Governor Gianforte: Montanans Sent Us Here To Get Things Done

Underscores importance of tax relief, investments in public safety

• April 03 2025

HELENA, Mont. – During a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte today emphasized the importance of delivering permanent meaningful tax relief to Montanans this year and called on the legislature to prioritize investments in public safety.

“I fundamentally believe Montanans sent policymakers to Helena to address the challenges they face,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Our focus remains on delivering meaningful solutions to those challenges: cutting taxes, creating a high-quality education system, and standing up for the most fundamental responsibility of government – to keep our people safe.”

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

Last week, the governor joined an Americans for Prosperity rally with conservative legislators and Montanans to support Senate Bill 323, sponsored by Sen. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton. Senate Bill 323, which the governor proposed, is the largest income tax cut in state history, provides a tax cut to Montanans at every income level, and reduces the income tax rate most Montanans pay from 5.9% to 4.9%.

At today’s press conference, Gov. Gianforte noted the impacts of his record of historic tax cuts since taking office, saying, “Our tax cuts have led to record low unemployment, record wage growth outpacing inflation, record job creation, and record business creation.”

The governor added, “Our policies have worked. This is not a time to slow down.”

Noting that Montanans pay the highest income tax rate in the region, the governor emphasized how there is more work to do.

“Now there are a lot of proposals out there about how to reduce income taxes this session. Some only benefit some taxpayers. Our proposal benefits Montanans at every income level, just like our past proposals,” he said.

In contrast, the Senate today passed a bill that fails to cut income taxes for Montanans at every income level. In fact, the Senate-passed bill may leave up to 40 percent of Montana income taxpayers, or about more than 200,000 taxpayers, without a tax cut.

Identifying public safety as another key component of his agenda, Gov. Gianforte discussed his call for $150 million of one-time-only funding to expand capacity at the Montana State Prison by 500 beds and $250 million in one-time-only funding to develop and execute a long-term plan to improve public safety and keep criminals off the streets.

“Here in Helena, we have a duty to confront our state’s public safety challenges head-on, and we must give law enforcement officers the resources they need to lock up violent criminals and hold them accountable. That’s why we proposed historic investments to fix what is broken, get criminals off our streets, and keep Montanans safe,” the governor said, indicating that the investments to increase capacity at the state prison will help relieve overcrowding in city and county detention centers.

Sharing feedback from a recent visit to Yellowstone County with local and federal law enforcement officers, state corrections officers, and county attorneys, Gov. Gianforte relayed the frustration he heard from local officials. They emphasized how they manage interactions with repeat offenders while they have no room in their facility or lack proper resources to prosecute them. They also praised the governor’s proposed investments to increase pay for correctional officers and Montana Highway Patrol troopers.

“By making these investments, we can ensure our law enforcement officers are supported, and Montanans are safe,” the governor concluded.

Watch a video of Gov. Gianforte’s press conference here .

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