Sponsored by Sen. David Howard, R-Park City, SB 217 would have lowered the tax burden on Montana seniors by letting them exempt a greater share of their Social Security benefits from state income taxes. In his veto memo, Bullock points to the cost of
the tax cut, $36 million over the next two years, and argues the cut would "disproportionately benefit seniors with higher incomes," despite it having been pitched as a way to help retirees living on fixed incomes.
Source: Glendive Ranger Review on Montana voting record SB 217
, May 30, 2019
Vetoed state tax exemption for Social Security income
Bullock vetoed Senate Bill 217, a proposal that would exempt from taxes the first $30,000 in Social Security income for a single person and $60,000 for a couple. He said SB 217 "would have an immediate $3 million negative impact in
Fiscal Year 2019, increasing to more than a $36 million during the 2021-2022 biennium. "A negative impact of this magnitude would jeopardize critical services that Montanans of all ages rely on, including low-income seniors," he wrote.
Source: Great Falls Tribune on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race
, Apr 19, 2019
