SB 442 is still great policy for vets
The Montana legislature is finally getting their shot to save one of the most popular and bipartisan bills of the 2023 legislative session. Senate Bill 442 would direct a portion of the state’s marijuana tax revenue to increase assistance for Montana veterans, help counties across Montana fund the repair of rural roads, and increase funding for wildlife habitat projects.
While this bill passed the Montana legislature with support from 130 of 150 lawmakers, it was vetoed by Governor Gianforte who spent nearly a year obstructing lawmakers from having an opportunity to overturn that veto.
Fortunately, the courts just reaffirmed the Montana Legislature deserves the final say. For the next few weeks our elected leaders will once again vote on the merits of SB 442. As an army veteran, I want to remind our elected leaders why so many of my fellow veterans are watching the outcome of this vote with great interest.
Property tax relief
Montanas across the state are feeling the sudden and sharp rise in property taxes this year. These rising costs harm many residents, including our most vulnerable veterans, who can no longer work due to disabilities. While Montana has a program that helps veterans pay a portion of their property taxes, it's underfunded and unable to keep pace with rising tax rates.
Senate Bill 442 would send a lifeline of support for veterans who are struggling to pay property taxes by boosting funding for the Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program. This program reduces the property tax rate burden on the homes of veterans who were disabled in service or their surviving spouses. Depending on the income level, the tax rate can be reduced between 50 to 100 percent. As property taxes continue their climb, the importance of this critical program for disabled vets and surviving spouses cannot be understated.
Habitat to hunt and fish
Quality access to the outdoors is vital to the physical and mental rehabilitation of Montana veterans. When I came back from my tour with the U.S. army in 1995, I brought home a disability which has been a constant challenge to manage. But no matter how bad my disability is, I have always been able to find a way to enjoy Montana’s public lands and water.
In fact, hiking, hunting and fishing fundamentally helped me work on my physical and mental health in the years following my service. This is a very common story you will hear if you hang around veteran centers in Montana, and it's why so many veterans support the investments promised by Senate Bill 442.
This bill provides funding to help protect our best habitat and expand public access that veterans and other residents depend on. This bill would invest millions each year in habitat conservation projects and in landowner-led projects that protect and expand public access. In addition, SB 442 helps local counties maintain and repair the rural roads that lead to trailheads, fishing access, and other public lands.
The veto of Senate Bill 442 has already withheld millions of dollars from being invested in our rural roads, our veterans, and our wildlife. The Montana legislature has a huge opportunity to correct this mistake by rescuing this historic legislation.
Mtskywtchr is Kathleen Gilluly. She is a veteran and public lands advocate.