Gianforte highlights budget proposals at Kalispell Chamber event

Gov. Greg Gianforte touted the state’s budget surplus and boosted his plans for the windfall at an event organized for the Flathead Valley business community by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

High on Gianforte’s list of priorities for his proposed budget are rebates and cuts to property and income taxes. Gianforte aims to lower the tax rate for Montana residents making $19,800 or more from 6.9 percent to 5.9 percent. The governor told local business leaders he hopes eventually to see it lowered to 4.9 percent.

Gianforte also discussed his plan to establish a $1,200 child tax credit, which he said would help working parents cover child care expenses or help parents stay home to take care of their children.

Gianforte similarly highlighted his proposed investment in the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge and the state mental hospital in Warm Springs, as well as “local mental health” initiatives, though he did not offer details of the latter.

Acknowledging the state’s affordable housing crisis, the governor proposed what he called a supply-side fix, setting aside $200 million for loans aimed at high-density housing sewer and water projects.

Gianforte also floated investment in apprenticeship scholarships and high school work experience programs that would allow students to gain on-the-job training while garnering credit towards graduation.

The governor took a question about the Flathead County Commissioners’ decision against moving forward with C-PACE, an energy efficiency financing program that he signed into law last year. Gianforte described the program as a “tool to help businesses.”

“You have the commissioners’ phone numbers,” Gianforte said to the audience, which included Commissioners Brad Abell and Pam Holmquist. “You know where they live. If you feel strongly, let the commissioners know.”

After Gianforte’s remarks, Abell said that he agreed with the governor on the benefits of the program, but reiterated that if business owners want C-PACE implementation they need to talk to the commissioners directly.

Last month the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce organized a petition supporting the program to the commissioners, with 27 local businesses signing on. Abell said the lobbying didn’t go far enough to demonstrate interest.

“I want specific business owners to come to me,” Abell said. “I wasn’t personally contacted.”

Holmquist said she wanted to wait and see what happened in Kalispell before making any moves in that direction. Kalispell City Council has indicated support for creating a C-PACE district in recent weeks.

“We’ll read about it in the newspaper,” Holmquist said.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.