Letters for Aug. 24
Tax shift
The rise in property taxes across the state are a real problem the 69th Legislature attempted to address. As the dust settles on policies passed and signed into law, effects on taxpayers are becoming more clear.
Simply put, the new legislation shifted the tax burden. House Bill 231 and Senate Bill 542 work in concert to bring about these changes to your tax bill. One must ask if decreasing the tax on primary residential homes is equitable given the drastic increases it creates for agriculture and business property taxes, which will shift to the consumer.
These bills also fail to take into account workarounds to avoid taxation. Will those holding prime agriculture land opt to sell to developers building primary residences? Will those owning an inherited cabin on the lake ‘rent’ to a family member in order to avoid a 'second home’ tax increase of 68%? As the tax burden was merely shifted, these bills do nothing to limit government spending -- the crux of the real problem.
When you open your tax bill, be cognizant of those conservative legislators who voted against these tax shifts in favor of legislation to lower property taxes for everyone while limiting government spending. There were better proposals that truly support all taxpayers. How did your legislator represent you in property tax reform? Keep that in mind at the ballot box. You can see how your legislator voted by looking up bills on legmt.gov (specifically HB 231 and SB 542).
-Rep. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell
Beware of spin
Have you ever noticed that everything you see on your phone, whether it be Instagram, TikTok or your favorite news feed, is so darn compelling? It's called spin, folks, and if you're getting your news from any of these outlets, you're not get the facts.
Fox, CNN, MSNBC, and OAN etc. are all similar. If a news outlet takes more than two or three minutes to report a story it is most likely spin. The reason these stories are so compelling is these outlets know if they are not, they will lose you. Know the difference and dig deeper so you have the facts.
There is reason why a story about Donald Trump or Joe Biden broadcast on the BBC only takes a couple minutes: They are reporting the facts. When Fox or MSNBC reports it, it takes 20 minutes.
As a moderate who votes for the best candidate, and not the party, this is an insult to my intelligence and I won't be had. Be better people, do your homework and get the facts, and for god's sake don't tell me you like me because we are like-minded. Be an independent thinker. Making friends and associating with people because of politics is shallow and disingenuous. Friends are not about politics; they are about life experiences and camaraderie. Know the difference.
-Bob Saley, Kalispell