Gianforte increased taxes, decreased freedom

Did you watch the candidates for governor debate? Don’t feel bad, almost nobody did.

Gov. Greg Gianforte only agreed to one debate, no voters present at 2 p.m., on a Wednesday.

Here are the things he didn’t want you to see and hear.

Gianforte raised property taxes for homeowners at the fastest rate in history, even thoughMontana had the largest budget surplus in history (just like the other 49 states thanks to federal Covid-19 funding).

Where did your money go? Gianforte claimed the Republican county commissioners spent it.

A lie. Commissioners can only raise rates at half the rate of inflation. The $200 million was taken from homeowners and given to NorthWestern Energy, BNSF Railway, pipelines, refineries and mostly out-of-state corporations that raised rates and employed nobody new from Montana.

Gianforte said small business and farmers got the tax breaks from your home’s tax increases.

Not true.

I was governor for eight years and never raised taxes or fees on anybody. Gianforte managed to raise your home’s taxes at the fastest rate in history, in just 2.5 years.

Ryan Busse asked Gianforte why taxes went up for all of Gianforte’s neighbors’ homes and went down for his. Good question. We would all like to know. Gianforte would not answer.

As a Republican, Gianforte ran on lower taxes and less regulation. As a governor, he raised your taxes and increased regulation.

As governor he passed five laws that regulate the health decisions of women. No Montana woman needs the advice of Gianforte in their doctor’s office. If a Montana woman decides to have an abortion, it is her decision. That is Montana freedom.

Gianforte is not from Montana, so maybe he doesn’t understand that we, our parents, grandparents and ancestors chose to live in Montana because we don’t want government poking into our private business. My health are decisions, where, how and if I pray, and where I lock my guns is none of your damn business, Governor Gianforte. Welcome to Montana.

We have always enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and camping on public land. Montana has some of the most majestic places on the planet for our families to enjoy. 

Ryan Busse asked Gianforte why he was the first Montana governor in history to file a lawsuit to stop public access to public land. Gianforte did not answer.

Montana you have the answer. Vote for Ryan Busse. We can get our Montana back.

Brian Schweitzer served as Montana governor for two terms.