Listen • 9:08
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.