Did your Republican legislators represent you?

The Republican Party stands for limited government, personal liberty, and most critically, lower taxes. That’s not just rhetoric; it’s a basic principle stated in the Republican Party platform.

But did Senate Republican leadership support any significant tax relief in the 2025 legislative session? Sadly, the answer is no. 

During the legislative session, Gov. Greg Gianforte introduced, and I proudly sponsored, SB 323 which would have lowered Montana’s top income tax rate to 4.7% from 5.9%, giving relief to hardworking families and small businesses across the state. 

Senate Bill 323 was backed not only by Gianforte but also endorsed by national conservative leaders like Donald Trump Jr., Charlie Kirk and Americans for Prosperity-leaders who understand that lower taxes are essential to economic freedom and growth. With such backing and Republican control in Helena, this bill should have easily sailed through. 

But instead, Senate leaders like Matt Regier and Ken Bognor — those tasked with guiding the Republican agenda — chose to torpedo it. So much for conservative leadership. 

But that’s not all. Regier and Bogner tried to stop Gianforte’s property tax relief plan, too. These legislators stood in staunch opposition to HB 231 and SB 542, the primary property tax relief bills. And legislators like Barry Usher, Theresa Manzella, Daniel Emrich, Mark Noland, Dennis Lenz and Daniel Zolnikov followed their lead and voted no. 

House Bill 231 and SB 542 provide significant property tax relief for you. If you live in Flathead County, your property taxes will decrease $800 a year on a $400,000 home and $1,100 a year on a $600,000 home.

If you live in Yellowstone County, your property taxes will decrease $900 a year on a $400,000 home. The savings are even better in Custer County, where your property taxes will decrease by $900 a year on a $300,000 home. 

Sadly, 22 Senate Republicans voted no. 

You are probably asking, why aren’t these Republicans supporting significant income and property tax relief for you? It’s probably because they have other priorities. 

In places like Flathead County, where Canadians and wealthy nonresidents own substantial amounts of property, legislators like Regier, Carl Glimm and Noland tried to shield these wealthy nonresidents from higher property taxes instead of providing relief to full-time Montana residents. The message from 22 Republican senators was loud and clear: protecting nonresident homeowners is more important than helping the hardworking families who actually live, work and vote here. 

While these lawmakers turned their backs on tax relief, they all voted for SJ 6, a measure to approve construction of a $160 million government office building for the Legislature in Helena. A building that will sit empty 20 out of every 24 months. Let that sink in. 

They said no to cutting your property taxes, and yes to building a luxury office complex that will barely be used. 

Since when is it conservative to block tax cuts for Montanans and turn around and spend $160 million on a building nobody needs? 

It’s not. And every taxpayer in Montana should be outraged. 

Montanans deserve tax relief; not a new $160 million office building. It’s time to hold legislators who voted against HB 231, SB 323 and SB 542 accountable, because they are not representing you.

Sen. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton