During the last 36 years, the Montana Department of Revenue has helped the governors prepare a balanced budget before the Legislature arrives. Montana’s Govs. Marc Racicot, Judy Martz, Brian Schweitzer and Steve Bullock knew that the Montana Constitution requires a balanced budget. The budget cannot spend more money than comes in from taxes and other sources.
In each of those years, the governor was given the most recent property appraisals to help calculate the property taxes that would be collected to balance the budget. In almost all of those years, the value of properties (including houses) had increased — sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot.
Governors — Republican and Democrat — were formerly advised by Revenue Department experts that unless the property tax rate was adjusted downward by the Governor and Legislature, property taxes (residential taxes are 60 percent of the total) would increase. For 36 years, those governors listened to the recommendation and they adjusted — cut — the rate so homeowners would NOT get tax increases.
I know about these things, because as your governor for eight years, I did not raise one tax or fee on anything… property, income, booze,… nothing!
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Gov. Greg Gianforte was advised by his Revenue Department in November 2022 that the rate for the coming two years would have to be cut from 1.35% to 0.94% to ensure that homeowners would not see huge tax increases. He chose, and the Legislature agreed, not to adjust the rate, and homeowners have had their taxes increase at the fastest rate in history. This new taxation increased revenue collected by the Montana state budget by more than $500 million during two years. Taxes increased for most homes in Montana.
Montana has never had more elected Republicans than we do today. Republicans control all the branches of government. These tax increases were placed on your shoulders without the help or consent of any Democrat. The Montana Republican Party is now the party of higher taxes and more government spending.
Housing costs will continue to increase across Montana because of the tax hike. Rents will increase for renters because property owners will pass the tax increases along to tenants.
Because of COVID concerns about a downturn in the economy, the Trump and Biden administrations poured money into all 50 state budgets. When Gianforte prepared the state budget, he had the largest budget surplus — $2.6 billion — in history. All 50 states also had historic surpluses.
So who got the money?
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No funding increases for education or healthcare. No help for working families, state employees or main street businesses.
Montana’s largest two property tax payers are NorthWestern Energy and BNSF Railroad . They each got millions of dollars in tax cuts. Northwestern sent the loot to corporate headquarters in South Dakota and then raised your electric rates. BNSF sent the stash to Fort Worth, Texas, and increased freight rates to ship Montana’s wheat crop to Portland. Refineries, pipelines, transmission lines and mines all got big tax breaks and did not invest more in Montana or hire more Montana workers. They just sent your money to their shareholders.
The governor and Republican legislators first claimed that they did not raise taxes, then falsely claimed that counties raised your property taxes. County Commissioners (most are Republicans) were disgusted by that accusation and unsuccessfully sued the governor to try to cut your taxes, reminding the Helena crowd that state law only allows counties to increase spending by half the annual inflation rate (around 2%).
The embarrassed governor finally convened a “property tax task force.” The task force consisted of the governor’s staff, pals, legislators and lobbyists He even appointed some out of state “experts.” They prepared a 30-page document with all kinds of ideas, but still did not recommend the simple solution of cutting the tax rate from 1.35% to 0.94%. So, your home’s taxes are still increasing.
The 30-page document (smoke and mirrors) was prepared by the same governor’s staff, legislators and lobbyists that concocted and voted for your tax increases during the 2023 legislative session. Thirty pages of recommendations yet not a single vote was cast.
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I guess they all agreed before they sat down that your taxes should go up and that out-of-state corporations get to keep your money.
Brian Schweitzer is a third generation Montana farmer, husband, father, grandfather and served as Montana’s Governor from 2005 to 2013.
California has launched a huge crackdown on criminals buying and registering supercars outside of the state to avoid eye-popping sales tax.
Fourteen people have been charged after $20 million worth of vehicles were sourced to the Big Sky State in what authorities are calling the “Montana Loophole.”
California has launched a huge crackdown on criminals buying and registering supercars outside of the state to avoid eye-popping sales tax. Office of the Attorney General of California
The cars include a $1.8 million McLaren Elva, a Porsche 918 Spyder and a $1.26 million Ferrari F12TDF, the attorney general’s office said.
In the Golden State base rate sales tax is 7.25%. For a Lamborghini or Ferrari that can reach up to $250,000 or higher, that can mean a tax bill over $18,000. In Montana it is zero.
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The gang, from Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara and Sacramento, allegedly dodged more than $1.8 million in taxes since 2018.
They are accused of filing false records showing the supercars were bought in Montana but then drove and kept them in California.
Fourteen people have been charged after $20 million worth of vehicles were sourced to the Big Sky State in what authorities are calling the “Montana Loophole.” Office of the Attorney General of California
The DMV has launched nearly 100 criminal investigations into similar schemes across California since 2023 and recovered $2.3 million. It says the schemes are costing over $10 million per year.
It says there are 601 fraudulently registered cars involved and the DMV and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration have reviewing all car sales made in Montana.
California AG Rob Bonta said: “When bad actors abuse legal loopholes and submit fraudulent documents to evade their obligations, the California Department of Justice will not stand idly by.
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“Every dollar of unpaid taxes is a dollar taken from California’s roads, schools and the vital services our communities rely on.”
The DMV has launched nearly 100 criminal investigations into similar schemes across California since 2023 and recovered $2.3 million. It says the schemes are costing over $10 million per year. Office of the Attorney General of California
The AG’s office said Beverly Hills was the city with the most suspicious car sales, with 416 cases on its radar from the luxury enclave.
It also released a series of text messages from defendants in Marin County and Walnut Creek, which said: “Don’t want the state of California to know anything about this car.”
Another asked: “Before you deliver it to him can you please remove the dealer plate.” One more asked if those with Montana plates had issues, the reply was: “Not yet.”
Another defendant added: “70k saved — I can’t believe the registration lasts for five years — that’s crazy. Stupid California. Paid 3k to own a 600k car for 5 years — lol in Cali that’s like 75k for 5 years. Hella dumb.”
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California DMV Director Steve Gordon said: “We encourage all Californians to do the right thing and register their vehicle here if they are operating it in California.”
The No. 2 seed Montana State Bobcats (23-6) will square off against the No. 8 seed Montana Lady Griz (9-21) in the Big Sky tournament Sunday at Idaho Central Arena, tipping off at 4:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch Montana Lady Griz vs. Montana State Bobcats
Stats to know
Montana State averages 74.8 points per game (42nd in college basketball) while allowing 60.9 per contest (101st in college basketball). It has a +403 scoring differential overall and outscores opponents by 13.9 points per game.
Montana State makes 7.5 three-pointers per game (61st in college basketball) at a 29.4% rate (244th in college basketball), compared to the 6.7 its opponents make while shooting 32.9% from deep.
Montana has a -270 scoring differential, falling short by 9.0 points per game. It is putting up 62.2 points per game, 252nd in college basketball, and is allowing 71.2 per outing to rank 310th in college basketball.
Montana hits 2.2 more threes per game than the opposition, 9.2 (12th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 7.0.
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Photo: Patrick Smith, Andy Lyons, Steph Chambers, Jamie Squire / Getty Images
BOISE, Idaho — It became clear at about 1 p.m. Saturday that Avery Waddington, Montana’s second leading scorer and top rebounder — would not play in the first round of the Big Sky Conference tournament at Idaho Central Arena.
Waddington was battling the onset of an illness since earlier in the morning that neither rest nor fluids could quell. Another starter — Jocelyn Land — wasn’t feeling her best, either, nor were two Lady Griz assistant coaches.
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS:
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Depleted Montana edges NAU, sets up 2nd-round rematch with Montana State at Big Sky tourney
Some kind of bug had infiltrated the Montana women’s basketball team. But coach Nate Harris and the remaining Lady Griz weren’t about to bug out of the postseason, and went on to claim a 61-60 victory over Northern Arizona to keep their season intact.
No. 8-seeded Montana (9-21) advanced to secure a matchup with No. 2 seed and rival Montana State (23-6) in a Big Sky second-round game on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
“We just made it about, how hard can you play?” said Harris, who pumped his fist and celebrated with his team after NAU’s final shot rimmed off at the buzzer. “Everyone in here can defend their tail off, so let’s just get out there and guard, guard, guard and see if we can have one more point than the other team.”
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Harris’ words proved to be prophetic. Montana won by surviving a last-second shot by Northern Arizona’s Naomi White, an attempt she had to work hard to create after taking an inbound pass with less than three seconds left.
With the way they bowed out of last year’s Big Sky tournament — on a last-second shot by Montana State’s Marah Dykstra in the championship game — the Lady Griz were grateful to be on the other end of the drama.
“There have been situations where that memory has kind of come up (this season) and made me really nervous, and definitely today was one of them,” UM’s Mack Konig said. “However, you learn from your mistakes, and I think our team was prepared to play until the very end, so that was great.”
Greg Rachac / MTN Sports
Montana’s Joclyn Land drives during a game against Northern Arizona at the Big Sky Conference women’s basketball tournament at Idaho Central Arena on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Boise, Idaho.
After gutting it out in the first half, Montana’s Land left the game in the second half due to her malaise. But Konig scored a team-high 17 points and Rae Ehrman added 16 to pace the Lady Griz. Kennedy Gillette contributed 15 points and nine rebounds.
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NAU’s White led all scorers with 24 points while hitting 10 of 10 from the foul line.
As Harris stated, defense did the trick for the Lady Griz. With that as a focus, and with players defending out of position, notably Gillette, Konig and Macy Donarski in the post, Montana held the Lumberjacks to 31.7% shooting and a 5-for-20 showing from 3-point range. White, one of the league’s best players, shot 6-for-22 from the floor.
The Lady Griz are moving on to a rematch with Montana State in the second round. The Bobcats won both regular-season matchups by an average of 27.5 points. Throw in the memory of last year’s title-game chaos, and it’s a matchup Montana is looking forward to.
“It just makes us really excited for (Sunday),” Gillette said. “Chloe (Larsen) said in the locker room that it’s hard to beat a team three times, so that kind of gives us some juice. We know what we need to do and what to focus on.”
“It’s not a hard answer, right?” Harris said. “You have to take care of the rock, you have to rebound and you have to match, if not exceed, their level of toughness. I think today was a great lesson moving into that game.”
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Big Sky women’s tournament scoreboard
Saturday, March 7
Game 1: No. 9 Weber State 76, No. 10 Portland State 53
