The Missoulian gets it right on rebates for renters

In today's Missoulian, the editors give a common-sense opinion on the the proposals of some lawmakers to give property tax rebates to renters.

They correctly note: "If it's property tax relief, then rebates logically belong to the owners of property." Still left out is the fact that the Democrat plan would restrict tax rebates to homeowners, leaving the owners of rental housing and other commercial property without tax relief, even though they have been paying the same rates. Montana Headlines has discussed this before.

The editors suggest an honest way for proponents to get a piece of the pie: "if they want it, they really ought to campaign for the money to be distributed in some form - say, as some kind of per-capita payment."