No tribal governments in Montana have so far applied for the licenses; lawmakers have said that s likely because entering the bureaucratic fray would not be worth the relatively small profits.
Glacier County officials met with state administration and revenue brass Tuesday to request relief from the financial sanctions issued over years of mismanagement at the county level.Â
Glacier County commissioners Mary Jo Bremner and John Overcast, flanked by County Attorney Terryl Matt and Chief Financial Officer Chancy Kittson, told the Department of Revenue and Department of Administration the withheld funds could mean shutting down a number of county services if they aren t released soon.Â
The county has undergone five audits covering the last eight years, and the fiscal troubles there inspired new laws to keep counties from similarly falling into the same situation. The audits have consistently found nearly 20 issues with the county s financial practices, until the 2020 audit found eight. The county overspent by $1.2 million in 2019, while the county only overspent by $28,000 in 2020.Â
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As of midday Friday 918 bills had been introduced in the Montana legislative session and Gov. Greg Gianforte had signed three bills into law. This week we’re watching legislation on tax policy, public health and labor unions.
Republican lawmakers are ferrying a number of Gov. Greg Gianforte’s tax proposals through the legislative process, including Senate Bill 159, carried by Sen. Greg Hertz of Polson. It would lower the personal income tax rate for the state’s top tax bracket from the current 6.9% to 6.75%. That would reduce taxes at least some for about half of Montana taxpayers
Similarly, House Bill 303 carried by Rep. Joshua Kassmier, a Republican from Hamilton, passed out of the House last week. The Business Investment Grows (BIG) Jobs Act would increase the exemption ceiling on the state’s business equipment tax from $100,000 to $200,000, in effect eliminating the task for about 4,000 businesses.
University of Montana Legislative News Service Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, introduces House Bill 252 to members of the Montana House Taxation Committee Tuesday. The bill part of Gov. Greg Gianforte’s tax policy changes would allocate tax credits to businesses to help pay tuition costs for employee trades education. More than two dozen people testified in support of the measure, many representing labor organizations and touting the bill as critical to drawing younger, high-skilled laborers to Montana.
HELENA Two bills promising tax breaks for businesses drew widespread support during a Montana House of Representatives committee hearing Tuesday.
House Bill 303 would increase the exemption for the business equipment tax from $100,000 to $200,000. Montana Department of Revenue Director Brendan Beatty said it would allow business owners to reinvest the savings in their communities.