are owners of 2^nd homes, family cabins and of course folks in some of the recreational hotspots with wildly inflating property values. Many of these folks have lived their entire lives in these areas, have modest homes and modest means of support. They are being taxed out of their properties. That’s not right. Many will be taxed at 2.5 times the rate many of you reading this will be. Who will they be replaced by?

Hopefully, after thoughtful reanalysis, Representative Moore will realize these disastrous bills need to be scrapped, not championed.

Respectfully, Representative Jerry Schillinger HD34, Circle

‘NO AD’ subscription for CDM!  Sign up here and support real investigative journalism and help save the republic!