Montana tax policy needs solutions, not sound bites

Now, our governor is being forced to consider devastating cuts to essential services. At the same time, Republican candidates are taking advantage of this desperate situation by making vague promises for additional “tax cuts.”

This problem didn’t happen over just one session. It’s the result of years of harmful Republican tax cuts for a select group of wealthy folks. Many of us have been led to believe that Republicans are looking out for our families, because they throw around two magic words: “tax cuts.” However, the only beneficiaries of these cuts have been out-of-state corporations and the ultra-wealthy.

For instance, Senate Bill 407 from 2003 lowered taxes for the super-rich, and the rationale was that this would spur economic growth and create jobs. What actually happened was that the top 0.4 percent of Montana households got a tax break of more than $30,000 a year, while Montanans earning less than $100,000 per year received a mere $50.

But did the cuts at least grow the economy as promised? No. The Montana Budget and Policy Center analyzed the effect of these tax giveaways to the wealthy and confirmed that “there is no evidence (the tax cuts) created additional growth in Montana’s economy.”

For example, in recent sessions the Republican majority has repeatedly failed to pass infrastructure legislation, which would allow local governments to repair schools, bridges and roads and attract and keep businesses in our communities. Instead, they have increasingly shifted the tax burden to homeowners and the middle class to pay for those same services, squeezing Montanans even more.

Interestingly, Republican candidates in Missoula jump at the first opportunity to chastise local leaders for not pursuing tax cuts more aggressively. In fact, these measures were directly caused by the Republicans’ devastating giveaways to the ultra-wealthy and out-of-state corporations. We can’t be duped by those candidates that speak with honey in their mouths.

I refuse to believe that our only choice is between a government that works solely for the top 0.4 percent and a government that is forced to cut essential services working folks rely on. Let’s find solutions that sustain revenue for Montana while actually decreasing the tax burden on Montana families. Let’s create a fairer tax code that eliminates giveaways to out of state corporations. Let’s work in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that all Montanans have a fair and equal shot at prosperity.

I hope the Republican majority will join Bullock and Democratic legislators at the negotiating table to fix some of these handouts to the top 0.4 percent in our state. I know it’s possible, because many of us worked together on many issues over the years that have made our communities, and Montana, the amazing place that it is. I am committed to working with all of my colleagues to put together a responsible budget.