Sunday, February 16, 2025
spot_imgspot_img

Top 5 This Week

spot_imgspot_img

Related Posts

Lawmakers contemplate using resort tax revenue for workforce housing


Montana lawmakers are currently considering legislation that would allow resort communities to use revenue from local sales taxes for workforce housing, in addition to infrastructure projects. The resort tax was originally established in 1985 to offset the impact of tourism on local communities. The proposed bills, House Bill 162 and Senate Bill 172, seek to address the housing shortages faced by resort communities, particularly in providing housing for lower-income workers in the tourism industry.

Senator Dave Fern, who is carrying SB 172, highlighted the popularity of the additional sales tax in resort towns like Whitefish, mentioning the visible improvements in infrastructure and property tax relief. The bills would also raise the population limit for areas classified as resort communities to accommodate for population growth in Montana.

Supporters, such as Jake Brown from Shelter Whitefish, see the legislation as a step towards addressing the housing crisis in Montana. Brown emphasized that the bills would provide local jurisdictions with more flexibility in tackling housing issues. Additionally, SB 172 aims to accurately reflect the current population of Montana by expanding the definition of resort communities and resort areas.

If passed, the legislation would allow resort communities to allocate funds towards workforce housing, giving them the resources needed to tackle housing shortages and support the workers who contribute to the tourism industry. The bills have received positive feedback from stakeholders and are seen as a positive step towards addressing the housing crisis in Montana.

Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Popular Articles