Guest column: Let's support Montana families, not out-of-state millionaires - By Sen. Pat Flowers and Rep. Kim Abbott

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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This article is replete with leftist bumper-sticker slogans, platitudes, and talking points. It contains no substance, facts, details or concrete information. The writers extensively employ tired worn out leftist tropes (aka agitprop) in an effort to demonize some people and favor other people based on asserted merit.

Most importantly, the Democrats are in the minority in Montana. Substantially so: 

Republicans will hold 68 seats in the House and 34 in the Senate during the 2023 session...

Democrats will occupy 32 seats in the House and 16 seats in the Senate. Therefore, their policies and agenda were rejected, big time. This means they are the ones who need to compromise. They are the ones who need to work with the Republicans. 

They are the ones who need to change.

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As elected officials, we are responsible for delivering for all our constituents, whether from blue or red districts. (Delivering what? What specifically does the Montana Constitution empower them to "deliver" as elected representatives? A quick review does not indicate any power for the legislature to "deliver" any special considerations to anyone.)

Today, Montanans in every county face real challenges, including increased cost of living and being priced out of the communities they’ve called home. (You do not have the constitutional power to do anything about this.)

In the past year, Democrats knocked on 270,000 doors. We heard about skyrocketing rent costs causing the loss of once-stable housing, moving in with relatives, or even living out of a car. People told us of having to use a food bank for the first time to feed their families. We know this is true because food banks across the state are seeing record numbers of people needing help. We also heard from countless businesses that they cannot find enough workers because of a lack of available child care. (We wonder if the writers understand what factors are causing these things.)

We are fortunate that this is a time when we (Who is "we?" Not the taxpayer, certainly. That money used to belong to them, but now that it's in the hands of government, and we can be sure the Democrats don't want to return it to the rightful owners They want to spend it.)

actually have the funds to improve our situation. With the blessing of a $2 billion surplus, ($2 billion of people's hard work...)

Montana Democrats propose putting taxpayer money to work for working Montanans. We want to make meaningful investments in housing people can afford, child care, mental health care, and property tax relief. (I.e., spend it. And, spend it in a way that demands it continues to be spent every year thereafter.)

After reading the governor’s budget proposal, it is clear that he doesn’t understand the crisis families are facing. (He also doesn't have the constitutional power to intervene in the economy.)

His top priority is returning to his old playbook of giving tax breaks to out-of-state millionaires and financiers. Under his plan, the rich will get $6,000 a year, while working folks will get just $70 — just like they did last time. (Having had numerous experiences which call into question the moral integrity of politicians, we doubt these are the real numbers. Further, even if "the rich" receive back more money than "working folks," it only stands to reason that those who pay the most in taxes would receive back an amount proportionate to that.)

The governor is proposing a two-time property tax refund. Instead of rebates to people with mansions, Montana Democrats have a plan for both immediate and lasting property tax relief for the working folks and seniors who are being priced out of their homes. (This has nothing to do with the budget surplus. If Democrats think taxes are too high, they simply need to propose tax cut legislation.)

We are glad to see the governor adopting a Democratic policy in the form of a child tax credit. (Tax cuts and tax credits tend to be Republican positions.)

But $1,200 isn’t enough for families with young children with child care bills as high as $9,000 a year (We are pretty sure these Democrats do not understand why child care is expensive.)

 — if they are lucky enough to find an open spot. The governor has no meaningful investment (Spending plan....)

in expanding access to affordable child care in his budget. (Spending money on a government program...)

Again, that’s an unacceptable oversight in the face of a massive crisis that hurts families and businesses. (This "massive crisis" is the handiwork of Democrats, who literally shut down the country for months due to COVID, who support spending upon borrowing upon spending at the national level, which leads to inflation, and who never, ever, want to give back what they have extracted from the pockets of taxpayers.

Again, we are certain they don't understand that they are to blame.)

Montana Democrats understand the real and painful impacts of inflation, out-of-control housing costs, and the inability to find affordable child care. These are our friends and neighbors worrying about keeping a roof over their heads, food on their table, and having a job and child care so they can stay in the community they call home.(Only they understand. Only they care. Only they know what to do with your hard-earned money.)

The governor is missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a budget to help those who actually need it. ("Those who actually need it" as determined by them.)

We can do long-term good even with these short-term funds. (No government program is ever short-term.)

That’s why we’re proposing serious investments (Spending.)

that will make a lasting difference for the Montanans who need it most, (Short term but lasting. Hmm.)

rather than a one-time giveaway for the wealthiest Montanans. (?? We thought it was tax breaks to out-of-state millionaires? That's the problem with spouting leftist talking points. One forgets which ones were used before.)

Regardless of who you voted for, Montana needs and deserves more from the governor. (Pony up the dough, Gianforte. Don't you care?)

The Montana we love is slipping away, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We have the resources to turn things around. ("We took your money from you, and now it's ours, and we are going to spend it [and probably more] to buy votes from our constituent groups.")

Montana Democrats have the plan to address the high housing costs, property taxes, and barriers to child care impacting Montana families and limiting their choices. (Rather short on details, aren't we? Almost 600 words, but nary a specific. Nothing but feel-good platitudes and leftist talking points.)

We will keep fighting for you and your right to live in the community you love, (Oh, goody. A new right. Apparently a person has the right to live in the most expensive place in the state, in the most expensive neighborhood, and in the most expensive house. How wonderful!)

regardless of who you voted for. We will not let this opportunity pass us by. (That almost sounds like a threat.)