Montana 2025 Legislative Session

[Ben Lamb]

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.

That is a different conversation than the proposed legislation.

 

[Sytes]

Taxes:
Use a portion to cover FWP increased competitive wages and incentives - along with whatever to support our State outdoor industry.

6% across the board sales tax. Resident's who filed State tax may either burden our State revenue service which would be far too excessive OR Upon filing State Tax, have barcode reader on Drivers License / ID that exempts taxes for items determined resident tax free. This may also be used to deter fraudulent voting... Ya, ya - I support identification to establish lawful voting.
Or issue a Montana Resident / U.S. citizen card for tax exemption that has the barcode for the same above purpose. Either card would be deactivated if the person does not claim to be a Montana resident for tax purpose the next year.

 

[Nameless Range]

That is a different conversation than the proposed legislation.

It's not much of a reach to say state programs marketing for tourism and tourism itself are associated, and the opponent's comments sure seem to think so too.

 

[Ben Lamb]

It's not much of a reach to say state programs marketing for tourism and tourism itself are associated, and the opponent's comments sure seem to think so too.

The proposed legislation would wipe out entirely the funding for promotion. It isn't a scaled approach.

The residents of Gardiner are going to have a much different take than the residents of Clancy.

 

[Nameless Range]

The residents of Gardiner are going to have a much different take than the residents of Clancy.

This is the crux, I think most residents of Gardiner, and certainly SD 30, won't.

 

[cgasner1]

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!

Drive thru Billings fri-sun and look at how much traffic and the plates on cars sales tax would be a huge benefit if and it’s a big if done properly

 

[Forkyfinder]

The proposed legislation would wipe out entirely the funding for promotion. It isn't a scaled approach.

If theres one thing that we dont need to spend money promoting - its Montana.

TV shows. Youtube travelers. And a camera everywhere.

The climate/need to promote Montana changed. If it changes again - they can change it back

 

[Beignet]

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.

Not wanting to turn this thread into an Econ 201 course, but I hope we don’t go that way. Sales taxes are incredibly regressive and disproportionately affect low income households. These folks have already been strained enough by the meteoric rise in the cost of living.

Hasn’t Gov. GG himself said that sales taxes are a non-starter?

 

[SAJ-99]

Drive thru Billings fri-sun and look at how much traffic and the plates on cars sales tax would be a huge benefit if and it’s a big if done properly

Go on....
Montana already has lodging tax. What else do visitors purchase that residents don't? Billings tries to put through a sales tax every few years to hit the WY residents who come up and load up at Costco.

Problems don't get solved until people elect to take some of the pain themselves. What Montanans continue to agree on is F the NRs (visitors, in this case). Same old song, same old dance.

 

[cgasner1]

Go on....
Montana already has lodging tax. What else do visitors purchase that residents don't? Billings tries to put through a sales tax every few years to hit the WY residents who come up and load up at Costco.

Problems don't get solved until people elect to take some of the pain themselves. What Montanans continue to agree on is F the NRs (visitors, in this case). Same old song, same old dance.

“Take some pain” my mortgage jumped a little over 200 a month last year due to property tax increase. Say what you want but people travel from the dakotas also to avoid paying tax. This isn’t a f the nr mindset. It takes its toll on our chit roads and the traffic sucks so people can avoid paying taxes

 

[Forkyfinder]

Not wanting to turn this thread into an Econ 201 course, but I hope we don’t go that way. Sales taxes are incredibly regressive and disproportionately affect low income households. These folks have already been strained enough by the meteoric rise in the cost of living.

Hasn’t Gov. GG himself said that sales taxes are a non-starter?

I disagree with your assessment.

 

[SAJ-99]

“Take some pain” my mortgage jumped a little over 200 a month last year due to property tax increase. Say what you want but people travel from the dakotas also to avoid paying tax. This isn’t a f the nr mindset. It takes its toll on our chit roads and the traffic sucks so people can avoid paying taxes

I don't disagree. The problem is if you want to change them but don't want to pay yourself...How?
Hell, I supported the sales tax when I lived there, but it didn't pass because locals didn't want to pay and are 110% sure the money will be wasted.
And my YOY RE taxes and insurance jumped the same. I'm sure some of the ND residents did too.

 

[TheJason]

It takes its toll on our chit roads

Don’t state and federal gas taxes compensate for this?

 

[cgasner1]

I don't disagree. The problem is if you want to change them but don't want to pay yourself...How?
Hell, I supported the sales tax when I lived there, but it didn't pass because locals didn't want to pay and are 110% sure the money will be wasted.
And my YOY RE taxes and insurance jumped the same. I'm sure some of the ND residents did too.

I’m all for paying my fair share of tax a sales tax would just help with those issue as far as it effecting people less fortunate you could raise the property tax and to help compensate with the sale tax it probably wouldn’t be very hard to find a balance. Like i said if done properly

 

[cgasner1]

Don’t state and federal gas taxes compensate for this?

If they fill up in Montana Sheridan and Cody people may not

 

[Labman]

I’m not going to get into one of your contests of who can cite the most studies and what scientific evidence I have to support my opinion just so you can show off your superior intellect as a game department employee. I can’t regurgitate study information like you do.

My opinion was based on the scientific evidence that the state of Idaho has a year round season and it hasn’t led to over harvesting and ESA re listing. It’s a way for the state to try and keep their numbers in check which I thought was the point of the discussion.

So yeah, I’m operating in the realm of opinion here based on the “scientific evidence “ of observing a management tool being used to manage wolf numbers by a state agency.

The tip toeing opinion is also based on personal observations and listening to fellow hunters comments. Perhaps I’m the only one that feels this way?
Just my opinion.
I’m sure you’ve never heard comments made about something not working because of how the antis are going to react or how they will just tie something up in court. I fully understand that we absolutely have to be strategic about management tools based on the opposition, I just don’t like it and I was voicing my opinion about it.

Both bills 176 and 222 passed in the initial committee vote 12:8. Some amendments, but I like the trajectory.

 

[SAJ-99]

I’m all for paying my fair share of tax a sales tax would just help with those issue as far as it effecting people less fortunate you could raise the property tax and to help compensate with the sale tax it probably wouldn’t be very hard to find a balance. Like i said if done properly

Agree. I think they have prioritized working on RE taxes. But at the end of the day it fits the general trend, in all states, of the the rich funding the poor. These NR costs are the same. We need to try something different because it isn’t working.

 

[cgasner1]

Agree. I think they have prioritized working on RE taxes. But at the end of the day it fits the general trend, in all states, of the the rich funding the poor. These NR costs are the same. We need to try something different because it isn’t working.

I wonder why they haven’t put a Costco in Cody or Sheridan?

 

[SAJ-99]

I wonder why they haven’t put a Costco in Cody or Sheridan?

Generally, places like Costco target metro areas over 250,000 people. they may have added in Cody and Sheridan to the Billings number to get that one built originally. I agree, it is popular with WY plates. Popular enough they built the new one closer to the Interstate. I don't think WY has any. Bozeman might one of the smaller metros. It may be tax related, but I doubt it is an issue of sales tax.

 

[Beignet]

I disagree with your assessment.

Why that? When the same tax rate applies regardless of income it’s considered regressive/disproportionate. This also includes payroll taxes, excise taxes, and property taxes.

In a hyperbolic imaginary example, it seems crappy to make a single mom earning minimum wage fork over the same additional % to Helena for her kid’s winter coat as someone who earns enough to have a second home here.

Editing to say I can also agree to disagree so this thread stays focused on legislative affairs affecting our outdoors hobbies and doesn’t turn into the tariff one.