Supporters of a bill winding its way through the Legislature say it will finally bring fairness when it comes to property taxes paid to counties with more state-owned lands, but others warn it takes funds from a much-needed lodging tax that helps Montanaâs lodging industry reeling from the punch of COVID-19.
However, those who opposed parts of the bill werenât necessarily against the whole thing, but said it should take the funds from the portion of the lodging tax that goes to the stateâs general fund and not the share that goes to help tourism.
Senate Bill 355, sponsored by Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, would take away $482,000 of the lodging facility taxes from the Montana Historical Society, the Montana University System, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Tribal Economic Development and give it to 16 of the stateâs 56 counties where more than 6% of the land is owned by the state. The biggest chunk, $303,660, would come from the Department of Commerce, which uses
The Montana Senate on Tuesday endorsed legislation to expand where gun owners can carry a concealed weapon across the state, including campuses, bars and casinos.
The bill passed on second reading in the Senate by a 30-20 vote which, while bipartisan, did not get uniform support from the GOP as it did in the House. Two Republicans, Sens. John Esp of Big Timber, who had voted against the measure in the Senate Judiciary Committee that sent HB 102 to the Senate floor, and Brian Hoven went against the bill. One Democrat, Sen. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls, voted for it.Â
The debate on the Senate floor drew fodder from both sides of the aisle, but those that quieted the floor were Republicans on either side of the vote who spoke with deeply personal anecdotes.Â
Advocates fight to protect Montana mobile home parks from aggressive buyers | Local News
News Highlights: Advocates fight to protect Montana mobile home parks from aggressive buyers | Local News.
“When you wake up, you wonder, are you getting water,” she said.
It has been a bumpy transition for the residents.
Katelyn Anton sits down with her daughter Kassie, 13, while working on remote homework from her bedroom Friday at the family’s house in Meadowlark Mobile Home Park in Billings. Even with the struggles new owners faced in the mobile home park, Kassie, an eighth-grader, was recently placed on an honors roll with a perfect GPA.
Advocates fight to protect Montana mobile home parks from aggressive buyers | State & Regional
News Highlights: Advocates fight to protect Montana mobile home parks from aggressive buyers | State & Regional.
“When you wake up, you wonder, are you getting water,” she said.
It has been a bumpy transition for the residents.
Katelyn Anton sits down with her daughter Kassie, 13, while working on remote homework from her bedroom Friday at the family’s house in Meadowlark Mobile Home Park in Billings. Even with the struggles new owners faced in the mobile home park, Kassie, an eighth-grader, was recently placed on an honors roll with a perfect GPA.