Our community is being squeezed harder every year by an outdated and unfair tax system. The truth is a bitter pill: property taxes are too high, and the majority of the burden falls on homeowners and renters. It’s time for a more modernized, balanced approach that doesn’t punish those who work hard to live here.

At the Local Level

Property taxes are the City’s only source of discretionary spending. This is the only pool of money local leaders can decide exactly how to spend. Other revenue is non-discretionary and tied to specific uses by law. Under this antiquated system, funding vital services, including police, fire, and infrastructure, falls mostly on Missoula’s homeowners and renters. Relying so heavily on a single tax source is unfair and calls for a smarter, more equitable approach.

I will push for a strategic budgeting process that prioritizes essential services and ensures every department evaluates programs for effectiveness and cost-efficiency. I also believe government has a responsibility to be more transparent about where tax dollars go. Too many residents are left in the dark about how they are being taxed and how the money is used.

Missoula deserves a transparent, responsible, and fair approach to public finance. In 2025, the state legislature passed property tax reforms, including a one-time $400 rebate for primary residences, tiered rates to reduce burdens on homeowners and long-term rentals, and a shift of tax responsibilities toward second homes and short-term rentals. These changes provided some relief but are not nearly enough. Until our property tax system has significant changes we will continue to subsidize the tourist industry by paying for everything through property taxes. We need to design a system that taxes tourists for the services they use, which will in turn help lower property taxes. I will fight for meaningful and lasting reform to ensure the tax system supports everyone in our community without overburdening Missoula’s homeowners and renters.

At the State and Federal Level

A deeper problem is decades of neglect from state and federal leaders, who have prioritized tax cuts and bailouts over investments in roads, bridges, and public works.

As your City Council representative, I will be a strong and persistent advocate to our state lawmakers for a substantial overhaul of the state property tax system. The system is broken, and the only way to fix it is through the state legislature. We must operate within their rules, and the current rules are driving people from their homes.

We also need to reduce the heavy reliance on property taxes and adopt a fairer, more targeted approach. This should include reasonable property tax rates and a locally controlled tourist tax. Currently, tourists who visit Missoula use our infrastructure, police, and fire services without contributing to the cost. A balanced tax structure will relieve the burden on local residents while ensuring the revenue needed to maintain essential services and infrastructure. Reforming how tourists contribute will allow us to ease the property tax burden for our residents.

At the federal level, our most powerful tool is our vote. We must elect leaders who value fairness, invest in infrastructure, and respect the hard-earned tax dollars of the American people.