[{"_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",6213144,"mediaKeyId","3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e","parentId",3680333,"title","Missoula lawmakers recap 2025 legislative session: bipartisan property tax package, Medicaid reauthorization and a new state trust fund","audioSeconds",608,"startMs",4647000,"endMs",5255000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e&start=4647&end=5255","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e/thumbnail_4647000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6213144/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-lawmakers-recap-2025-legislative-session-bipartisan-property-tax-package-Medicaid-reauthorization-and-a-new-state-trust-fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213144-87dc9a7ea90652f9217299f3db4efd17/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180349&Signature=Ve54BJEQcOQayxQhdzXBthXwR7LdG4VIBj6i3CaSUEQHodCyqQranAWrr4~UhU~SycSXuMOpLCSWzNHELvwPh2P4~VccbCYPeXIJRC6IpQovujzntFG5SaB1kl-v0WaKXGbw-8wBL-jvt7WbFP6BzSnfIEIg1kISofy3nVC0SmHh4~7OFahBbqZrObErDwu~V7EDBz9wAvZg2pYIrUHoRfroVOh46WJ~ceq33i1XOFFfqivNBqh7wgTHRSfAUvWIf0rcSGyv~0rfW6hL0q6GkbX0mtjBsmU76Pz8OyTyOcePhGS6LQ-Hyro4GmIZrQK5BDyyG0VzocdBYNINiW7zQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Missoula, MT","date","2025-06-05T16:19:06Z","article","State legislators who spoke at the State of Missoula forum summarized key outcomes of the 2025 Montana Legislature and what they said those outcomes mean for Missoula residents.

“Ultimately, we have some significant reduction coming in local property tax,” said Rep. Mark Thain (House District 89), describing a last‑day bipartisan compromise that merged elements of competing proposals. Thain said House Bill 231 (the governor’s task force proposal) and House Bill 155 (the Democratic proposal) were reconciled through a bill‑amendment process and that Missoula property owners should expect about a 10% reduction on a median‑priced home in the first year, with a progressive schedule that directs larger relative reductions to lower‑value homes.

Thain also said the legislature placed up to $900,000,000 into a newly created Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust Fund from surplus revenue and that the session extended Medicaid (referred to as reauthorization during the event). He cited a roughly $700,000,000 reduction in state income tax collections over the biennium as part of enacted measures and noted a need to monitor balance if future downturns occur.

“It's been a collaborative session,” Thain said, highlighting bipartisan work on property tax, Medicaid continuation and bills to support workforce and rural industries. He also noted passage of a Sawmill Revitalization Act and a Media Act that extended a film tax credit, both of which speakers said will help bring projects such as the Storyhouse film campus to Missoula.

Sen. Denley Logie (Senate District 45) echoed the education and technical‑training focus, praised bipartisan efforts on infrastructure and workforce training, and urged continued support for technical education and teacher retention measures enacted during the session.

Both lawmakers cautioned that some details remain subject to implementation choices by local governments and that the governor had issued vetoes on some bills that could alter outcomes. They encouraged residents to follow up with local officials for exact tax‑bill impacts and implementation timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","State of Missoula 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Missoula’s state lawmakers said the 2025 Montana Legislature produced a bipartisan property‑tax compromise expected to lower median local bills about 10% initially, extended Medicaid coverage, created a large trust fund for infrastructure and housing, and passed sector bills such as the Sawmill Revitalization Act and Media Act.","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},6213148,"Missoula mayor and partners highlight housing, infrastructure and a planned film‑production campus at former mill site",440,2387000,2827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e&start=2387&end=2827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e/thumbnail_2387000.jpg","/articles/6213148/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-mayor-and-partners-highlight-housing-infrastructure-and-a-planned-filmproduction-campus-at-former-mill-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213148-4c4fc8fcd94bd3bf5343cd0f605d87ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180349&Signature=nxvVQn1WqD5i5AfvDnnCEWo5dRE4~SCviq3iRtL9NZR7WPwDBpw4sRbMPF3dpFagqHyvn0g9O2DgKp09xPGdney7rveSPA0N1UuA8YIBksKOn84yWyLDGGnKSO9xzpX~T0ocKFXJ16jRHPJGKXrN5ktaFrMVDjMX2J6-M9H9hAUjPLEORa3vl-rzOycLrEhQ0WLw1nAvvjt-AZ2WbG4bFze2tv0bfNt~7~P-pmTO5XKUWCMdURwK~TW1jPwBcsZ-CFEqvt59xDUqDsr~9GU1ZExwlIV5b24dSK3jlZeFFibJjwiNVb8jbGgEZZxanQ2pbKytx6WcXvBbov9oDmeWeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Andrea Davis told the State of Missoula audience that the city is pursuing a coordinated set of infrastructure, housing and economic development projects to keep Missoula affordable and to support new industries.

“We are working toward a vision of a city that is thriving, it’s accessible, and it is inclusive for all,” Mayor Andrea Davis said, citing adoption of the city’s 2045 land use plan Our Missoula and a range of recent grant awards.

Davis said the city has received more than $40,000,000 in state and federal grant awards for city projects and that locally the region has secured roughly $130,000,000 in collective funding for infrastructure. She highlighted utility and street work — 340 miles of water mains and a wastewater utility that the mayor said generates over 750,000 kilowatts per year of carbon‑free power — and said a customer service portal and a new city website will be launched to improve resident interactions.

On economic development, Davis said the Roseburg Forest Products plant site is evolving into a film and television production campus led by Storyhouse Incorporated, which the mayor said could create more than 400 skilled jobs and include workforce training in partnership with the University of Montana, Montana State University, Missoula College and area high schools. She said city and state partners are working with developers on housing solutions tied to job growth.

The mayor also described a mayor’s task force on city‑owned lands to seek redevelopment of about 45 acres for housing and commercial use, and identified infrastructure projects to be funded locally and by grants, including Toole Avenue roundabout construction, South Avenue Safe Streets for All improvements and a signal at Orange and Craig. She said the city is prioritizing collector streets, greenways and grant‑funded projects to maximize public benefit.

Separately, Melanie Brock of the Missoula Midtown Association summarized Midtown priorities and projects: the Fairgrounds redevelopment and a planned Blue Line Development housing project with more than 100 units (20% set as affordable), design work for Brooks Street, and early design concepts for the North MRL Triangle, where the Johnson Street shelter is planned for removal and redevelopment. Brock urged public input at an upcoming design open house.

City and Midtown leaders emphasized a public‑private approach and urged continued coordination among the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, Missoula Economic Partnership, Midtown Association and the Chamber.

No binding approvals were taken at the forum; speakers described projects that are advancing through planning, partnership negotiations and grant procurement.","Mayor Andrea Davis and local partners described coordinated city projects, grant awards and redevelopment plans — including a film and television production campus at the former Roseburg site — and emphasized housing, utilities and safety improvements across Missoula.",{"_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},6213153,"Missoula County pursues infrastructure deals to spur industrial and residential development, says commissioners",124,1464000,1588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e&start=1464&end=1588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e/thumbnail_1464000.jpg","/articles/6213153/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-County-pursues-infrastructure-deals-to-spur-industrial-and-residential-development-says-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213153-9437c38ea556233aaac06f7a739de255/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180349&Signature=blTPdRXyDzy9Zq6~lc7Nj8k53Pa2jA27pvdxywPv8J5LvcY4t1PwlPusODhqQMfSM1flpOTLOqAMS~WB1lhIGfT5Hen6CtsBG6I-NNEEXCyQ6jN7jRmEzQJSo1uBIc9lp552V3rHbscdkAd3zFuXWoVUvY-k8iueg0oS3AT5ikkGWOozVsMYstNtFZe08zhW0Cy-d-D0VToK2yRcMHn7YQTH-TxdjE1MA5oJd1JN6ZnGQt-6rct1NFvq1RXcg7Oj97GMw2EwPItelaioW9diwYYOStd9SnFttywyzwNiber2BUZ4mRygy2qWRHiVqBdHWsgxe5ooJKvYp3t2Aj9E8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula County commissioners Josh Slotnick and Dave Strohmeyer used the State of Missoula forum to outline infrastructure projects intended to unlock industrial and housing development in the county.

“We worked closely with two Montana companies, Montana Knife Company and Grass Valley Industrial, to put in a public water system,” said Commissioner Josh Slotnick. He described a private‑funded construction of what will become a public water system that the county will purchase afterward using tax‑increment financing. Slotnick said that arrangement will create enough water to support about 500,000 square feet of industrial space and an estimated 304 new jobs as users tie in and costs are apportioned across the special district over time.

On housing, Commissioner Slotnick said the county is negotiating sewer and water upgrades in Lolo. He said American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds covered roughly half of a needed sewer upgrade and that county leaders are working to expand capacity to accommodate another 800 sewer users and about 400 additional water users, with current users and new users sharing costs.

“By statute, it takes a bunch of time to create a special district,” Slotnick said, explaining why the county accepted private funding for the water system and then will use tax‑increment financing to purchase it when complete.

Commissioner Dave Strohmeyer added a regional perspective and highlighted longer‑term projects and recent federal actions. He noted a $24,000,000 Reconnecting Communities grant for Highway 200 infrastructure in East Missoula is currently paused and reported that the Federal Railroad Administration recommended the Big Sky Passenger Rail route through Missoula as one of 15 routes being considered for restoration — a development Strohmeyer called “a big deal for Missoula and Missoula County.”

Both commissioners stressed flexibility amid uncertain national economic conditions and said the county will proceed carefully on borrowing and capital projects given higher interest rates.

No formal votes or binding commitments were made at the forum; commissioners described ongoing negotiations and staged financing plans.","Missoula County commissioners described a novel public‑private water arrangement to enable 500,000 square feet of industrial development and outlined plans using ARPA funds and negotiated fees to expand sewer and water capacity in Lolo for up to 1,200 future users.",{"_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},6213159,"University of Montana cites record enrollment growth and warns federal cuts could threaten research and workforce pipelines",805,588000,1393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e&start=588&end=1393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3680333-d5044fbb0b988f5a950855c3a31f784e/thumbnail_588000.jpg","/articles/6213159/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/University-of-Montana-cites-record-enrollment-growth-and-warns-federal-cuts-could-threaten-research-and-workforce-pipelines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213159-0f9959dc904586936d6cd134a794b8de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180349&Signature=CGDxwUzTE0OfI~JIkKxeQ0hK0WaTdjay33WmHotlvOpobcPzOLCR5c4pNBSgG~RGkA4V48p8r-TtxpZ8HcqDyvC~Htqet5NoFpuQMNIueslkCFP32IksjjSLQpoUBucoCJe5Dex9qQJ51A8S8iA1YxAONUy5Ai~JII2tJ8ztqqnC~8VV3TLxwDZu2FvzgoWrwnqDNG7-eQfpbNrYUz8ALhfGYqp5T9I7rxMQrLmTrUnxPNpiZMHD8qd9x19qNavya~DMxG9uKLrHZ~-xClt9vr~p~l89uPIwmiIw-LnXl50a7EonwpWA-bRuiNSIuUgmAI61FtRciB-0kognYcOm-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","University of Montana President Seth Bodnar told attendees at the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce’s State of Missoula event that the university has posted significant enrollment and graduation gains but faces risks from recent federal budget actions.

“Last fall, we posted the largest year-over-year enrollment gains in 15 years,” President Seth Bodnar said, noting the university has added more than 1,300 students since the pandemic and that the freshman class is 47% larger than it was previously. He said the four‑year graduation rate has increased by a third over six years and is the highest since the university began tracking it.

Bodnar said the university’s research enterprise also grew, reporting $144,000,000 in research output last year — an increase of about 43% over the past decade — and argued that research drives local job creation and entrepreneurship.

The nut of Bodnar’s warning was federal funding uncertainty. “The reconciliation bill that just passed the House last week … is the most destructive action against public education that the federal government’s taken in decades,” he said, and added that paired cuts in the proposed executive budget would reduce access to financial aid, workforce training and research funding.

Bodnar framed those federal changes as a risk to Missoula’s economy: fewer students, fewer training programs and less research could reduce the pool of skilled workers for local employers. He cited the university’s workforce partnerships, including Accelerate Montana, as a countermeasure: the program has served more than 3,500 people and, according to Bodnar, reported job placement for more than 90% of participants when employers were engaged.

Bodnar stressed the university’s mission of “inclusive prosperity,” saying the school is expanding applied degree programs such as physician assistant and occupational therapy degrees to meet rural health needs and launching programs like cybersecurity and interactive media to match employer demand.

He closed by asking local leaders to advocate for continued public investment in higher education, stressing that the university’s success matters to Missoula’s businesses and long‑term economic vitality.

The presentation was part of a broader State of Missoula forum that included city, county and state officials.","University of Montana President Seth Bodnar reported large enrollment and graduation-rate gains and higher research output, while warning that recent federal budget moves and proposed executive cuts could harm student access, research funding and local economic growth.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Missoula lawmakers recap 2025 legislative session: bipartisan property tax package, Medicaid reauthorization and a new state trust fund

Missoula mayor and partners highlight housing, infrastructure and a planned film‑production campus at former mill site

Missoula County pursues infrastructure deals to spur industrial and residential development, says commissioners

University of Montana cites record enrollment growth and warns federal cuts could threaten research and workforce pipelines