Letters to the editor Jan. 7

Property taxes

I’m very perplexed with some of my fellow Republican legislators. Voting “no” to hold a special session to address property taxes, or not take the time to vote, simply means that the status quo is acceptable. 

It is our duty to represent our constituents and not abdicate our responsibility to the governor’s task force. Let me be crystal clear to the taxpaying public, our current governor, the Montana Solutions Caucus and the Democrats have already earmarked much of this current surplus. The same exact scenario played out in the summer of 2022.  

In January 2023 when we arrived in Helena, it was apparent that the die was already cast. The back room deals were already made. 

The conservative Republicans had legislation to address property taxes. Can we go back, pause, and use pre-Covid assessments? Before the housing spike? Nope. 

Rep. Caleb Hinkle had a bill to cap percentages levied? Nope. 

Can we simply use acquisition value of a person’s property? Tax them for what they actually paid for their home? Nope. 

If your new neighbor paid three times what a house is worth that doesn’t mean your house is magically a mansion? Especially if you have no intention of ever selling? 

I’m sorry but the sad reality is we have a Republican supermajority on paper. The $675 property tax rebate was merely penance and simply a political ploy to garner votes. 

Folks, friends, family, this only gets worse until a constitutional conservative Republican is in the governor’s office.

— Rep. Tanner Smith, R-Lakeside, is a gubernatorial candidate in 2024

Medicare cuts

Thank you, Congressman Ryan Zinke.

I am a physical therapist who is honored to have the opportunity to go to work each day to improve the health and quality of life for the residents of the Flathead Valley.  

Montanans know, and can surely feel, that costs for everything have increased greatly over the past few years. This burden has been felt at the gas pumps, grocery stores and when a Montanan looks into purchasing a home.  

In California, 2024 will bring in free healthcare for over 700,000 illegal immigrants. Hardworking American citizen taxpayers across the country, however, will receive a 3.37% cut in their reimbursement under Medicare. Further restricting senior citizens’ access to healthcare is unconscionable.  

For this reason, I am particularly grateful for Zinke for sending a letter along with several other lawmakers to House and Senate leadership urging congressional action to prevent the impending 3.37% cut in Medicare reimbursement.

Medicare cuts, especially in this particular time when costs for everything have escalated, will result in further restricting Montanans access to healthcare services.  

Thank you, Congressman Ryan Zinke, for taking the lead in supporting Montanans’ access to health care.

— Ricardo A. Fernandez, Kalispell