HELENA (AP)
A freshman lawmaker thinks all the talk about property tax rebates is forgetting Montanans who rent. Rep. Kendall Van Dyk, D-Billings, said renters would get up to a $400 property tax rebate in a measure he is proposing. Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s proposal for a $400-per-homeowner rebate is working its way through the Legislature. GOP leaders have proposed tax relief that targets “owner-occupied” homes. Van Dyk said he found during his campaign that many in his district who rent “felt like they were getting an unfair shake.” Van Dyk said his proposed rebate assumes that a portion of the rent paid by renters goes to pay the tax bill for the property. He said renters should get credit for that. His proposal, pitched Monday to the House Taxation Committee, has been estimated to cost about $43 million. It was also supported by the student government of the University of Montana. Jim Bjelland, a Conrad farmer, came to the hearing to oppose the measure. He said the flat rebates seem to forget that farmers and ranchers pay thousands of dollars in property taxes. Bjelland said those that pay more should get larger tax cuts. Van Dyk’s bill is House Bill 307.
