Economy
Montana Dems roll out 3 bills to cut taxes
Montana Democrats and Republicans agree on one thing – Montanans need tax cuts. Beyond that, there are a number of proposals and plans, including Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s, on how to achieve lowering taxes and still end up with a constitutionally-mandated balanced budget. Previously, Gianforte presented his budget to the lawmakers, and it held the […]
Legislative efforts to protect trailer park residents from eviction show mixed results
The plight of residents in mobile home communities has caught the attention of state and federal lawmakers, who are working to craft legislation that would safeguard the rights of homeowners while helping to keep rents affordable. So far, the results have been mixed. The National Consumer Law Center says 15 states and Washington, D.C., have […]
Wall Street investors pricing Americans out of last bastion of affordable housing
In the spring of 2013, Holly Hook purchased a mobile home and moved it to Swartz Creek Estates, a manufactured housing community in Swartz Creek, Michigan. At the time, her plan was to become a full-time fiction writer. Knowing her income would remain modest for the foreseeable future, she wanted a comfortable place to live […]
Biden rolls out $1.9 trillion plan for another COVID recovery
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden is calling on Congress to approve a sweeping package for economic and pandemic relief with a price tag twice that of the emergency aid passed in December after months of acrimonious negotiations. Biden’s $1.9 trillion proposal, which he outlined in a speech Thursday evening, is framed around boosting funding in […]
House committee signs off on new loans for affordable rentals
A legislative panel voted Wednesday to double the amount of money that the state can loan to developers of rental homes for low and middle-income Montanans — a move that advocates say is a small step towards addressing the state’s growing affordable housing crisis. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday recommended passage of the bill, […]
Montana alcohol sales surge in pandemic
When COVID-19 hit, people couldn’t go to their favorite restaurants and bars, and they started stocking up on alcohol supplies for home. Montanans have purchased more beer, liquor and wine in the months since the pandemic hit compared to 2019, according to data from the Montana Department of Revenue. Gross liquor sales alone are up […]
Gianforte unveils his first budget
In his 2023 biennium budget announcement Jan. 7, Gov. Greg Gianforte focused on lowering taxes, reducing spending and enticing private businesses to remain — or relocate — in Montana. Dubbed the “Road Map to the Montana Comeback,” some of Gianforte’s proposals included: Decreasing general fund spending by $100 million during the two fiscal years from […]