What ballooning home values mean for one tenant and her landlord
Rising prices are reshaping Montana, ramping up pressure on both sides of the ownership divide.
Exploring Montana’s economic future
Montana, as the saying goes, is one big small town with really long streets. The Long Streets Project aims to cover it like that, focusing on the economic trends and issues that shape the opportunity Montanans have — or don’t have — to make a decent living.
Funding for Long Streets is provided by The Greater Montana Foundation — encouraging communication on issues, trends and values of importance to Montanans.
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What happened when a Tesla came to Ekalaka
A Los Angeles couple, an electric vehicle and an unattended utility outlet energized the gossip mill in the 400-person eastern Montana town last week.
Hi-tech Stevensville factory doubles down on automation
Investing in robotics has helped Glacier Tool, which specializes in small firearm components, keep its second-generation family business growing despite Montana’s tight labor market.
Property taxes, explained — with pictures
Property values have risen dramatically in Montana, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pay higher property taxes. Here’s why.
Are your property taxes going up? Tell us about it.
Reappraisal notices are heading to Montana homeowners, many of whom are seeing double-digit increases. Help us report on the shift.
Childcare is scarce and spendy. Here’s what Montana lawmakers are doing about it
New childcare laws, including a spending measure signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte this week, expand subsidies and deregulate small home-based daycares.
How the 2023 Legislature tried to tackle Montana’s housing crunch
Lawmakers hope pro-construction zoning and a $225 million spending package will ease the state’s affordability woes. Did they go far enough?
Attempt at housing compromise emerges in Legislature’s final days
Proposal would spend $175 million on housing infrastructure, mortgage assistance and rent-restricted apartment projects. Amid late-session political tensions, it may face an uphill climb.
GOP broadband bill advances as Dem proposal stalls
Bill sets framework for spending as much as $700 million in federal money to close rural Montana connectivity gaps.
Pro-housing zoning bills advance, but big funding remains in limbo
Both the House and Senate have endorsed zoning bills intended to ease Montana’s housing crunch by simplifying construction. But spending bills have a less certain road.
House brings down Gianforte’s ‘HOMES Act’
Governor-backed proposal would have put $200 million toward infrastructure to aid Montana’s housing crunch, but attracted Republican and Democratic opposition in the House Monday.
Democrats pitch $500 million housing trust fund
Bill would put state dollars into subsidies for housing set at prices affordable to low-income residents.
Broadband spending sideboards get initial House approval
Bill would address criticisms of the state program that allocates hundreds of millions toward rural internet connectivity.
Land planning overhaul would prioritize proactive urban planning
Bill would require high-level analysis of urban housing needs, limit project-specific public comment.
Affordable housing advocates push to put state dollars toward price-controlled housing
It is unclear if Gov. Greg Gianforte, who has pushed market-centric solutions to Montana’s housing crunch, will support bills backed by the Montana Housing Coalition.
Bill would let cities tax Airbnbs to subsidize long-term rentals
Revenues would let local governments pay property owners to rent to permanent residents.
Landlords push back on pro-tenant, mobile-home park bills
Bills would require advance notice of sales to help community ownership bids, extend eviction timelines.
Bill would force Montana cities to allow smaller home lots
House Bill 337 would dictate a minimum lot size of 2,500 square feet anywhere with city water and sewer connections in an effort to promote less expensive housing.
Bill would require rental application fee refunds
Supporters say the fees are a barrier for renters in competitive markets.
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