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Democratic lawmakers call for special session to enact Montana tax relief measures

July 7, 2023 /

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State Democratic lawmakers on Thursday called on Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte to bring the Legislature into a special session to address rising property valuations, namely a sharp increase for residential properties statewide.

The governor’s office appeared to reject the request while lambasting minority Democrats on Thursday for opposing Republican proposals during the regular session, which wrapped up in early May.

Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, of Belgrade, and Senate Democratic whips Shannon O’Brien, of Missoula, and Susan Webber, of Browning, issued the request in a letter to Gianforte. They seek a single-day session to adopt a revenue-neutral state property tax rate determined by the Montana Department of Revenue in November.

“Again and again Montana Democrats pleaded with Republican legislators and Gov. Gianforte to find long-term solutions to unaffordable property taxes,” Flowers said in a press release, calling the matter a “property tax crisis.” Republicans held a supermajority last session.