Gov. Gianforte: “Montanans Are Struggling With the Biden Inflation Tax”

Governor Urges Biden, Democrats to End Spending Spree as Inflation Surges to 39-Year High

• December 10 2021

HELENA, Mont. – In response to today’s report from the federal government that inflation surged to a 39-year high in November, Governor Greg Gianforte called on President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats to turn off the spigot of out-of-control spending.

“Montanans are struggling with the Biden inflation tax, seeing their paychecks stretched thinner and thinner as inflation hits a high we haven’t seen in nearly four decades. Inflation is making it harder and harder for Montana to put gas in their cars and trucks, put food on the table, and heat their homes,” Gov. Gianforte said.

“In spite of this troubling reality, President Biden and Democrats in Washington, D.C. insist on spending trillions of dollars in new government spending, which will only make the inflation tax worse for hardworking Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte continued. “I urge President Biden and Democrats in D.C. to turn off the spigot of out-of-control spending and get inflation under control.”

Over the last 12 months ending in November 2021, inflation surged to 6.8%, according to today’s report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor. Inflation has not been this high since June 1982, 39 years ago.

Over the last 12 months, BLS reports energy prices soared 33.3% and grocery prices rose 6.4%, highs not seen since the 2008 recession, according to CNN. Gas prices surged 58.1%, the sharpest increase since 1980.

See below, or here, for data from BLS about inflation for specific goods over the last 12 months.

Groceries, up 6.4%

• bacon, up 21.0%
• beef up, 20.9%
• chicken, up 9.2%
• eggs, up 8.0%
• coffee, up 7.5%
• milk up, 4.6%
• canned fruits and vegetables, up 4.2%
• fresh fruits and vegetables up, 4.0%
• baby food, up 6.7 %

Energy, up 33.3%

• gas, up 58.1%
• fuel oil, up 59.3%
• propane, kerosene, and firewood, up 34.3%

Transportation

• used cars and trucks, up 31.4%
• new cars and trucks, up 11.1%
• maintenance and repair on cars and trucks, up 4.9%
• car and truck rentals, up 37.2%

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