Democrats and the self-identified “Republicans” who allied with them to block real property tax relief for Montana families have no shame. Instead of being honest about the tax shift they passed earlier this year, they’re repeating lies in hopes of fooling voters. Thankfully, most Montanans are smart enough to see through their charade.
Sen. Josh Kassmier published a guest column last week claiming that conservative Republicans like me and Senate President Matt Regier are trying to raise taxes on Montanans. Nothing could be further from the truth, and Kassmier knows that, but he continues to lie because the truth would reveal his real colors.
Kassmier and the rest of the “Nasty Nine” effectively handed control of the Senate over to Democrats and helped kill critical Republican bills. In other words, they undermined the will of Montana voters, who expected conservative governance when they sent a Republican majority to Helena.
Instead, the Democrat-aligned faction helped pass a tax shift that will hurt more Montanans than it helps. All the bill really accomplishes is stashing away money in state coffers instead of returning it to hardworking Montana taxpayers.
Kassmier said that he wants to cut taxes, but notice that he never mentioned the other essential half of the equation: cutting state spending. We can’t just slash taxes, we need to slash government. It is also laughable to hear Kassmier criticize “political games” when he spent 90 days playing political games in Helena on the taxpayer dime. The cognitive dissonance must be deafening!
The Montana Republican Party is hard at work preparing for the 2027 session, where property tax relief, election integrity, and judicial reform will be top priorities. Part of their preparation is ensuring that candidates who run as Republicans actually intend to govern like Republicans once in office. We can’t risk having the will of Montana voters undermined again by fake conservatives.
Republicans stand for lower taxes, limited government, and stronger families. If Kassmier doesn’t stand for those pillars of our party, then perhaps he should run as a Democrat. He has acted like one for months now — after all, lying about Republicans is one of their favorite pastimes.
By: Sen. Barry Usher (R – SD 19)
