representative jodee etchart hd 51 billings
WORKING FOR YOU
Public service requires independent judgment, not political convenience. That’s why I’ve taken votes that don’t always fit neatly into campaign talking points—but reflect a consistent, principled approach. I opposed HB2, the state budget bill, because it did not meet my standard for long-term fiscal discipline and accountability (4-7-25 & 4-30-25 3rd reading). https://committees.legmt.gov/#?billId=708&billNumber=2 click or copy and paste this link to check out the vote history.
At the same time, I supported Medicaid expansion with a clear, conservative framework: ensuring Montana taxpayer dollars stay in Montana rather than flowing elsewhere, while incorporating work expectations that encourage able-bodied adults to re-engage in the workforce. The goal is not dependency—it’s a temporary bridge that helps people regain stability while strengthening access to care, especially in rural Montana.
Montana’s property tax pressures didn’t happen overnight—and they aren’t the result of any single vote or session. Over the past several decades, there has been a significant shift in our tax base: as industrial and natural resource sectors declined, a larger share of the burden moved onto residential homeowners. Today, homeowners carry a substantially higher proportion of total property taxes than in the past. Real reform requires acknowledging that structural shift and addressing root causes—broadening the tax base, supporting economic growth, and pursuing sustainable solutions that don’t simply shift the burden again. See more information below.
I’ve also focused on practical, behind-the-scenes work that delivers results. That includes working with Montana’s federal delegation on targeted policy updates that improve access to care—particularly in rural and aging populations—by modernizing outdated federal definitions and allowing care teams to function more effectively.
At the state level, we’ve advanced meaningful regulatory reform to remove barriers in areas like day treatment services, shifting toward a model that empowers facilities to set appropriate standards and staffing based on patient needs. These kinds of reforms don’t always make headlines, but they make a real difference for patients, providers, and families across Montana.
CHART TO PROPERTY TAX RELIEF IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTY
PROPERTY TAX HISTORY
Montana’s property tax challenges didn’t happen overnight—they reflect a decades-long shift in who carries the load. In 1992, residential property made up about 42.5% of the state’s total market value and paid roughly one-third of all property taxes.
By 2023, that had changed significantly: residential property accounted for 75.8% of market value and was responsible for approximately 58% of the taxes paid. From 2003 to 2023 alone, the residential share of taxable value grew from 58% to 76%, while the relative share from utilities, commercial and industrial property, timber, and business equipment declined.
This isn’t about industry not paying—it’s about how the burden is distributed. Businesses and industry continue to contribute substantially, but as Montana’s economy has evolved, the residential share has grown, shifting more of the relative load onto homeowners—especially as property values increased.
While recent reforms have begun to rebalance some of that shift, the bigger issue remains long-term predictability and fairness. Montana families deserve a system that doesn’t price them out of their homes or family properties—and allows the next generation to stay and build a future here.
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