Gianforte signs repeal of local-option gas tax despite plea from Missoula County, contractors
Martin Kidston/Missoula Current file
Gov. Greg Gianforteâs signature essentially overturns the will of Missoula voters, who adopted the 2¢ per gallon tax last year.
and last updated 2021-05-11 18:35:08-04
MISSOULA â Despite the plea of Missoula County government and local businesses, Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday signed a bill revoking the stateâs local-option gas tax, leaving commissioners to consider raising local property taxes to fill the void.
Gianforteâs signature essentially overturns the will of Missoula voters, who adopted the 2¢ per gallon tax last year. It also reverses the desire of the 1979 Legislature, which gave Montana counties the authority to adopt the tax as a tool to raise revenue for transportation maintenance.
Contractors, realtors, counties support Missoulaâs local option gas tax; petroleum opposes
Missoula County voters adopted the 2¢ local option fuel tax in 2020, and the fee has been in place since September.
and last updated 2021-03-12 12:58:32-05
MISSOULA â Joined by a wide range of organizations, the city and county of Missoula on Wednesday defended a 1979 legislative bill that permits individual Montana counties to adopt a 2¢ gas tax with voter approval and direct the funding towards infrastructure.
Missoula County voters adopted the 2¢ local option fuel tax in 2020, and the fee has been in place since September, slowly raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in new revenue for road maintenance and construction.