Montana Supreme Court Rules Against Counties on 95-Mill Tax Issue

The Montana Supreme Court has ruled against Montana county governments in a dispute over the authority of the Montana Department of Revenue to order the full collection of the 95-mill state-level school equalization levy. This ruling means that the majority of Montana counties that chose to collect a lower rate on tax bills will likely have to make up the difference in the spring. The 95 mills, which fund part of a state effort to balance funding between tax-base-rich and tax-base-poor school districts, are expected to bring in about $99 million more this year than last. The ruling has sparked concerns about rising property taxes and potential impacts on education funding.