Time to deliver Montana property tax relief

While the recent bond measures passed in Missoula and Bozeman are certain to provide improved public services to our constituents, they also elevate the need for a serious discussion about property tax relief in our communities.

We’re seeing rising property taxes in Missoula and Bozeman at a time when homeownership in general is growing increasingly difficult for working families. A recent report on housing prices by Atlantic Media listed Missoula as one of the "expensive surprises" among a survey of 300 metropolitan areas across the country, and Bozeman is seeing a flood of young and middle-class families being forced to move outside of city limits. It’s getting harder for a median income earner to afford what has long been a median income home. This reality makes increasing property taxes that much more burdensome on an already stretched family budget.

ANDREW PERSON and ZACH BROWN

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/time-to-deliver-property-tax-relief/article_a6e76b57-5d2a-5946-8e02-991f81a3630f.html