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Capitol Connections: Local Option Tax and Sentencing Reform

The Montana State Capitol building in Helena.
Jackie Yamanaka
/
Yellowstone Public Radio

This week, the topics of discussion from the Montana Legislature: a local option tax proposal and sentencing reform in the state’s criminal justice system.

Senator Mike Phillips, D-Bozeman, requested a bill draft to allow local voters to decide if they want to impose a tax on narrowly defined luxury items. This tax, to be no more than 4%, is designed to target purchases made primarily by tourists such as prepared meals and alcohol at restaurants and bars.  The bill draft includes language that this luxury tax will automatically terminate after a term established by local voters.  The proceeds from this local option tax are to provide homeowners with some property tax relief and pay for local, critical public works projects.  Phillips is looking for a Republican to sponsor or co-sponsor this proposal. It hasn't yet been formally introduced in the 2017 legislative session.

Music bed:  It’s My Life (Karaoke Instrumental Track), Backtracks Professional Karaoke Band, In the Style of Bon Jovi, v. 1 2009 Backtrack Professional

Senator Cynthia Wolken, D-Missoula, chaired the Commission on Sentencing following the 2015 Montana Legislature and is sponsoring most of the bills in the 2017 Session. The commission was created to study the state's existing sentencing policies and practices and look for ways to safely reduce incarceration in the state's prisons. Other objectives were to look for ways to reduce recidivism and costs of incarceration.

The theme music for Capitol Connections is courtesy of the Alex Nauman Trio. Capitol Connections is a production of YPR news.