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Greg Gianforte on Tax Reform

 

 


Provide relief to Montana taxpayers at every income level

All of our tax proposals are rooted in a simple philosophy: hardworking Montanans should keep more of what they earn. The fact of the matter is Montanans overpaid their taxes, and we're going to give it back. Our plan delivers Montana's largest income tax cut ever. Our plan provides relief to Montana taxpayers at every income level, because even after our historic tax cuts in 2021, we still have the highest income tax rate in the Rocky Mountain West and one of the highest in the nation.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Montana legislature , Jan 25, 2023

Lowering top tax rate will make Montana more competitive

Montana taxpayers with at least $18,500 of taxable income pay our top income tax rate. More than half of Montana taxpayers pay that top rate of 6.9%. Our high rate drives away too many businesses that may want to locate in Montana. We must lower our top personal income tax rate, and that's what I've proposed in my budget. Not only will the majority of Montana income taxpayers see relief, but also Montana will become more competitive.

To reduce the burden on our small businesses, my budget calls for reforming the business equipment tax by exempting business equipment valued up to $200,000, boosting the exemption by 100%. The BIG Jobs Act, or Business Investment Grows Jobs Act, eliminates the business equipment tax burden for 4,000 Montana small business owners.

Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Montana legislature , Jan 28, 2021

2002: state sales tax ok; 2016: no state sales tax

[Gubernatorial candidate Whitney] Williams also came out strongly against a sales tax, an issue that played a role in the 2016 governor's race when old audio from 2002 emerged of Gianforte presenting a tax advisory council possible solutions to create jobs in Montana that included the idea of a sales tax. However, Gianforte said in the 2016 campaign he would never support a sales tax. Montanans have voted against a sales tax twice before, and it's been seen as the third rail for political candidates.
Source: Helena Independent-Record on 2020 Montana Gubernatorial race , Oct 3, 2019

Oppose any or all tax increases to raise revenue

Taxes: Increase taxes on corporations and/or high-income individuals to pay for public services?

Gianforte: No. Pledged to oppose "any or all" tax increases to raise revenue. Favors cutting business & personal taxes to reduce size of government.

Quist: Prioritize tax reform by closing loopholes for corporations & support small businesses, workers, & families.

Wicks: Unknown, but likely no since priority is reducing size of government

Source: CampusElect.org Issue Guide: 2018 Congress MT-AL election , Nov 1, 2018

406 Tax Relief plan: cut taxes & freeze government spending

Montana Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte has announced a tax proposal he dubs his "406 Tax Relief" plan, which he says will cut taxes and freeze government spending. Gianforte released his plan the final day for Americans to file state and federal tax forms.

Gianforte is seeking to phase out a business equipment tax over four years, hold state spending to current levels and reduce the maximum tax rate from 6.9% to 6%. Gianforte said, "I learned from over 30 years starting & growing businesses that sustainable jobs and opportunities are only created in the private sector, not by government programs. Streamlining regulations, lowering taxes and slowing the growth of government will energize our economy and help create more high wage jobs so we can stop exporting our kids."

Even before the Republican released his plan, the re-election campaign for Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock said the proposal would benefit the wealthy at the expense of middle class families.

Source: KFBB Fox News on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race , Apr 18, 2016

CC:Make federal income tax cuts permanent.

Gianforte supports the CC survey question on keeping tax cuts

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Make federal income tax cuts permanent' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

Source: Christian Coalition Surve 18CC-11a on Jul 1, 2018

CC:Elimination the Death Tax.

Gianforte supports the CC survey question on eliminating Death Tax

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Permanent Elimination of the "Death Tax"' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

Source: Christian Coalition Surve 18CC-11b on Jul 1, 2018

PVS:Don't increase taxes to balance budget.

Gianforte opposes the PVS survey question on tax increases

Project Vote Smart inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?' PVS self-description: "The Political Courage Test provides voters with positions on key issues. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."

Source: PVS Survey 18PVS-11a on Aug 1, 2018

Other governors on Tax Reform: Greg Gianforte on other issues:
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Gubernatorial Debates 2023:
KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D)
vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R)

vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R)
vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R)
LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited)
vs.Jeff Landry(R)
vs.Shawn Wilson(D)
vs.John Schroder(R)
vs.Sharon Hewitt(R)
MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R)
vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew)
vs.Brandon Presley(D)

Gubernatorial Debates 2024:
DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited);
vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D)
vs. Matt Meyer (D)
vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R)
IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited);
vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R)
vs. Suzanne Crouch (R)
vs. Jennifer McCormick (D)
MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited):
vs. Jay Ashcroft (R)
vs. Bill Eigel (R)
vs. Mike Kehoe (R)
vs. Crystal Quade (D)
MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R)
vs. Ryan Busse (D)
vs. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary) 		Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):
NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited);
vs. Mark Robinson (R)
vs. Josh Stein (D)
vs. Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary)
vs. Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary)
vs. Andy Wells (R,withdrew)
ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring)
vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R)
vs. U.S.Rep.Kelly Armstrong (R)
vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D)
NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring)
vs. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R)
vs. Joyce Craig (D)
vs. Chuck Morse (R)
vs. Cinde Warmington (D)
UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R)
vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R)
vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D)
VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R)
vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D)
vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D)
WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring);
vs. WA Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D)
vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R)
vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D)
vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R)
vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew)
WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited);
vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R)
vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D)
vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew)
vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary)
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