DGA - Democratic Governors Association

31/07/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 31/07/2024 20:31

Greg Gianforte Does the Bidding of Millionaires While Working Montanans StruggleLatest News Year in Review

Greg Gianforte Does the Bidding of Millionaires While Working Montanans Struggle

New reporting reveals that the sweeping tax cut Gov. Greg Gianforte championed and signed, that benefited the wealthiest in the state like himself, was the result of a lobbying effort by yet another millionaire: now-GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy.

In 2022, Sheehy urged Gianforte to sign a tax cut for wealthy out-of-state investors, which Gianforte did during the following legislative session. The report notes that the "Montana Department of Revenue estimated that the change would reduce state revenues by almost $16 million in 2025 and close to $20 million in subsequent years."

Despite having plenty of time to cut taxes for wealthy out-of-staters, Gianforte failed to work with the legislature to find a solution to avoid skyrocketing property taxes for working Montanans, sticking Montana homeowners with the "highest tax increase in history." Some Montanans even saw a 100 percent increase on their property tax bill - all while Gianforte's own property tax bill actually decreased as his neighbors' taxes surged.

"Greg Gianforte has made it clear that he is happy to be a governor for his ultra-wealthy friends and out-of-state allies, while sticking Montanans with the bill," said DGA National Press Secretary Devon Cruz. "Montanans cannot afford another term under Gianforte, when he's proven he'll only continue selling them out to serve millionaires and billionaires like himself."

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