[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6057998,"mediaKeyId","3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4","parentId",3299441,"title","Montana Media Act extended but receives no new funding, sponsor says","audioSeconds",39,"startMs",3222105,"endMs",3261305,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4&start=3222&end=3261","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4/thumbnail_3222105.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6057998/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Montana-Media-Act-extended-but-receives-no-new-funding-sponsor-says","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057998-d6a8845bb66b3e6e7d60a59d753c9229/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198787&Signature=Nr3moCWVt7GsS3kuYUx5MPIycTtpBsaXvLKAL8vSWk9pPN2ogWecL8~fMMpIsnHsyJVQFHiNXu2mn7~MfxcPxvWAR2R7~JdFcGlDhSbsmPCP4uZqJRD-mgT38wcINwvNmFX~pr6EhDt-jOzXVzL~zpEA7Whqe~bInlgxmHgITOsTOiSh1jxO~adqWTVLRYQ-5fvN6-XBaFOFe5Kc50d9JPhfyRDzwFDsQUrYI23krPbYvDobJpC~MJo9kW8CA5FJIcIeAxr9HAbZg9MiZCciJvrPMT9bCRHEqYQhi5y2vJNUjvu9K-KJr6UaaNfKKs9LdW5cTvK7E9~UeBFB49gc~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Missoula, MT","date","2025-05-14T18:12:53Z","article","Senator Greg Hertz told City Club Missoula that the legislature extended the Montana Media Act in 2025 but did not provide new funding for the program. He said the updated policy emphasizes Montana-owned businesses and sets eligibility tests such as a minimum of 15 full‑time employees and a 10,000‑square‑foot facility for certain incentives.

\"Unfortunately, we didn't get any new money into it. We did extend it,\" Hertz said, adding that the governor's budget office had not been a strong supporter of increased funding. Hertz described the bill's language as promoting Montana-owned businesses and qualifying production spaces, but said production companies are watching other states for incentives.

Panelists also warned that film production can be mobile. Hertz noted producers sometimes film scenery in Montana and finish production elsewhere; he said that was part of the rationale for clarifying the act's terms. Other forum participants said film-credit programs that lack sufficient funding can prompt projects to move to states with larger or uncapped incentives.

Speakers encouraged continued advocacy for funding the program and said the act's extension keeps Montana in the conversation for on-location and studio production while leaving financing questions to future sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Club Missoula Presents - May 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Greg Hertz said the Montana Media Act was extended in 2025 with policy changes favoring Montana-owned firms and facility-size and employment thresholds, but the bill did not secure new funding and film production companies are already exploring other states.","taxTitle","Missoula, Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6058004,"Missoula senators say housing crisis is statewide; governor's housing task force remains in use",30,891954,922855,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4&start=891&end=922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4/thumbnail_891954.jpg","/articles/6058004/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-senators-say-housing-crisis-is-statewide-governors-housing-task-force-remains-in-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058004-9c39186a94fea0667225f25a0f8a148e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198787&Signature=i~t6bQ45GestLsQTaUCfTzAY8KHKLFKOw9y-Bdn2imqAWiTSxv2UAQ8k8ZKjMkH1YmTKZLD1l4IYjcTuU8PZ~JGfKr87lbZhoTjH1uh2o2cudTkTviKnZwDSMJvUenG-PTws~~Dr~zHkGvnhoM3JkEIHun0UEoRdTGRRFKQxX69gnUXzjzwUiA9-oOv1iPjy4ODyl4LSHYjlmPaK5452a1PD3Mnu79abp-0fmAEcHS4-xNTSCX7MyfiHB8U-IYHu2L160L~ShlDyGw~S~cRtTsmq2tEAQYDfEgLlNe2xkqiP8Gp~kYuD1a5vakhvQkl4CnXNycEO4IPOFbyONvzKFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Ellie Boldman and Senator Greg Hertz said the housing crisis discussed at the 2025 Legislature affects both urban and rural Montana and has clear impacts on local businesses and workforce availability. Boldman described the issue as \"urban, it's rural, it's bridal, and it affects everyone,\" and said task-force work is ongoing.

Both senators said they serve on the governor's housing task force and described repeated efforts across sessions to increase housing supply and support. Boldman cited anecdotal business impacts in Missoula, such as restaurants and retail operations struggling to keep staff because of housing shortages.

Speakers noted a mix of bills and local initiatives passed or proposed during the session but emphasized that remedies require time, investment and collaboration among state, county and municipal governments. They urged continued local engagement and coalition-building to move policy proposals into implementation.","At City Club Missoula, Senators Ellie Boldman and Greg Hertz described housing as a statewide problem affecting businesses and workforce, and said they serve on the governor's housing task force. They cited urban and rural shortages and incremental legislative efforts to address supply.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6058009,"Medicaid expansion extended; lawmakers cite mental-health and prison infrastructure investments",193,775315,968420,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4&start=775&end=968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4/thumbnail_775315.jpg","/articles/6058009/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Medicaid-expansion-extended-lawmakers-cite-mental-health-and-prison-infrastructure-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058009-e4f2ab748935a3950bc41bd2ae01569c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198787&Signature=Kmszh0GK9TPaXQzGxklRmTOalB59ZaCV2osLmsTqscuk3bzq48hAXnj0IMJdSn8ckFfTjUX81cRcZpPto6a62BbWNYWVWQGsuqEAMgKwxkQXhXvuoi5AN0vqff-afauRtoQu9zA5bgJfYS8jZqITaFBc~Ykv6FH9GGB5eRB6dbNHBHFCxxubigdGtwZLAVqqcMmKCM71RgDCxgHFzt3FJqIDWLroRhMZUJg32VyM1gStQuCI5QLjL7R5HzdOCWkt1NPLZrTjEta3Cf-or0AN0bdW3GD95h1z1hKEIP8LClqRwqvN8fGYumURrs-tdrngr~6yejNz0P-Q8yc4lEjnDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Ellie Boldman and Senator Greg Hertz told City Club Missoula attendees that Medicaid expansion and investments in behavioral health were central accomplishments of the 2025 legislative session. Boldman said the Medicaid effort expands coverage for an estimated 75,000 Montanans and will help rural critical access hospitals.

\"75,000 Montanans and rural critical access hospitals will have access to critical care,\" Boldman said, noting the expansion will affect both patients and rural health providers. Panelists described Medicaid expansion as a priority that became broadly settled early in the session.

Lawmakers also discussed investments in behavioral health and crisis care. Boldman said the session made \"generational investments\" in mental-health and crisis services. She told the forum that the state has long been sending inmates to prisons in other states and that 2025 budget action funds a new in‑state prison and improvements to Warm Springs facilities.

Senator Boldman said counties that have housed people with mental-health needs in county jails will see state funding to offset those local burdens going forward. She credited multiple legislators and county officials for advancing the funding and said the changes should reduce the need to send inmates out of state for housing and care.

Speakers said Medicaid expansion helped shape other agenda items. Hertz noted the governor made Medicaid expansion a priority and that early agreement reduced friction over that issue later in the session. Both senators said some legislative items remain vulnerable to gubernatorial line-item vetoes and future budget actions.

The panelists framed these health and corrections investments as both fiscal and public-health priorities, with direct effects on rural hospitals, county jails and families seeking care.","Senators at a City Club Missoula forum said Medicaid expansion will extend coverage to tens of thousands of Montanans and that the 2025 session included funding for behavioral health, critical access hospitals and prison infrastructure to bring inmates back in-state.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6058014,"Montana lawmakers approved a complex 2025 tax package that shifts property and income burdens, senators say",1008,649550,1657795,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4&start=649&end=1657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3299441-f16e7f89eb8d1f3f6f68a99709d4dbf4/thumbnail_649550.jpg","/articles/6058014/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Montana-lawmakers-approved-a-complex-2025-tax-package-that-shifts-property-and-income-burdens-senators-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6058014-033634764d2a3bea18bc5768afd04f2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198787&Signature=IVgsqjhfyYGdexQaP-JnxM-QdkUer1cG69soQ1sj~j~xobHzOQHhwqeXY0dwzwAIyXvXhMMkFtBF-1gHVK8I~X8PPYfZHuCloZ1TmnD0FCGl~rECTiaAq7MzXgers-leMtTzU9BJj1~LIjnqn0M2S-DPx5GBrXx230tzDt7YJ24jSQlqWAKg40tkcgj3UqlC9LdaMpzM-LxX6LEMYZJLnOPUpxaSau77dK1HG5kZyFKH0R~OeRabIdu6ooOpJ2yE3cPSrLiHr8KQapoWJWJ0~TPYSMI2lNCfz~kUXnn~eGchBsK~fVfvNrvRdtS3fGehC48JsOXgxbp5aX814iYvFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Ellie Boldman and Senator Greg Hertz told a City Club Missoula forum audience that the 2025 Legislature passed a package of tax changes that provides a one-time property tax rebate and narrows top income tax rates while reshaping property-tax rules. Boldman said the property relief \"didn't pass till the last 2 days of the session\" and noted taxpayers will have to apply for the one-time $400 rebate.

The package matters because it changes who pays and how much. \"We're shifting taxes from one taxpayer to another taxpayer, particularly some regulated utilities,\" Boldman said, adding that higher utility property assessments are likely to show up on customer bills. Hertz warned the package also contains provisions that could be exploited as loopholes.

Key elements described at the forum included: a one-time $400 rebate that requires an application; changes in income-tax brackets that reduce the top rate (Senate Bill 203 was discussed on the floor as the vehicle for rate changes); and a lengthy property-tax bill referenced in the session as \"Senate bill 5 42 2 31,\" which Boldman described as having been amended late in the process. \"The top line actually has a misinformation. You're gonna get a $400 tax rebate, but you do have to apply for that,\" Boldman said.

Senator Greg Hertz described how bracket changes will affect different taxpayers and the state budget. He said the Senate version of an income-tax cut \"flew across second reading 47 to 3\" but that the final package differed and some proposals died in the House. Hertz said the governor's preferred tax changes would reduce state revenue substantially over multiple years; he cited a projection that the change will reduce state revenues by about $278 million by 2028.

Speakers at the forum emphasized distributional effects and local variability. Boldman said Missoula homeowners are likely to see smaller percentage reductions than owners in other counties because Missoula house values are higher than the statewide average. She estimated Missoula homeowners could see roughly a 10% reduction in property taxes over two years but cautioned that voter-approved levies could restore higher local tax bills later.

Both senators highlighted provisions that could shift tax burdens. Boldman pointed to provisions allowing property to be reclassified for agricultural valuation and said this could be used to lower tax bills for high-value properties with agricultural classifications. \"There are some loopholes in here that you can drive a freight train through,\" she said.

For next steps, speakers said legal challenges are likely. Hertz said he expects lawsuits over the property-tax package and described procedural concerns about how the bill was amended during the conference process. \"I do. I expect to see lawsuits over several bills that we passed in the legislature,\" he said.

Clarifying details available at the forum included estimates of the statewide rebate cost ($90 million for roughly 230,000 taxpayers, as described by Boldman), and local examples of how a Missoula home's higher market value will change the effective relief compared with other counties. Boldman and Hertz urged residents to watch for application procedures and to consult county offices for specific impacts.

Questions raised at the forum ranged from impacts on renters and landlords to whether the package will be reversed or adjusted in coming sessions. Boldman and Hertz both said long-term budget forecasts and potential federal changes could require the Legislature to revisit tax policy in future sessions.","At a City Club Missoula forum, Sen. Ellie Boldman and Sen. Greg Hertz summarized a 2025 legislative package that includes a one-time $400 property tax rebate (by application), changes to income tax brackets and a complicated property-tax overhaul they and others warn contains loopholes and could prompt legal challenges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Montana Media Act extended but receives no new funding, sponsor says

Missoula senators say housing crisis is statewide; governor's housing task force remains in use

Medicaid expansion extended; lawmakers cite mental-health and prison infrastructure investments

Montana lawmakers approved a complex 2025 tax package that shifts property and income burdens, senators say