Update Of The Legislative First Half Session
Author: Wylie Galt, MT Senator from District 39
The Legislative First Half Session
Wylie Galt
MT Senator from District 39
The first half of the 69th Legislature is officially complete. Throughout all of the uncertainty and setbacks, Republicans have been working across the chambers to deliver significant improvements for the people of Montana. The main themes of the last 48 days were tax relief, judicial reform, housing, property rights, and Montana values, and we capitalized on a handful of these priorities.
We are working to curb the growth of property taxes, lower the state income tax, and put money back into the pockets of hard-working Montanans. The legislature is setting the framework for years of prosperity and fiscal sustainability in our state.
Senate Republicans are also focused on reforming Montana’s judicial branch to ensure the proper separation of powers in our state government. We are advancing legislation to make judicial races more transparent, hold judges more accountable, and create a specialty court for constitutional cases. Reforming the courts is critical to making sure important bills are not unduly blocked to the detriment of Montanans.
Furthermore, the Senate aims to continue the “Montana Miracle” on housing by passing bills to make homes more affordable and accessible. Legislation from our caucus would lower the cost of constructing new housing, allow more types of housing in our cities, and make sure government does not get in the way of housing development.
With housing comes property rights, and the Senate Republicans are dedicated to protecting the rights of property owners. This session, we advanced bills to defend homeowners against unlawful squatters, favor the free use of property in interpreting zoning restrictions, and remove bureaucratic hurdles for citizens seeking to change zoning codes.
Another high priority for the Republicans was to work across both chambers to bolster educational freedom and parental rights in Montana’s school system. The Senate passed bills to give parents greater control over their child’s data, give teachers more control over their classrooms, and support school choice.
Across all of our bills, Republicans strive to uphold Montana values. The legislature has passed legislation this session to protect the safety and privacy of women, assist President Trump in addressing illegal immigration, safeguard our outdoor heritage, and continue leading the nation on data privacy. Senate Republicans will keep common-sense as a guiding principle in Montana politics. With one more half of the session remaining, we will continue to deliver on these principles to benefit Montanans all across our great state.
Senator Wylie Galt (Senate District 39): Phone:406-220-0157, Mailing Address:P.O. Box 2, Martinsdale, MT 59053
