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Vol. 19, No. 26
March 15, 2023
Legislators provide update during transmittal break By Summer Goddard Valley Journal
Housing pg. 6
Inspection season pg. 13
Snowpack report pg. 16
RONAN — Funding of Public Law 280, protecting the interests of a community at odds with a corporation, and the purpose of a law that erodes parental rights were concerns Lake County citizens brought to their legislators during a March 6 meeting. The legislative update, hosted by Northwest Counties Farm Bureau in conjunction with the Lake County Commissioners and the Lake County Democrat and Republican Central committees was attended by approximately 60 people at the Ronan Community Center. Senator Greg Hertz of Polson, Senate District 6, spoke first. “My forte is tax issues,” he said. “I’m also spending a lot of time on judiciary and tort reform this session along with a few housing bills and some healthcare related bills.” Of the state’s $2.5 billion budget surplus, he said $1 million will go
SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL
An attendee of the March 6 legislative update asks, other than the two illegal voters in Phillips County, what information prompted the new bills regarding Montana’s election security. Both Sen. Salomon and Rep. Reksten commented that significant public concern around the issue spurred legislative actions.
back to taxpayers through one income and two property tax rebates. He anticipates the income tax rebate, up to $1,250 for a single individual and $2,500 for married family, will roll out late
spring / early summer. The property tax rebates on a taxpayer’s personal residence will be available via application this fall and next fall. A bill called “debt free in ’23” allocates $150 mil-
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lion to pay down some of the state’s debt – which he said will save an estimated $25 million a year in ongoing interest – money which can then be used elsewhere. Another bill introduced
will lower the top tax rate from 6.5% to 5.9%, and increase the earned income credit threefold for low income working families. HB212, which see page 2