Key Gianforte Tax Cut Policy Fails In The House mtpr.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mtpr.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By James Bradley & UM Legislative News Service
• Feb 25, 2021
This report covers proposed policy that could impact the funding for this radio station. We’re publishing it as part of our ongoing coverage of the 67th Montana Legislature.
HELENA Lawmakers on the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations committee heard public testimony on a bill that would bar state funds from supporting radio stations.
Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, sponsored the bill and was the only supporter at the hearing. Skees said he sponsored the bill because he doesn’t see a reason to support some radio stations and not others.
Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, chair of the House Rules Committee, listens as representatives debate over an amendment to “blast” motion rules on Jan. 8, 2019.
State Lawmaker Proposes Constitutional Amendment Limiting Tax Options
A Kalispell Republican has revived an effort to amend Montana’s Constitution in an attempt to fundamentally change the state’s tax code. Critics say the proposed policy is confusing and could leave a massive hole in the state budget.
Rep. Derek Skees says House Bill 261 is meant to protect taxpayers. It would amend Montana’s Constitution to say the state can only put in place three types of taxes: income, property and sales. It would also limit the state by requiring that only two of those taxes be in place at any time.
Republican lawmakers in the Montana House backtracked Wednesday on a proposal to give committee chairs more power during the 2021 legislative session. The rule could influence which bills get a public hearing.
Rep. Derek Skees, a Republican from Kalispell, said that after receiving significant push back from the public and other legislators, Republicans in the House Rules Committee have decided to remove an amendment that would have given committee chairs, who are all Republican, discretion to kill bills before they get a hearing.
Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, chair of the House Rules Committee, listens as representatives debate over an amendment to “blast” motion rules on Jan. 8, 2019.