Montana’s Republican-dominated Legislature prioritized court reform and tax cuts as the 2025 session opened Monday. The GOP aims to address voter demand for conservative policies after recent court rejections of their bills. Republican leaders argue that their legislative role in the judicial system is mandated by the state constitution. “The voters want court reform,” said Sen. Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, R-Billings. “Republican voters are tired of… partisan judges and partisan courts veto those bills.”
In response, Republicans drafted 27 bills aimed at limiting judicial power, including performance evaluations and partisan judicial elections. Reforms in property and income taxes are also on the agenda, addressing sharp property tax hikes since 2022 and states’s surplus revenue trend from income taxes. House Speaker Brandon Ler, R-Savage, emphasized using income taxes to support property tax relief, with income tax contributing to 70% of state revenue.
Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade, focus on property tax reform and affordable housing. Flowers proposes revisions to property tax laws for long-term relief, particularly benefiting lower middle-income residents. Democrats also prioritize healthcare access, rising taxes, and Indigenous affairs, advocating for Medicaid expansion and enhancing community-based health care funding.
On the session’s first vote, Democrats, with support from eight Republicans, rejected the formation of a single committee for executive branch reviews. Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, argued against concentrating power in one committee. The rejection was led by Senate President Matt Regier but was opposed by Jason Ellsworth, citing insufficient workload.
Meanwhile, other statewide elected officials, including Gov. Greg Gianforte, took their oaths of office, marking the beginning of their terms. Chamber of Commerce President Todd O’Hair welcomed the all-Republican officeholders during a ceremony. Gianforte reaffirmed his commitment to tax cuts and economic growth, outlining a conservative financial agenda. “Ultimately, Montanans spoke loud and clear. They want leadership that delivers,” Gianforte said.
The upcoming legislative session will address Gianforte’s $17.9 billion budget proposal, focusing on Medicaid expansion, tax cuts, teacher pay increases, and prison system expansion. Lawmakers are set to review and draft numerous bills, with 4,282 already requested for drafting.
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