Governor Greg Gianforte has proposed a nearly $18 billion budget for Montana’s government over the next two years, focusing on investing in big projects and cutting taxes. The budget includes a 1% income tax cut for those making more than $18,000 a year and an expansion of a tax credit for low-income workers. Critics argue that these tax cuts unfairly benefit the wealthy and lawmakers will have to negotiate the budget over the coming months.
Additionally, Gianforte’s budget includes a key policy to cut property taxes for primary residences while shifting a higher tax burden onto second and short-term rental homes. The governor is also prioritizing public safety, proposing funding for Highway Patrol pay, expanding the Montana State Prison, and creating a commission for a long-term public safety plan. Other highlights of the budget include maintaining funding for a child care scholarship, boosting early-career teacher pay, and allocating money for the state’s public employee pension system. The Legislature will convene in January to further discuss and implement these proposals.
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