Montana

Montana Legislature continues work on tax relief bills

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2023

Montana Legislature continues work on tax relief bills

HELENA — Each Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Republican majority within the Montana Legislature have recognized tax aid as one in every of their high priorities for the 68^th Session. However as lawmakers start listening to the primary set of main tax payments, some variations have appeared in precisely how they need to return cash to taxpayers.

One in all Gianforte’s primary priorities has been a property tax rebate, utilizing a number of the state’s greater than $2 billion surplus. He’s backed Home Invoice 222, sponsored by Rep. Tom Welch, R-Dillon, which initially proposed a rebate of as much as $1,000 every of the following two years on a Montana property proprietor’s main residence inside the state. A fiscal evaluation estimates the invoice would have returned about $534 million to about 292,200 eligible households every year.

Final Wednesday, the Home Taxation Committee tabled HB 222. On the next morning, Gianforte – who has repeatedly referred to as for fast motion on tax payments – criticized the choice at his weekly information convention, saying it might delay wanted aid. Later that day, the committee revived HB 222 and superior it, however not earlier than amending it to chop the rebate to $500 every year.

Home Majority Chief Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Billings, made the preliminary movement to desk the invoice.

“Tabling a invoice through the legislative course of is one thing that’s utilized for quite a few causes,” she mentioned. “On this case, we simply wanted a little bit extra time to debate this advanced invoice, and we took 24 hours and introduced the invoice again, had a fantastic dialogue and handed it out.”

Vinton mentioned Republican lawmakers minimize the rebate with the intention of redirecting a number of the funding to an revenue tax rebate. Many within the Republican caucus had referred to as for that as early as final yr.

“Our caucus may be very cognizant of the necessity for property tax aid and revenue tax rebates on this state of affairs,” mentioned Vinton.

Vinton and the opposite high GOP leaders within the Home and Senate have signed on as co-sponsors to Home Invoice 192, launched by Rep. Invoice Mercer, R-Billings. That invoice proposes $250 million for property tax rebates and $650 million for revenue tax rebates.

Supporters of returning revenue taxes have mentioned it makes probably the most sense as a result of leaders imagine the state surplus got here largely from higher-than-expected revenue tax collections. It will additionally apply to a special set of Montanans than a property tax rebate. HB 192’s fiscal evaluation estimated 460,000 folks would obtain an revenue tax rebate.

HB 222 and HB 192 at the moment are amongst a number of main payments which might be in entrance of the Appropriations Committee, the Home’s primary funds panel. Others embody Home Invoice 212, from Rep. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton, which might elevate the exemption for the enterprise tools tax; and Home Invoice 251, from Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, which might dedicate $150 million to paying off state money owed.

It’s anticipated Appropriations will quickly begin coordinating the competing proposals – significantly these coping with one-time-only tax reductions – and advance a set of payments to the Home ground within the coming days.

Additionally in Appropriations is Home Invoice 258, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Karlen, D-Missoula, which Democrats have touted as their primary proposal for one-time property tax aid. It will additionally supply a property tax rebate, however in contrast to the Republican proposals, it might be focused to these making lower than 130% of their county’s median revenue, and it might additionally present funds for renters.

Although Democrats are within the minority, Home Minority Chief Rep. Kim Abbott, D-Helena, mentioned she hopes their concepts can be a part of the dialog as tax proposals begin shifting ahead.

“Our strategy on tax coverage is to get aid to the oldsters who want it,” she mentioned. “Any proposal that comes out of the Appropriations Committee, we’re going to evaluate with these values in thoughts – who’s benefiting, and is it serving to the oldsters that need assistance probably the most.”

Abbott mentioned it might be extra chargeable for the Legislature to attend for up to date income numbers in March earlier than taking motion on tax coverage.

Vinton acknowledged there might be extra surplus income coming in by the top of the session, and mentioned she expects these payments received’t be the final phrase on this problem.

“That is only a begin, and we actually will search for laws to proceed our efforts going ahead,” she mentioned.

Throughout his information convention final week, Gianforte mentioned he understood the Legislature would put its stamp on the tax payments, however he once more urged them to behave rapidly.

“My message may be very easy: It’s think about the plan, modify it if you happen to should, get it to my desk – as a result of we have to get the aid to Montanans,” he mentioned.

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Montana

What’s At Stake For No. 1 NDSU at No. 4 USD & No. 9 Montana at No. 2 Montana State?

Published

2 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

What’s At Stake For No. 1 NDSU at No. 4 USD & No. 9 Montana at No. 2 Montana State?

The FCS playoff picture will take shape with Week 13 games a day before FCS Selection Sunday.

The Top 4 seeds could be pretty clear, depending on results. The Top 5 seeds could also get real messy, depending on results.

Two Top 10-ranked matchups will especially impact the order of the overall Top 8 seeds: No. 1 NDSU at No. 4 USD and No. 9 Montana at No. 2 Montana State.

What does this weekend’s result mean for these four teams and their playoff positioning? We’ll go through the scenarios below.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll say things go chalk and No. 5 UC Davis wins at Sac State and No. 3 SDSU wins at No. 18 Missouri State, which is no guarantee, but they would be big upsets if Davis or SDSU were to lose.

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If Montana State & NDSU Win

NDSU and Montana State should be the Top 2 playoff seeds with home-field advantage.

It will be a healthy discussion in the selection room and during the committee member voting process on who the No. 1 seed is.

NDSU: 11-1 overall, 11-0 vs. the FCS, 5 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 1 strength of schedule
MSU: 12-0 overall, 3 currently-ranked wins, 3 Top 10 wins, FBS win, No. 22 SOS

NDSU has been ranked No. 1 for most of this year, and the committee could have the same mindset as voters, similar to 2022.

Two years ago, Sac State had a better on-paper resume than SDSU, but SDSU, who was ranked No. 1 for most of the season, got the top seed. Sac State was 11-0 with an FBS win, four ranked wins, and the No. 4 SOS. SDSU was 10-1 overall, 10-0 vs. the FCS, three ranked wins, and the No. 5 SOS.

Seeds 3-4 behind NDSU and MSU would probably be SDSU and UC Davis, assuming they win on Saturday.

SDSU: 10-2 overall, 9-1 vs. the FCS, 9 D1 wins, 3 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 3 SOS, FCS loss to NDSU
UC Davis: 10-2 overall, 10-1 vs. the FCS, 2 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 15 SOS, FCS loss to MSU

Mercer, Idaho, or UIW could fight for the No. 5 seed after this.

With a loss, Montana would finish 8-4 overall/vs. the FCS with two currently-ranked wins. The Grizzlies will likely get a 9-16 seed and host a first-round game.

With a loss, USD will be nervously wondering if it’ll get a first-round bye. The Coyotes would finish 8-3 overall with only seven D1 wins and zero currently-ranked victories. How does that stack up to other teams with nine or 10 D1 wins who are fighting for a Top 8 seed? USD’s No. 8 SOS could help its argument, and if it were to lose to NDSU, a close loss would be important for the “eye test” instead of getting blown out.

If Montana State & USD Win

Montana State should jump to the No. 1 seed at 12-0, three currently-ranked wins, three Top 10 wins, and an FBS win.

With a loss, Montana would finish 8-4 overall/vs. the FCS with two currently-ranked wins. The Grizzlies will likely get a 9-16 seed and host a first-round game.

Seeds 2-5 then get very interesting in this scenario. The committee would have to sort through these teams to seed behind Montana State (assuming SDSU and UC Davis win on Saturday):

UC Davis: 10-2 overall, 10-1 vs. the FCS, 2 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 15 SOS, FCS loss to MSU
NDSU: 10-2 overall, 10-1 vs. the FCS, 4 currently-ranked wins, 1 Top 10 win, No. 1 SOS, FCS loss to USD
USD: 9-2 overall, 8-1 vs. the FCS, 8 D1 wins, 1 currently-ranked win, 1 Top 10 win, No. 8 SOS, FCS loss to SDSU
SDSU: 10-2 overall, 9-1 vs. the FCS, 9 D1 wins, 3 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 3 SOS, FCS loss to NDSU

If Montana & NDSU Win

Montana should get into the Top 8 seeds at 9-3 overall/vs. the FCS with three currently-ranked wins, one Top 10 win, and the No. 18 SOS. The Griz would likely be in the 6-8 seed range.

NDSU should secure the No. 1 seed with a win and a Montana State loss. The Bison would be 11-1 overall, 11-0 vs. the FCS, five currently-ranked wins, two Top 10 wins, and the No. 1 SOS.

Seeds 2-4 then get very interesting in this scenario. The committee would have to sort through these teams to seed behind NDSU (assuming SDSU and UC Davis win on Saturday):

UC Davis: 10-2 overall, 10-1 vs. the FCS, 2 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 15 SOS, FCS loss to MSU
MSU: 11-1 overall, 11 D1 wins, 2 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, FBS win, No. 22 SOS, FCS loss to Montana
SDSU: 10-2 overall, 9-1 vs. the FCS, 9 D1 wins, 3 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 3 SOS, FCS loss to NDSU

Mercer, Idaho, or UIW could fight for the No. 5 seed after this.

If Montana & USD Win

Montana should get into the Top 8 seeds at 9-3 overall/vs. the FCS with three currently-ranked wins, one Top 10 win, and the No. 18 SOS. The Griz would likely be in the 6-8 seed range.

Seeds 1-5 would be an absolute battle in this scenario. The committee would have to sort through these teams to seed the Top 5 (assuming SDSU and UC Davis win on Saturday):

UC Davis: 10-2 overall, 10-1 vs. the FCS, 2 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 15 SOS, FCS loss to MSU
MSU: 11-1 overall, 11 D1 wins, 2 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, FBS win, No. 22 SOS, FCS loss to Montana
SDSU: 10-2 overall, 9-1 vs. the FCS, 9 D1 wins, 3 currently-ranked wins, 2 Top 10 wins, No. 3 SOS, FCS loss to NDSU
NDSU: 10-2 overall, 10-1 vs. the FCS, 4 currently-ranked wins, 1 Top 10 win, No. 1 SOS, FCS loss to USD
USD: 9-2 overall, 8-1 vs. the FCS, 8 D1 wins, 1 currently-ranked win, 1 Top 10 win, No. 8 SOS, FCS loss to SDSU

Uffda. Good luck!

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Montana

Pregnant Montana Brown shows off her blossoming baby bump in a stylish green bikini as she prepares to welcome her baby girl

Published

10 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Pregnant Montana Brown shows off her blossoming baby bump in a stylish green bikini as she prepares to welcome her baby girl

Montana Brown showed off her blossoming baby bump in a series of vacation snaps on Thursday.

The former Love Island star, 29, who is expecting her second child with fiancé Mark O’Connor, displayed her growing bump in a stylish green bikini which consisted of a triangle bikini top and a pair of tie-side bikini bottoms.

Cradling her bump, the TV star further accessorised her pool-side look with a pair of cool shades.

The mother-of-one captioned the gorgeous snaps with: ‘Not long Babygirl (heart emoji)’

Fans and close friends of the star then flocked to the comment section to pay their compliments.

One fan wrote: ‘A real life angel!!!’; ‘Gorgeous glowing mama’; ‘Feels like yesterday baby Jude was in there!!’

Pregnant Montana Brown showed off her blossoming baby bump while wearing a bikini in a series of vacation snaps on Thursday

The former Love Island star, 29, is expecting her second child with fiancé Mark O’Connor

Montana announced she was pregnant with her second child in July and took to her Instagram to share the happy news with her 1.1 million followers.

She displayed her tummy in a chic knit dress and cradled her stomach as she smiled for the camera in the clip.

Confirming that she is expecting again with her rugby player fiancé Mark, Montana wrote: ‘Two under two let’s go!’

Montana and Mark welcomed their first child, a son named Jude, in June last year and announced they were expecting again just 13 months later.

The couple travelled to Santorini after they enjoyed a week-long holiday with their son Jude in Montenegro and shared updates from their sun-soaked trip.

The reality personality was flooded with congratulatory messages from her famous friends and Instagram followers.

Gabby Allen, who appeared on her series of Love Island, wrote: ‘Omgggg.’

While fellow Love Island alum, Tasha Ghouri said: ‘Ahh!! Congratulations!’

The mother-of-one captioned the gorgeous snaps with: ‘Not long Babygirl (heart emoji)’

Samira Mighty penned: ‘Ahhhh.’

Food influencer Emily English posted a series of clapping hands while Tiffany Watson and Natalya Wright both said ‘congratulations’.

Other stars who shared their support included Vicky Pattison, Danielle Lloyd, Grace Beverley, Kendall Rae Knight and Elle Brown.

Earlier this year, Montana celebrated the joys and sorrows of motherhood as she paid tribute to her baby son Jude in a heartfelt Instagram post.

Montana reflected on her pregnancy journey seven months after her little one was born – as she shared her emotional thoughts with her followers.

She detailed the highs and lows of the ‘humbling’ experience, admitting she was always ‘one comment away from having a meltdown’ but it also made her ‘respect her body so much more’.

Sharing a throwback picture of when she was seven months pregnant, she showed off her baby bump in a red bikini.

Montana was seen posing on a lavish terrace while soaking up the sun, adding a stylish straw hat and chic shades.

Montana announced she was pregnant with her second child in July and took to her Instagram to share the happy news with her 1.1 million followers

Montana and Mark welcomed their first child, a son named Jude, in June last year and announced they were expecting again just 13 months later

In the second shot, she displayed her growing baby bump in the same beach set while smiling happily in a mirror selfie.

The TV star added a few heart-melting pictures of little Jude to her carousel, accompanied by a lengthy caption: ‘7 months in vs 7 months out.’

‘I actually LOVED being pregnant, it was such a special experience and it really made me respect my body so much more I’m still in awe.’

‘This chapter has been hard, the lack of sleep etc is so tough, I legit cried when someone beeped me in the car recently and I always feel one beep or one comment away from having a meltdown but it’s such a humbling experience.’

She went on saying: ‘I am in awe of the mums that do it on their own, don’t have family around to support and who just don’t get a break because I am so fortunate to have support around me and I am STILL in the thick of it..’

The Love Islander finished gushing over her tiny one: ‘But despite how tired I have been, Jude gets me through, his smile first thing in the morning is just priceless.’

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Montana

Cover Montana explains the importance of open enrollment

Published

18 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Cover Montana explains the importance of open enrollment

HELENA — It is open enrollment for health insurance through the HealthCare.gov Marketplace.

People can apply or reapply for coverage until January 15, 2025, or they may have to wait until November 2025 to apply again.

Last year, 30 percent of Montanans got a plan for $10 per month through the marketplace.

Cover Montana is a project of the Montana Primary Care Association, a nonprofit organization with a federal grant to help underserved communities, consumers, and small businesses find and enroll in quality, affordable health coverage through HealthCare.gov, the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Olivia Riutta, the director of population health of the Montana Primary Care Association shared the importance of open enrollment for Montanans.

“It is the annual opportunity to update your applications and make sure your income is correct and then to ensure that you have a plan that really meets both your monthly budget and your health needs for 2025,” Riutta says.

Cover Montana Navigators can provide phone and virtual assistance statewide through the Cover Montana Help Line: (406) 634-3105 or (844) 682-6837. In-person enrollment assistance is available in many areas, including Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Dillon, Kalispell, and Miles City.

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