Montana’s 2025 legislative session opened with a focus on restricting judicial power and reducing taxes. Republican lawmakers, emboldened by their electoral success, argued that voters are demanding reform in both the courts and the tax system.
Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray expressed frustration with what he described as partisan judicial resistance to Republican policies and emphasized the Legislature’s role in shaping the state’s judicial system. GOP members have been working on 27 bills aimed at limiting judicial power, including performance evaluations for judges and shifting to partisan elections.
The tax reform agenda includes addressing both property and income taxes. Speaker Brandon Ler noted the need for income tax reforms to fund property tax relief, given that income taxes make up 70% of state revenue. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers pushed for property tax relief, advocating for adjustments that would benefit lower- and middle-income residents.
Other key legislative priorities include expanding Medicaid, addressing rising property taxes, and improving access to affordable housing, with Democrats focusing on these issues. Notably, there is also momentum for expanding health care access and addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous communities, such as missing and murdered Indigenous people and educational initiatives focused on Indigenous languages.
Despite Democrats gaining ground in the previous election, Republicans maintain a strong majority, potentially making it challenging for the minority to push through their agenda. Governor Greg Gianforte, sworn in for a second term, reiterated his commitment to reducing taxes, creating high-wage jobs, and promoting business development across the state.
The governor’s proposed $17.9 billion budget includes Medicaid expansion, further tax cuts, teacher pay raises, and more prison beds, which will be debated in the coming weeks. Lawmakers have requested thousands of bills to be drafted, setting the stage for a busy legislative period.