Local Tourism Sales Tax A Different Jab at Affordability

Montana towns and cities could have the option of a local, tourism-economy-based sales tax if a bill in the Legislature can gain traction. It’s a different and at times unpopular angle of attack against rising property taxes — a departure from other proposed fixes like tax credits and property tax restructuring.

Rep. Greg Oblander, R-Billings is carrying House Bill 489. An optional sales tax is not a new idea. Sen. Christopher Pope, D-Bozeman, tried it in 2023. His bill didn’t even make it out of committee.

Oblander’s bill hit the House Local Government Committee Thursday, Feb. 20. He argued a...