Montana politicians today lined up on party lines to praise and condemn the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn federal protection of abortion access.
The Montana State Capitol building in Helena.
Four newly established advisory commissions will make recommendations to Montana’s governor on how to spend more than $1.5 billion of federal pandemic relief funds.
The governor’s office Wednesday announced the commissions, made up of state lawmakers and appointees from the executive branch. They will focus on proposals to fund infrastructure, communications, economic stabilization and health projects and programs.
State lawmakers earlier this year created the commissions along with
a framework for allocating the federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The commissions will review grant applications and proposals within that framework and make recommendations to Governor Greg Gianforte on which should be funded.
KALISPELL, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bills 159 and 399 Thursday in Kalispell.
The governor signed the Personal Income Tax Relief Act, Senate Bill 159, which reduces Montanaâs top income tax rate to 6.75 percent beginning next year according to a release.
Also signed by Gianforte was Senate Bill 399 which reduces the stateâs top income tax rate to 6.5 percent in 2024 and simplifies Montanaâs complex tax code and reduces the number of tax rates from seven to two the release says.
âAs we continue to lead the Montana comeback, weâre letting hardworking Montana families keep more of what they earn and reforming our tax system to make Montana more competitive,â Gov. Gianforte said at Thompson Precision Manufacturing in Kalispell. âThese new laws will cut Montanaâs income tax rate, simplify our complex tax code, and create more jobs and greater opportunities for Montanans.â
Republicans and Democrats reflect on the 2021 Legislative Session
Last updated 5/3/2021 at 11:47am
Gov. Greg Gianforte held a press conference Friday to give a recap of the Montana Legislature’s accomplishments in advancing the agenda its Republican leadership shares with his administration, in the wake of Democratic leaders also discussing the session the previous day. Gianforte said with Republicans in control of the Legislature and executive branch they’ve seized the opportunity to make the state more competitive compared to its neighbors by lowering taxes and increasing exemptions for businesses, especially on equipment taxes, as well as simplifying the state tax code.