Governor Gianforte Provides Update on Montanans’ To-Do List

• April 17 2025

HELENA, Mont. – During a press conference held at the State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte today provided an update on the legislative progress of Montanans’ to-do list.

“In November, Montanans sent us here with a clear mission – they gave us a ‘to-do’ list,” Gov. Gianforte said. “They said they wanted us to work together to reduce property taxes, limit spending, cut income taxes, reform the judiciary, and increase starting teacher pay.  As we get down to the wire, the Legislature is working hard to make progress on our to-do list.”

Gov. Gianforte speaking during a press conference at the State Capitol 

Unveiling a poster outlining Montanans’ priorities, the governor provided an update on the progress of tax relief, the budget, judicial reform, and a proposal to raise starting teacher pay – indicating that property tax relief must remain as a top priority.

The governor’s priority property tax proposal, the Homestead Rate Cut, is carried in House Bill 231, and is a recommendation produced by the governor’s diverse, bipartisan Property Tax Task Force. According to estimates, the governor’s original proposal was projected to directly reduce property taxes for more than 215,000 primary residences, more than 32,000 small businesses, and provide indirect relief for over 130,000 renters.

“Montanans deserve permanent, meaningful property tax relief. As I have this entire legislative session, I continue to urge the Legislature to keep its focus on Montanans who live in their primary residence, the place they call home – and not those who only live here part of the year,” the governor said.

The Homestead Rate Cut passed the House in late February. Yesterday, the bill was amended in the Senate Taxation Committee and will be scheduled for second reading on the Senate floor.

On income tax relief, Gov. Gianforte reiterated his support for reducing the tax rate that most Montanans pay to benefit Montanans at every income level. In November, Gov. Gianforte released his budget proposal which included the largest income tax cut in state history, reducing the income tax rate most Montanans pay from 5.9% to 4.9%.

Pivoting to discussion on the status of his budget proposal, the Path to Security and Prosperity, the governor noted that the budget has grown as it’s made its way through the legislative process, adding, “Montanans expect us to pass and enact a responsible budget – one that limits government spending and balances the budget. Our budget did just that. It kept spending growth under the rate of inflation without growing the size of government.”

Yesterday, the House passed House Bill 2, the budget bill, with several amendments. The bill is being heard today on the Senate floor.

Rounding out the press conference, the governor praised the progress of the STARS Act, House Bill 252, sponsored by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, to raise starting teacher pay, saying, “I’m grateful the STARS Act passed the Senate on second reading by a wide, bipartisan margin. By raising starting teacher pay, we can ensure that students across our state, especially in our rural areas, benefit from a quality education.”

The press conference can be watched here.

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