Dear Editor: Governor’s Veto of SB442

Dear Editor,

Did you get your new property tax bill? Well, if you’re not crying or in a fit of rage, the Montana Republicans just gave you another increase in your taxes! Last week, the Secretary of State announced that the Legislature failed to override Governor Gianforte’s veto of SB442, a bi-partisan piece of legislation that flew through the House and Senate by overwhelming majorities.

This important legislation would have directed the use of Marijuana taxes and, according to the Legislative Services Division, invested more than $16 million to fix county roads in every county in Montana. The bill also would have made major investments in public lands, behavioral health, and veteran’s services. Now, these revenues will be directed to the General Fund instead of locally, where they would have been put to good use.

After months of litigation, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that the Governor’s veto was unconstitutional. In typical fashion, Republicans cried foul, citing government overreach, and chose to take it out on the taxpayers instead of the increasingly unpopular Governor for his unbelievable actions.

It only makes one wonder if the Governor plans to distribute these funds to his wealthy contributors or corporate interests as he did in 2023.

Maybe you should ask Becky Beard, a sitting Senator, why she declined to vote on this matter. It certainly wasn’t to help the local hunters, recreationists, or taxpayers.

JEFF BENSON

Boulder, Montana

District 38 Senate Candidate