Talk is cheap on property tax relief

Rep. Tom Millett, R-Marion, wrote an editorial challenging me and other legislators to debate the recently enacted property tax relief bills at the Montana Republican Party Winter Kickoff. This challenge came after Sen. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton, wrote an editorial challenging the Freedom Caucus to develop an alternative property tax solution and call a special session.

I am quite happy to debate Millett on this issue after he and his Freedom Caucus friends produce an alternative property tax proposal. Debates are about ideas, but it is hard to have a debate unless there is something to discuss. 

Just what is Millett’s plan? Talk is cheap. Let’s see a draft bill. That’s not too much to ask.

Besides producing a debatable property tax proposal, I have another challenge for Millett — he should pay his taxes. Frankly, I am astounded that Tom “Tax-Lien” Millett even wrote the editorial challenging me to a debate on the issue of taxes. 

Millett failed to pay his federal income tax and the IRS imposed tax liens on him for over $400,000. Millett is now critical of tax relief legislation which cut property taxes for over 85% of Montanans and 91% in Lincoln County. Is it a surprise that a person who fails to pay his taxes doesn’t care if you pay more?

But, what’s strange about Millett’s challenge is that he actually voted for SB 542, the bill creating the Homestead Exemption. Now, he is against it. 

Since Millett is on both sides of the property tax debate, perhaps, it would be better if he explained why he couldn’t be bothered to read the bill before he voted for it.

Millett claims that Kassmier’s challenge to the Freedom Caucus is “unserious.” But how serious is Millett? Not very! Instead of working on the issue of property tax reform, Millett spent his time drafting resolutions encouraging the sale of public lands and stripping Montanans of their right to vote for U.S. senators.

Kassmier correctly pointed out the Freedom Caucus is full of all talk, no action politicians. Tom Millett is certainly one of them. 

Instead of a property tax proposal, Millett proposed an all talk, no action activity. A real legislator would have taken Kassmier’s challenge and got to work on a property tax proposal.

Here is the bottom line. Millett doesn’t pay his taxes, is critical of legislation to reduce your property taxes, wants to sell off public lands, strip you of your right to vote for U.S. senator, and now criticizes people for voting for a bill he also voted for. You have got to be kidding me.

For the last several months, all we’ve heard from people like Millet and his Freedom Caucus cronies is belligerent, deceitful rhetoric. The truth is, Millett and the Freedom Caucus just want to raise your property taxes. That’s why they won’t show anybody a real property tax relief proposal.

Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda.