Montana Legislators Vote Down Special Session on Property Taxes

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen issued a press release at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 29 stating that state legislators responding to a poll voted down an effort to call a special session to address the issue of property taxes.

Secretary of State Jacobsen Polled Legislators on a Special Session

According to Jacobsen’s office, ‘The Secretary of State's Office concluded the polling of legislators on Friday, December 29, 2023, pursuant to 5-3-106, Montana Code Annotated. With only 55 legislators replying affirmatively, a majority of the legislators (greater than or equal to 76) failed to approve the call for a special session as seen in 5-3-108, MCA. (Montana Code Annotated).’

The following is a breakdown of how Missoula County legislators who responded to the poll voted on the issue.

There was very Little Support of a Special Session by Missoula Legislators

In the State House of Representatives, 9 Missoula County legislators voted against the special session, while only 2 Missoula County Republicans voted yes.

Those who voted included Sullivan, Marler, Keogh, France, Howell, Karlen, Carter, and Thane, while Democrat Zephyr and Republican Hopkins did not vote.

The Republicans who voted ‘yes’ were Reed and Hellegaard.

In the State Senate, 5 Democrats and 1 Republican all cast ‘no’ votes;

They include Democrats Boldman, O’Brien, Morigeau, Curdy and Olson, with Republican Salonen also voting ‘no’.

Click here to see the votes of all the state legislators who responded to the poll.

Residential Revaluations led to Much Higher Residential Property Taxes

A statewide grassroots effort to call a special session began when residential property valuations skyrocketed in the past year, leading to dramatically higher property taxes throughout the state.

Some counties attempted to lower the number of mills that homeowners would have to pay, but that effort was ruled illegal by the Montana Supreme Court, so many Montana counties had to add extra payments for their property taxes.