Montana 2025 Legislative Session

[Gerald Martin]

Just saw on Facebook hb 133 in regards to mandatory reporting being discussed on hunting Montana. After reading comments on that and numerous other wildlife/hunting related topics over the last year, I realize I have greatly underestimated just how little regard the average MT resident hunter has for wildlife and proper management. Any positive change is going to be an absolute mountain to overcome with how little most of these guys understand or care about the resources. I have even more appreciation for what you guys have been doing and gone through this last year in particular.

Change begins with the first comment anyone sends to their legislator.


My first involvement started only because folks who were already involved challenged me to comment. My first trip to testify happened only because @BigFin offered up the opportunity to carpool.

Once involved, I was amazed at how a few folks who showed up could affect management decisions. It doesn’t always go the way you want, but it does often enough to realize that involvement makes a difference.

 

[cgasner1]

Just saw on Facebook hb 133 in regards to mandatory reporting being discussed on hunting Montana. After reading comments on that and numerous other wildlife/hunting related topics over the last year, I realize I have greatly underestimated just how little regard the average MT resident hunter has for wildlife and proper management. Any positive change is going to be an absolute mountain to overcome with how little most of these guys understand or care about the resources. I have even more appreciation for what you guys have been doing and gone through this last year in particular.

The breakfast flakes also talked about it Friday and said it’s a government over reach and it’s none of their business who is harvesting what.

 

[SAJ-99]

The breakfast flakes also talked about it Friday and said it’s a government over reach and it’s none of their business who is harvesting what.

Sounds like a little northern Idaho influence. Those people wouldn’t answer phone calls either so their opinion shouldn’t matter. The main problem is some of them keep getting elected to the legislature.

 

[Beignet]

The breakfast flakes also talked about it Friday and said it’s a government over reach and it’s none of their business who is harvesting what.

Breakfast Flakes? Maybe I’m obtuse but this reference is over my head.

 

[bigsky2]

Breakfast Flakes? Maybe I’m obtuse but this reference is over my head.

I think it’s a radio show in Billings.

 

[Beignet]

I think it’s a radio show in Billings.

Sure is. Thanks!

 

[cgasner1]

Breakfast Flakes? Maybe I’m obtuse but this reference is over my head.

They are usually pretty on point and fairly well informed. They missed the ball on that one. I sent them a email about it but they are out this week on a big trip they do with all the fans to Mexico. What sucks is i know a lot of people that listen to them don’t do any research they just trust their judgement

 

[cgasner1]

[email protected] if anyone else is board today in this weather and wants to send them one. I may have mentioned something about hb 139 in the email also. Be nice they are usually pretty good about coming back to things if people reach out to them

 

[B&CTom]

Email sent to the Breakfast Flakes

 

[Beignet]

What sucks is i know a lot of people that listen to them don’t do any research they just trust their judgement

The loss of critical thinking skills by the general public has been a toughie in a lot of ways.

Glad you guys reached out and that they’re pretty receptive to revisiting things.

 

[SAJ-99]

Slow day today in Legislature? Didn't want to distract from the pomp and circumstance?

 

[Treeshark]

Slow day today in Legislature? Didn't want to distract from the pomp and circumstance?

MLK Jr day, I assume they were off for the day?

 

[SAJ-99]

MLK Jr day, I assume they were off for the day?

Ah yes. The day the lobbyist make all their money.

 

[Nameless Range]

Not a hunting bill, but I think associated with pressures on that which we hunt and fish, and one I support, SB 90 would provide property tax relief by redirecting funds from State Tourism Programs. Specifically, the bill would eliminate a number of programs, including Made in Montana marketing, the Montana Film Office, the Main Street program, the Japan and Taiwan trade offices, and statewide tourism industry research.

I'm honestly not in favor of it chiefly for the property tax relief, which of course is needed, but I do feel strongly that it is not the role of government to market for an industry - and in particular one that extracts the experiences of the governed beyond what is now an acceptable threshold. I think the bill should be amended to allow for the continued funding of statewide tourism industry research, because that data backs up the aforementioned value statement. It also of course shows how much tourism brings to Montana economically, but I have a feeling we could cease every commercial and sticker and the floodgates will continue to be open.

An acquaintance of mine - and someone generally well respected on this site - once wrote on a facebook post I put up about tourism, "I can imagine a future that draws from the past- nobody “toured” Viking villages or Comanche camps. People have forgotten to question the capitalist models even when they obviously no longer serve". At the time, I waived it off as something anti-capitalist, which I have a gut reaction to as being something folks tend toward when they don't have real solutions. But now don't think that is what was being said, and often I have thought about it since. At what point should we no longer abide the concessions made in the name of economics that extract the soul of a landscape? How much should a chunk of earth and its governance serve the governed vs those who tour it? Montana is beautiful and I am privileged, but is increasingly like living in a zoo or a theme park. You aren't the animal nor the rides, but more and more the world around you revolves around the visitors. It's not an easy question.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Montana is beautiful and I am privileged, but is increasingly like living in a zoo or a theme park. You aren't the animal nor the rides, but more and more the world around you revolves around the visitors. It's not an easy question.

Not an easy question, but with the very limited funding sources generating money for Montana and the opposing fiscal needs ... the answer for me is clearly SALES TAX on those things visitors purchase!

 

[Southern Elk]

Not an easy question, but with the very limited funding sources generating money for Montana and the opposing fiscal needs ... the answer for me is clearly SALES TAX on those things visitors purchase!

I like that idea. How would it work? I can see taxing hotels and vacation rentals. How do differentiate between locals and visitors for other things?

 

[Forkyfinder]

Not an easy question, but with the very limited funding sources generating money for Montana and the opposing fiscal needs ... the answer for me is clearly SALES TAX on those things visitors purchase!

If the "conservatives" in Montana got their arse in gear - we would have a sales tax and not an income tax and went there a long time ago. As far as im aware - republicans have saw consumption tax as more fair for a long time in terms of philosophy.

This only gets additive when state and local income tax isnt deductible on your fed tax return (2017 tax cuts that will likely be extended).

Its a ridiculous concept - the tourists over stressing our infrastructure do not even fiscally contribute to solving the problem they are creating.

 

[Straight Arrow]

How do differentiate between locals and visitors for other things?

Therein lies the problem. I think that items such as medicine, most foodstuffs, and other "essentials" should be exempt. However, those items plainly considered "luxury" or "discretionary" should be subject to sales tax.
One big example is new vehicles, particularly since folks seem to like to purchase them in Montana. If considering buying a new vehicle or other "discretionary" items, I would have the abiility to factor in the tax as part of my decision regarding the purchase. 'Too much tax; don't buy it. Presently, the only time I can say NO to a tax is a school levy. Otherwise, I am just sent a tax bill, esp property tax.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Just gonna drop this into the group chat.

Property tax relief proposal slammed by MT tourism advocates

Proposal would divert about $100 million a year in bed tax collections to a property tax credit program.

montanafreepress.org

 

[Nameless Range]

Just gonna drop this into the group chat.

Property tax relief proposal slammed by MT tourism advocates

Proposal would divert about $100 million a year in bed tax collections to a property tax credit program.

montanafreepress.org

I read that this morning, along with MOGA's opposition. What I would ask our representatives to consider, is their position on proper role of government in marketing for an industry as well as how most of their constituents feel about tourism, and whether they think they want more of it.