Speech
Property Tax Bill Testimony (SB 461)
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
State Capitol
3/11/2003
Chairman DePratu, members of the Senate Taxation Committee... for the record, my name is Judy Martz, Governor of the great state of Montana. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to testify before you in support of Senate Bill 461 sponsored by Senator Story, which will mitigate the effects of property reappraisal.
I have stood before you in support of our administration's tax reform legislation for economic development, and I continue to strongly encourage your support of that plan.
I want to extend my deepest appreciation to Chairman DePratu and Vice-Chair Story. Whether it is addressing property taxes or income and capital gains tax reform for economic development, you have worked incredibly hard in preparing for tax issues in this session. I firmly believe that you have laid the groundwork for tax relief for working men and women, and all Montana families.
You recognize that, at the same time we address our income tax challenges, it is important that we keep Montana's property taxes in line and protect our homeowners from higher property tax bills.
As you know, the Department of Revenue is currently completing the reappraisal of residential, commercial, agricultural and forest land property required under state law.
Last October, I formed an advisory council to address and mitigate the impacts of the property reappraisal. This Council did an excellent job and made several recommendations, which we have considered in our current proposal. I would like to thank Senators Story and Stonington and all of the council members for their work.
Our administration is committed to controlling and even reducing property taxes on Montana homeowners while at the same time ensuring that out-of-state property owners carry their fair share of the state's property tax burden.
We believe Senate Bill 461 will address those goals. Under the current bill, Montana homeowners would receive an average of a $240 decrease in their property taxes. We are confident that, working together with Chairman DePratu, Vice-Chair Story, the members of this committee and all legislators, we can lessen the property tax burden on Montana homeowners in the most fair and equitable manner possible.
By working together to address any tax impacts resulting from the reappraisal, we will continue to work to strengthen every Montana community and every Montana family.
Please join me in supporting Montana families - supporting our future, by lessening the property tax burden on Montana homeowners.
Revenue Director Alme is here to emphasize some of the points of the plan, and to answer any questions you may have.
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